Melanie Conn

I recommend Melanie to anyone considering hiring a doula for their birth journey. She is knowledgeable, warm, approachable, and brought a sense of humor that helped us through an intense experience. She made my wife feel seen, understood, supported, and comforted in exactly the ways she needed throughout labor. When challenges arose, Melanie advocated for us. As the birth partner, her presence allowed me to focus on supporting my wife instead of trying to manage every conversation with the many providers coming and going from our room. She allowed me to simply be present. When labor took an unexpected turn and my wife was wheeled away for a C section, Melanie was there for me during one of the most difficult moments of the experience. Her support, expertise, and compassion made an immeasurable difference for our family, and we are incredibly grateful to have had her by our side. We trust Melanie implicitly, and we'd hire her again in a heartbeat.

- Nathan

Hiring Melanie as our birth doula was one of the best decisions my husband and I made my entire pregnancy. Initially we made the choice to hire Melanie as a guide to our birthing experience as first time parents, what Melanie became was so much more than that. Melanie became our friend, our tenacious advocate and a great source of comfort during a traumatic birthing journey. Melanie clearly loves and was meant to be a doula.

- Emma

I was on the fence about hiring a doula. I was on a tight budget & not sure how much of a difference one person could make. But when we first met with Melanie, we were sold. She was my doula for both of my births & I don't know how to put into words what she's meant to our family. With my first pregnancy, she guided me through the entire process, making me feel seen & heard in a way I hadn't expected. She never let my "high" BMI or age become a headline, armed me with evidence-based info & advocated for me as a whole person. She also coached my anxious husband (who really wanted to support me but wasn't sure how) on how to support the birth instead of spiraling. It made such a difference for us both. When a newer nurse was fumbling & making me anxious, Melanie quietly & kindly got my team switched out so I could stay focused. Her voice was what calmed me through that labor. I looked at her face for strength when my daughter came into the world. We knew immediately we'd want her for every birth. When we found out we were pregnant again, she was the first person we told. My 2nd birth happened fast. I was already crowning when we got to the hospital & she jumped into action immediately, working with the midwife & nurses to get the birth I wanted so I could stay focused. I had the unmedicated birth I'd hoped for & because of her, my husband knew exactly how to support me during the birth on his own & we felt connected. I've had two very different births & feel empowered by both. I've talked to her almost every day since & she's become a friend. Our family is complete and we won't need a birth doula again, but she's someone I'll cherish in our lives forever. If you want someone who will protect you, advocate for you, really SEE you, & guide you through one of the most intense experiences of your life, you couldn't ask for anyone better.

- Alisa

Working with Melanie was the right and best decision for my family. I was initially nervous to seek our doula services - trusting someone else with such an intimate life event was intimidating to me. The minute I met her, I could sense that she was there to guide me to trust MYSELF. She had a calm, hilarious, welcoming energy that included both my partner and I in everything since the initial meeting. When my husband and I walked out, we knew immediately she was someone we wanted on our team. Throughout my entire pregnancy, I sent voice notes, texts, labs and any concern or victory (yay passing glucose test!) to Melanie who cheered me on, guided me, and held space for me to be vulnerable. My baby came 4 weeks early during the infamous January ice storm in RVA, I called Melanie at 5 am, staying in contact with her and met her at the hospital when she could sense I was in active labor. She was there for us in a frantic moment of, "shit, is this really it?" with her bright smile, hilarious sarcasm, and calm manner. She is the reason our baby girl is in this world healthy and happy - knowing everyone on the L&D floor, asking questions, pushing back to advocate my needs when Dr suggested interventions early, confident I could do this on my own without harming baby. She is the reason my daughter is here. I cannot thank her enough for being a part of our little family. She guided my husband, coached him throughout labor, and held my hand when I was scared and thought I wanted to give up. She even understood that I am an extreme germaphobe and cleaned everything down for me in the hospital (lol). As each month goes by and our daughter gets older, we think of Melanie and send her a message of gratitude - because truly we are so grateful we made the decision to have her through pregnancy, birth and now as family. We love you Mel! I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend her as a doula.

- Asma Ali

Going into this experience, we weren’t even sure if we wanted a doula or fully understood the value a doula could bring. Choosing to work with Melanie and Katherine from myBirth ended up being one of the best decisions we made. From the start, she brought a calm, reassuring presence that immediately put us at ease and helped us feel confident and supported. We were able to develop a bond prior to labor that allowed me to feel so comfortable by the time the Big Day finally arrived. From the moment we started working together and onward, Melanie’s knowledge, intuition, and steady guidance were invaluable. She anticipated needs we didn't always know we had as first time parents, offered thoughtful reassurance, and advocated for our wishes in a way that felt seamless and empowering. She created a space that felt safe, respectful, and deeply supportive during such a special and vulnerable time. We are forever grateful for the role Melanie played in welcoming our baby and supporting our transition as a family. She showed us the true value of having a doula, and we cannot recommend her highly enough. We look forward to working together again when that time comes <3

- Lidiana

Melanie recently assisted me as my doula at the birth of my second child. She was present for most of the 50 hours between my hospital admission and the birth, and stayed afterward until I felt comfortable and stable. She and my friend who was present with me at my birth made me feel supported and cared for throughout the entire process and I could relax as much as was possible knowing she had my back the whole time. Her presence made the long process before active labor feel fun and not scary even as we navigated some non-ideal events. Her knowledge was essential to inform and contextualize choices I made throughout the process, and helped me remember that I had the power to make the medical choices I wanted. Melanie is also a wizard for the coaching and support through the hard parts, for active labor and pushing, and knew exactly what to give to me or say to help me through tough moments. Then she was able to celebrate with me when my daughter was born and I didn't have to worry too much about how the medical team was working on my PPH and stitching because I knew Melanie was watching them carefully. 100/10.

- Katie M

We love Melanie!!! From the very beginning of my pregnancy, Melanie brought such a calm, reassuring energy that I instantly felt comfortable and cared for. Throughout my pregnancy, she was an incredible source of knowledge and support. She helped me feel informed and prepared without ever overwhelming me. Midway through my pregnancy, I made the difficult decision to switch providers, and that process felt so overwhelming at the time. Melanie helped me navigate it with steadiness and reassurance. She gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and reminded me that I deserved care that aligned with my values and comfort level. Throughout my pregnancy, she was a constant source of knowledge, comfort, and calm. She answered every question I had with patience and clarity, helping me feel informed and confident as things evolved. When labor began, I felt prepared and at peace knowing she would be by my side. I went into labor planning to go unmedicated, but things didn’t unfold the way I expected, and Melanie was right there, reassuring me and helping me navigate every decision with so much compassion and understanding. When I decided to get the epidural, she was nothing but supportive and encouraging. Her encouragement and presence helped me feel empowered and at peace with my choices, even when the path shifted. I never once felt like I’d failed or lost control. Because of her guidance, I felt informed, confident, and truly at peace with each choice I made. Looking back, I can’t imagine having gone through it without her. She brought so much calm, warmth, and strength to the entire experience, and I’ll always be grateful for the care she gave me and my family.

- Taryn

We loved having Melanie as our doula! From the first interview, her sense of humor and knowledge about the pregnancy and the birth process put my husband and I at ease. She was a helpful part of our care team throughout my pregnancy, and really made us feel most supported with the weeks leading up to our daughter's birth which were extremely challenging. Melanie offered us guidance and reassurance when we needed it most. She was there for me and my husband during the labor and birth and made us feel empowered and grounded through a vulnerable experience. Work with Melanie! You won't regret it.

- Daniella Tailor

One of the best decisions we ever made around our pregnancy was having Melanie be our doula. Since it was our first baby, my husband and I set out to have a doula who not only provided us reassurance and knowledge, but confidence in making the right decisions for us and our baby throughout the pregnancy & delivery, which we received 10 fold with Melanie. She constantly offered positive, reasonable support to any of our questions, concerns, and doubts, while also asking open ended questions to help us make decisions that made the most sense for us. In a world where information is on overload, especially as a new parent, it’s easy to feel conflicted around what you think is best. to have that guidance in Melanie was worth its weight in gold. In terms of the actual delivery, it made all the difference having Melanie there. She not only provided the physical support through labor, but equally helped guide us and advocate for our health & wellbeing throughout the entire experience. And after our son was born, she continued to provide us with endless support during the first few weeks, when it all feels like a blur. We encourage anyone that’s a parent to be, especially those worrywarts like us, to consider Melanie, as it truly will make your journey into parenthood all the more positive for you and your family!

- Sheridan Jones

We interviewed more than a few doulas, but as soon as we talked to Melanie, I knew she would be the right fit for us! Before labor & birth, she answered every question I had, explained options, and listened to all of my fears and anxieties surrounding birth. During labor, she was a godsend! She decorated the room with fairy lights, candles, and a calming scent, she was present for all major decision making during my induction, and helped me understand what choice I had every step of the way. She guided everyone in the room to best serve me while I was experiencing painful contractions and couldn’t necessarily think or express what I might need next. Postpartum, she sat with me while I recounted my birth story and helped fill in any missing pieces, she changed my baby’s diaper, helped him to get latched, and checked in on us to see how we were doing. I will forever be grateful that she was our doula and would recommend her to everyone if I could! My birthing experience was the perfect calm that it was, in part, because she was there and managing the room and my needs.

- Samantha Pettican

Melanie was incredibly supportive and knowledgeable throughout the final stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I did not have the easiest birth, and I can't imagine how much harder it would have been without her there. I ended up going down a very different path than what I had envisioned as far as interventions go, and she was my cheerleader every step of the way, reminding me that there's no wrong way to give birth. She was an amazing support person to both myself and my partner, and I'm incredibly thankful for her presence and guidance. Thank you Melanie!!

- Hadleigh

I knew within the first 5 minutes of talking with Melanie in our initial interview that I wanted her to be our doula. As a first time mom, there were so many unfamiliar feelings of pregnancy happening in my body and uncertainty about labor and delivery swirling through my mind. In just our first meeting, after listening to Melanie’s own story and having conversation sparked by her set of intentional, value-driven questions for my me and my husband, she started to feel like a familiar friend and was already beginning to make me feel empowered and validated amidst the uncertainty. Over the next 6 months, Melanie was a constant resource of emotional and educational support. When I reached my due date and started experiencing some produrmal labor signs, her support heightened. On one particularly tough morning when I was struggling mentally, she offered to come over to our house to get eyes on me and talk through all I was feeling and thinking. She sat with me, listened, and asked questions that made me remember my power and voice in a time when I felt confused and out of control. My son was born 5 days later, 3 days shy of a 42 week induction. My labor was intense and fast, but Melanie was calm and steady. Melanie is goofy, honest, compassionate, competent, and the best advocate I could have asked for. She's also now a forever friend. She made us feel comfortable and supported from day one. I cannot imagine the journey without Melanie, and am so thankful I don’t have to.

- Molly

This review is long overdue. Melanie has been such a blessing to us as we prepared for, delivered and experienced parenthood this last year. As I sit here reflecting on the past 11 months we've shared with our son, I can't help but think about all the ways in which I am grateful for Melanie. She is such a compassionate person who has an amazing sense of humor, is wicked smart and fiercely protective. Her composure as I labored was such a calming, comforting energy that made me feel so safe. Her intuition and experience in this space is so skilled that I owe it to her for allowing me the vision I had of laboring in the peace of my own home for as long as possible, and getting me to the hospital just in time to welcome our beautiful son. The ways in which she supported me during my delivery is something I'll never forget. She matched my humor in between contractions, put on her mama bear hat on during the challenging moments and was a constant reassurance through the very last push. I am so grateful for the amazing pictures and videos she captured so my husband and I could live fully in the present with our son in those first few moments, and I can now relive those magical, beautiful moments any time I choose now. Her care did not stop there- Melanie continued to show her support in the days/weeks/months following- whether it was stopping by for a home visit or sending a text checking in. Melanie goes above and beyond her role as a doula, and she will forever hold space in my family's hearts for being the amazing and talented person she is. We love you, Melanie! Thank you <3

- Kendall Morris

Melanie is an absolute super star and I could not have had the wonderful birth experience that I had without her help. After a traumatic birth experience with our first, my husband and I decided we would like additional support for our second pregnancy/birth and hired Melanie. She showed such empathy and understanding about my anxieties around the birth of baby #2 during our initial conversations that I knew she would be a great match for our needs. Melanie showed unwavering support and advocacy for my birthing goals of having a VBAC with as few medical interventions as possible. The materials and resources she shared throughout pregnancy were incredibly helpful and it felt like chatting with a friend every time we checked in. She kept my spirits up and my frustrations in check during the week of prodromal labor I had leading up to the birth, and kept me calm and focused during my very(!) short 3 hour labor and delivery. I tend to panic in situations of stress so she made sure we knew exactly what to do and where to go when it was clear that things were moving FAST, which was a huge support. She was extremely prepared with tools to aid in the laboring process and made sure to not only support me throughout the process but my husband as well. She took pictures of the birth that I will cherish forever and made sure that we felt settled and supported after the birth. I am eternally grateful to her for helping me achieve the beautiful unmedicated VBAC birth experience that I so desperately wanted. Melanie communicates with kindness, compassion, and humor, and is a relentless force of advocacy for her clients. I can’t recommend her enough!!

- Liz Z

Melanie is absolutely amazing! I could not have gone through my pregnancy and postpartum journey without her! Throughout it all she was so in tune to my needs before I even realized what I needed. She helped my husband and I feel so comfortable and confident through the entire pregnancy and postpartum experience. We love her so much! She truly is the best advocate you can ask for and quickly becomes your best friend. I had the most positive and wonderful birthing experience because of her. We cracked jokes throughout birth. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! She's the absolute best!!

- Julia

To say that Melanie was an incredible doula falls woefully short of the experience we've had with her bringing our baby girl into the world. Melanie was our guide and partner across so many different areas of birth, labor, and beyond that we could not possibly hope to effectively capture in a brief testimonial here. From the outset, Melanie's primary concern was to get to know us and our story, and to deeply understand our goals, concerns, blindspots, and fears around our daughter's birth. She never pushed for us to take a specific direction in terms of a birth plan, and was clear that she would support, regardless of the specific direction we wanted to take. She helped us in developing a birth plan that felt right for our circumstances and goals, and demystified the process of labor and delivery in a way that made us feel calm and confident going in. She was an incredible partner and advocate during our time in the hospital. She went above and beyond to make sure we were as comfortable as possible in our room, made herself available to answer our questions and provide coaching in the middle of the night as we progressed through early labor, and was there at our side as a guide and champion during active labor and pushing. After the birth of our child, Melanie continued to stand by us and provide invaluable coaching and wisdom on what we should expect in the early days out of the hospital. She's continued to make herself available by text message for random questions and panicked brain darts as they come up, and has helped us tremendously in sorting through the beautiful mess of life with a newborn. Beyond all of that, Melanie is a fun, funny, and wonderful human. We genuinely feel that we could not have gotten here without Melanie. Working with her as our doula was one of the best life decisions we’ve ever made.

- Mariana C.

We had such a wonderful experience working with Melanie as our birth doula. This was our first baby, so my husband and I did not know what to expect from the journey, but we knew we needed someone to guide us. Melanie was instrumental in making my childbirth goals a reality - we genuinely couldn’t have done it without her! We knew instantly that Melanie would be the right person for us after meeting with her. My husband and I are both pretty low key so we knew that we’d need someone to give us direction and support. Melanie was invaluable throughout the pregnancy journey. She was always available for our questions or concerns and helped us with evidence-based advice and support. It was so comforting to have someone to turn to with the million thoughts and questions that come up. Melanie was so patient and understanding of our feelings as first-time parents. One of my favorite things about Melanie is how nonjudgmental she is. She is the human embodiment of a ‘safe space’. Pregnancy/childbirth is such a vulnerable time, and it was so amazing to have a support system that I felt comfortable with. I knew that she would have my back and advocate for me no matter what I chose or how things unfolded. This was especially important for me because I had very little family support during my pregnancy/birth. It meant so much to know she was there for me. Melanie was a rockstar during the birth experience. She helped guide me through different positions when needed, reminded me of helpful coping skills, and was extremely hands-on with her support during labor. We chose to have an unmedicated hospital birth, and it was so wonderful to have someone there who (1) had experienced this all before, and (2) was not a staff member of the hospital. Melanie worked great with the hospital staff and made sure I had the information and time I needed when making different choices in the process. I was also amazed by how much Melanie’s presence helped my husband and his ability to support me during the experience. During pregnancy, he really liked having someone to run questions by and get feedback from. During labor, it was so helpful for him to have another person he knew & trusted in the room to support me. Melanie also supported him significantly - from reminding him to take a break and eat something to giving suggestions during labor. Afterwards my husband said that hiring Melanie was the best choice we made! We cannot recommend Melanie enough - she is such a wonderful person and exactly who you need in a room with you during labor. Her confidence, energy, and care are unmatched. I know I wouldn’t have been able to have the same experience without her and we are forever grateful for all her help!

- Shayna H.

There truly aren't enough words to describe our experience with Melanie as our doula. From the very minute that I sent in my inquiry form, I knew I had chosen the right doula to be on this journey of pregnancy and postpartum with. Melanie has a very calming aura about her but will also never hesitate to speak up and advocate for you. Melanie not only served as our doula, but as a confidant, 24/7 support system, educator, and now, our forever family. I will always recommend Melanie to any and everyone. You won't regret the decision of hiring her to support you along your journey to motherhood!

- Hala L.

When finding out we were expecting, there was no doubt that hiring a doula would be one of the most important investments we could make. After a few interviews, we selected Melanie with MyBirth to guide us as first time parents on our journey. I had a plan to achieve an unmedicated birth in a hospital setting. Melanie was an essential part of making my dream labor and delivery experience happen! Melanie is sincere, wise, and has a true gift as a doula to be the support you and your partner need when navigating labor and delivery. We were able to labor at home comfortably and make it to the hospital at the perfect time, making it possible for me to have the least amount of interventions possible and achieve an unmedicated birth. She kept my husband calm and reassured when labor started to pick up. She was available to answer any questions we had from the initial meeting to our postpartum visit. We will both continue to sing her praises for years to come for all the love and support she provided to us. We couldn't have asked for a better first time experience. I can't wait to do it all again with Melanie by our side in the future! If you are looking for a doula who will hear you out, offer suggestions and knowledge as the expert she is, and make you feel empowered- look no further! 

- Marissa S.

Melanie was just what we needed, and more. We truly got along on a deeply personal level, and that was just the beginning. It made for easy conversation about questions and concerns we had. She was always available for check in and responded pretty quickly every time with intentional answers or more questions for clarification. We greatly appreciate her ability to decode a situation as there are so many variables to pregnancy and birth. She is truly someone we grew to trust and love, making it extra special for her to be a part of the birth. The support from her was sincerely felt throughout labor. She has experience in having attended so many births but never once did we feel like we were just a number. That takes a special skill as a doula to balance gained wisdom while creating space for a client to know their experience is unique. We are so grateful for you Melanie!

- Megan Holland

Thanks to one of my midwives, my partner and I decided to look into hiring a doula. Once we found Melanie’s profile we had a feeling we had found our perfect match - an experienced doula who we would feel safe with as a queer/trans couple. We set a call and sure enough we were right! From that evening forward she was always available by text to talk about anything on our minds - nothing ever felt too silly to ask. As the weeks went on she lent us resources, met with us in person to get to know our birth wishes, debriefed midwife appointments, and made suggestions on how to deal with new and surprising pregnancy symptoms. Our birth wishes largely revolved around having an unmedicated vaginal birth but we ended up with an induction and an emergency cesarean birth. For both the induction and birth Melanie was there with short notice and overly prepared with tools to aid the process. After the surgery she comforted my partner and stayed by my side advocating for my care when I was having difficulty with the recovery process. Melanie showed me pictures and videos of my baby in the NICU and got me up to see them as soon as possible. She documented me meeting my baby and took a video of my midwife reviewing my placenta before it was sent to pathology. Melanie came to visit us in the hospital and then again once we were settled at home continuing to aid in adjusting to the care of our little one while processing our experience. As we look ahead to future pregnancies we know we have found our doula as well as someone who will be a lifelong friend to our family. We highly recommend working with Melanie during your next birth experience!

- Mel Sears

There truly aren't enough words to describe our experience with Melanie as our doula. From the very minute that I sent in my inquiry form, I knew I had chosen the right doula to be on this journey of pregnancy and postpartum with. Melanie has a very calming aura about her but will also never hesitate to speak up and advocate for you. Melanie not only served as our doula, but as a confidant, 24/7 support system, educator, and now, our forever family. I will always recommend Melanie to any and everyone. You won't regret the decision of hiring her to support you along your journey to motherhood!

- Hala Lucas

We had the immense pleasure of working with Melanie as our doula, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her support throughout the birth of our daughter, Lily. From the very beginning, Melanie was engaged and hands-on in preparing us for the journey ahead. Her calm and steady guidance, even before we were admitted to the hospital, helped ease our anxiety and set us up for success. Once we were admitted, Melanie’s communication was exceptional. She kept us informed every step of the way, explaining what was happening and what to expect next. Her ability to navigate the complexities of our situation, especially when we hit a few difficult and tense moments, made all the difference. She was right there with us, offering reassurance and helping to interpret the information we were receiving from the medical staff. This was especially comforting when our daughter was moved to the NICU; Melanie’s support didn’t stop. She visited us in the hospital, checked in on Lily, and continued to offer invaluable guidance and encouragement. Melanie’s expertise, compassion, and unwavering support made an incredibly challenging time so much more manageable, and we couldn’t have done it without her. We are forever grateful for her presence during this transformative experience.

- Ashley & Ross A.

Melanie was such an amazing support to me and my husband during our pregnancy and delivery. She was caring, knowledgeable, a good advocate, and has a great sense of humor. When I was admitted 5 weeks early, she made several trips to visit us in the hospital and helped us feel more at ease. During labor, she provided a good balance of suggestions and calming presence, but also gave us space to have some alone time as well. We ended up delivering at 36 weeks to our amazing little girl. We can't imagine doing this without the support of Melanie.

- Sarah Jones

We were lucky enough to have Melanie support me and my husband for the birth of our second baby. My water broke unexpectedly at 35w3d and I was emotionally wrecked; I was terrified of an induction and knew my baby would be born premature. The emotional support Melanie provided was so valuable and transformed a very anxious induction into a birth experience I will never forget-- and it was absolutely perfect. Melanie fiercely supported me through every step of the induction and also cheered me on when I was ready for an epidural. She encouraged me and helped me advocate for myself during the process and was a friend and shoulder to cry on when I was overwhelmed with the uncertainty of what was on the other side. Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for the support Melanie provided during my labor and delivery. We gained a lifelong friend and she will always be part of a birth story and memory we will hold close to our hearts forever.

- Emily Mothershead

Melanie was such a wonderful support in both my pregnancy and birth (and continues to be a support). I was nervous to bring someone into my birth experience as it can be an incredibly vulnerable situation. I found that I instantly clicked with Melanie and and all of my nerves were calmed because she proved to be personable and quick. I’m so glad I had her on my team and could not recommend her enough. She is such warm person, a great listener, incredibly respectful and really cares about her clients. I cannot be more grateful for her knowledge that she shared with both me and my partner to support us. I knew going into my birth that I was equipped with someone who was ready and willing to do whatever I needed to feel supported and to have the birth I wished for.

- Katherine Long

Melanie is amazing!! She is so genuine and quickly earned my trust. Her accessibility and support thought pregnancy was phenomenal and helped it feel like having an insanely knowledgeable BFF at the birth who always knew just what to do and say. Melanie keeps everything low pressure and amazingly nonjudgmental. I had a doula for my first birth and knew that having a doula was worth it but Melanie is above and beyond. I feel so fortunate to have her as our doula for life ❤️

- Molly

After a difficult first birth (induction turned c section), my husband and I decided to explore doula options for our second child. We met with Melanie and instantly felt at ease, despite being a high risk pregnancy. Mel was there for us **every** step of the way as a resource to talk to after MFM appointments and when my inclination was to do a bit too much Googling. Her compassionate nature and ability to calmly interpret what my medical team was sharing helped me to respond and advocate for myself. I went into labor naturally with baby 2 and Mel met us at the hospital, helping me through advocating for a birth team change and IV placement (I have a pretty severe needle phobia). She set up our room beautifully, talked me through what to expect and then let me continue on with my labor overnight, knowing she'd join us again when I needed more support. My TOLAC, though not resulting in a VBAC, was such a healing experience with Mel there as she guided us on counter pressure, labor positions, and helped me stay focused on my goals. When I decided to get an epidural at 8 cm she talked me through my decision, and ultimately when I needed a second cesarean, she was such a positive addition to the operating room. She held my hand, took photos, and kept me calm while I was closed and my husband was spending time with our new baby! Mel will support you in ANYTHING. She is a wonderful advocate, friend, and the best addition to your birth team that I could imagine.

- Anne Austin Strader

Our experience having Melanie as our doula was nothing short of amazing. When my water broke spontaneously one evening she helped ease my mind about when to go to the hospital. My husband and I probably would have panicked and gone way too early if not for her guidance! I was able to stay home and sleep/labor through the night. When we finally decided to go to the hospital the next morning, Melanie had already been there with another client since 5:00AM but that didn't stop her from staying as long as I needed her once things started ramping up (spoiler alert, I had a looooonnngg labor). She got the room set up so it was incredibly calming. Unfortunately my baby was positioned so that I was experiencing back labor and Melanie coached and helped with positions to try to get him to move. When I decided to change my mind about going unmedicated and instead get an epidural, there was absolutely nothing but support in my decision from Melanie. When I was also faced with the decision to use Pitocin when labor was stalling after 24 hours, she helped me make that call when I was unsure. She got rid of the unknowns and uncertainties that we would have faced if we didn't have her. She was a fierce advocate and support person and finally after 30+ hours, our baby boy was delivered vaginally unassisted! I will be forever grateful we had her by our side during this experience and can't imagine doing it without her!

- Emily

We had a wonderful experience working with Melanie as our doula. This was our 1st baby, so my husband and I didn't know what to expect. Melanie was instrumental in making my childbirth goals a reality - we couldn’t have done it without her! We knew instantly that Melanie would be the right person for us. My husband and I are both pretty low key & knew that we’d need someone to give us direction and support. Melanie was invaluable throughout the pregnancy journey. She was always available for our questions & helped us with evidence-based advice & support. One of my favorite things about Melanie is how nonjudgmental she is. She is the human embodiment of a ‘safe space’. Pregnancy/childbirth is such a vulnerable time, and it was great to have a support system that I felt comfortable with. I knew that she would advocate for me no matter what I chose. Melanie was a rockstar during the birth experience. She guided me through different positions, reminded me of coping skills, & was very hands-on during labor. We chose an unmedicated hospital birth, and it was so great to have someone there who could guide us. Melanie’s presence also helped my husband so much during the experience. He loved having someone to run questions by and get feedback from. During labor, it was so helpful for him to have another person he knew & trusted in the room to support me. Melanie also supported him significantly - from reminding him to eat something to giving suggestions during labor. Afterwards my husband said that hiring Melanie was the best choice we made! We cannot recommend Melanie enough - she is such a wonderful person and exactly who you need in a room with you during labor. Her confidence, energy, and care are unmatched. My experience wouldn't have been the same without her and we are forever grateful for all her help!

- Shayna Higgins