Melanie Conn Birth & Postpartum Doula in Richmond, VA

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 intimiate 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, hilariou 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 reccomend 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 husbandr 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

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

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.

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. If you are looking for a doula who is not only knowledgeable and professional but also genuinely caring and supportive, we wholeheartedly recommend Melanie.

— 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 in to 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 pregnanancy 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

A guiding voice, a strong advocate, and someone who is the definition of trusting birth. I used Melanie for my second baby (first homebirth), and I can’t imagine my memories and pictures without Mel in them. Do you ever feel yourself being spoken to poorly by a medical provider and you hate confrontation so you just deal with it? Mel is the person that you can talk to and they will a) validate b) give evidence based guidance c) hold space for you to remember your power and make the right decision for you and your family. There were some difficult moments over this pregnancy, and never once did I feel alone or backed into a corner. I had time, and was able to take a breath thanks to Mel. Memories that will stick with me include the simple guidance when I was about to meet my baby that I should listen to my body to guide him slowly earthside. The best big knowledgeable sister vibes you can get.

— CMM

Hired Melanie for the birth of our son. From the moment I met her, I knew she was the right person for me. She's confident, straight forward, knowledge, kind, compassionate and just the person you need by your side during the vulnerable birth process. She answered calls and texts and always was willing to go above and beyond for us. I always tell her, there's no way I could have done this without you. If you're looking for someone to be an advocate for you and support you with whatever birth plans you may have and or want, Melanie is the doula for you. She is a gem and the most loving person. I'm happy to call her and friend, and more importantly, family. We love Melanie so much and cannot think of anyone else we would have wanted to share this experience with. Thank you Melanie!

— Taylor Hickok

I was lucky to get Melanie as my back up doula when my own was held up at another birth during part of my labor for my twins. Melanie started staying in contact with us by text as soon as we knew our doula was likely going to be with her other client. She was immensely helpful in answering questions, helping me make decisions about my care plan, and making me feel supported. When things became more intense during labor, my doula and Melanie decided in-person support was needed, and so Melanie came to the hospital. She arrived during a tense moment, but immediately came in, got to work advocating for me, and made me feel at ease. She ensured I had all the supplies I needed, that I understood what had happened so far, and we talked through what was to come. Though my own doula was able to get to the hospital not much later, I know I would have been in excellent hands had Melanie been my support for the remainder of labor and delivery. Anyone would be lucky to get her fierce advocacy, warmth, and knowledge at their birth. We are so grateful for her and consider her an important part of our birth story!

— Kelsey B

We had an amazing experience with Mel as our doula! From the moment we met her, we loved her energy, genuineness, knowledge, and humor. She did a really great job of hearing, validating, and supporting us throughout the entire process while also asking and getting us to sit with the "hard" questions that come up in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. I had initially planned for an unassisted labor and delivery, but we ended up having an induction for medical issues that came up after my due date and Mel was an incredible support with this process. I know she would say otherwise, but I don't know how we could have done it without her. In the thick of labor when I wanted to give up, she encouraged me with words and her presence and supported me with comfort measures and distraction skills. After 36 hours, our little one was born and I can confidently say that I had a great birth experience overall and a beautiful golden hour with our little one. We would highly recommend Mel!

— Jess Smith

Melanie was so helpful to us as first time parents! We knew from our first interview that she was the right match for us. She was incredibly sensitive to helping us work through pregnancy after miscarriage. Melanie is always available by text and quick to respond with any concerns, joys, or challenges you may want to share. We appreciated having her help to develop a birth plan. During labor, she was instrumental in ensuring that the plan was honored at the hospital. She is a straightforward communicator, and will be your biggest advocate. Thank you, Melanie, for making our birth experience an empowering and satisfying one that we wouldn't change for the world!

— Sara

Melanie was such a wonderful support system through my pregnancy, during labor and delivery, as well as postpartum! From the beginning, Melanie helped us feel more at ease as first time parents who didn't know what to expect. Melanie is super responsive via text, which was so helpful in the many times of uncertainty. During one of our conversations where we were laughing around and joking, Melanie said she could tell that we'd have fun during my labor and delivery which helped me be more relaxed! Melanie also provided us many tips and insights throughout which helped us be prepared for the unknown. Once I went into labor and was having contractions, Melanie helped talk me through them over the phone and in person once she arrived at our house. I could tell I was coping with the contractions so much better with her direction, support, and encouragement. Having Melanie with us as we got to the hospital and got settled helped us know what to expect during each step of the way. When I was having a difficult time pulling together the strength to keep going during pushing, Melanie reassured me that she knew I could do it. She also advocated for some adjustments which ultimately helped me be able to push through and give birth to our beautiful baby girl! We are so grateful for all of Melanie's support through our journey -- we know it would not have been the same without her!

— Diana

My husband and I hired Melanie as our doula and we are so incredibly glad we did. Melanie was a huge part of why my birth experience was positive and empowering and we would 100% choose her all over again. Prior to childbirth, Melanie stayed in touch, checked in frequently as my due date approached, and answered questions as we considered options if labor did not start spontaneously. I went into labor early Christmas morning and Melanie talked my husband and me through things on the phone all night and arrived at our house to support us laboring at home as long as possible. I don't think I would have stayed at home that long otherwise and I am so glad I did, as I was able to move around more and be more comfortable in my environment. She was an incredible advocate for us at the hospital, getting me to the labor tub and switching midwives when we weren't pleased with the one we met. I ended up requesting an epidural and Melanie was 100% supportive, she supported me through labor without one and supported me with one. I felt totally empowered the entire time. The epidural stalled labor quite a bit and Melanie went home to rest while we rested, but was easily accessible by phone for all conversations and she came back once we started getting things moving. She provided much needed support and positivity during pushing and checked in on us regularly early postpartum. A doula is an absolute must for every birthing person and we are so thankful to have Melanie on our side!

— Shravya

Melanie was our doula for the birth of our first child, she provided both myself and my partner with amazing support. I ended up with pre-eclampsia, I was scared as a first time mom and had family hovering; Melanie was there to provide support and keep me calm. She helped us stay informed during the induction so we knew what would happen and how we could keep advocating for ourselves. She helped my husband out a lot throughout labor, providing him with support as well when he needed it. Melanie came in clutch when I started feeling the urge to push and we weren't sure if I was 10cm yet, she got the midwife in to double check, which saved me from an unnecessary epidural! Post partum she was always available to help if we had any questions, even though she had another birth less than 24hrs after ours. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a down-to-earth, kind hearted and supportive doula. I will definitely be calling her when we are having our next child!

— Elizabeth Taylor

Melanie is a fantastic doula! We knew as soon as we interviewed her that she was who we wanted to support us through this process as we instantly felt comfortable with her and appreciated her calming presence, honesty and humor. Melanie frequently checked in on me during my pregnancy and was readily available to address my questions and concerns. She brought up things I would not have considered on my own to add to my birth plan. When my labor started I felt more confident with her guiding us through the early stages. When I was struggling through contractions later on she helped to keep me grounded and provided reassurance. She also captured the birth of our daughter and some sweet moments of the three of us afterwards that we cherish having. I feel very fortunate having had the birth I wanted to and am so thankful to Melanie for helping us along the way. I don’t know if I could have done it without her support.

— Samantha Gerstbrein

Melanie has been absolutely wonderful. From her insight to calming presence to humor, she was everything we needed throughout the late stages of pregnancy, my 32-hour labor, and afterwards. When it was a few days before my due date and I was experiencing menstrual-like cramps, Melanie coached us through the process to figure out if I was actually in labor or not. Turned out I was, and she readily met us at the VCU hospital at 2 AM. She wonderfully supported my husband and I as I labored at the hospital. In the earlier stages she set my husband up to support my labor in the shower. When the tub in the room wasn’t working, she adapted and found other ways to make labor “comfortable.” She also set up lights and scents in the room to create a cozy environment which brought me peace. When I had been in labor for 12 hours already, things were not progressing, and I was losing my focus, Melanie calmly helped me weigh the pros and cons of an epidural when the original plan was to have a physiological birth. I ended up getting the epidural and it was the right decision for where I was at. When it finally came time for pushing, Melanie supported me throughout the process and was a cheerleader from start to finish. She even captured pictures of the first several precious moments of when I finally got to meet and hold my baby. Throughout the labor and birthing process, my husband was especially appreciative of how Melanie explained what was happening as it happened, and how she engaged him to help him know how to support me. Since giving birth, Melanie has continued to check in on us. She helped me process my birth experience, which while didn’t go according to plan, is an experience I am happy with and I owe that to Melanie. I would absolutely work with Melanie again for future pregnancies and can’t recommend her enough!

— Rachel Souser

As a first time mom, I was notably nervous going into this pregnancy - I was scared, dealing with weird family dynamics, and had no local family/friends. Without knowing much about the doula role we interviewed with a handful of options from 2 different companies. Right away we were stunned by Melanie’s compassion and openness. So many times throughout this pregnancy, delivery and immediate postpartum period, s*** hit the fan. Melanie was my confidant and friend when I needed it the most. She helped to give me peace, knowledge, and patience. I know at first the cost may seem like a lot, but it’s spread out and the services delivered by Melanie are worth every penny (even my husband says so)!

— Katie

I worked with Melanie as my doula for the birth of my first child. She was instrumental in making my birth experience a pleasant memory where I felt very supported. Throughout my pregnancy, Melanie would regularly check in with me and offered herself as a resource. It was very helpful to have her as a sounding board as things progressed especially in knowing my options in late pregnancy regarding next steps to have the baby. I ended up having an induction and Melanie was there for all of the critical moments with a supportive hand and advice. As things progressed, she helped support me in advocating for myself to stay in the drivers seat of my birth experience. She also set a really positive tone for the entire time by bringing in colorful lights and aromatherapy. The doctors and nurses definitely noted and commented on the vibe of the room. Then much to my pleasant surprise, Melanie seamlessly supported me through pushing while capturing beautiful photos of candid moments of the birth.

— Jessee Perry

Melanie was amazing to work with, right from the get go it was like talking to a close friend. My husband and I clicked with her immediately on so many levels from evidence based practices to our hobbies we felt reassured in our prenatal and birth journey being safe and guarded with Melanie. My favorite trait of Melanie is her straight forward nature and fierce need to protect and guide her birthing clients. In the delivery room we had a shoulder to cry on and a friend to laugh with during our most intimate and vulnerable moments. Most importantly we know that we have a doula for life. Thanks so much boo!!!

— Katheryn Berkheimer-Glynn

After we chose to work with Melanie, we were comforted to learn that she has a great reputation in Richmond - with midwives at VCU and recently pregnant folks in our circles. Through our first few meetings, it felt like Melanie really heard our hopes and concerns for pregnancy and birth. [Lori] When I was 41w pregnant and annoyed, Melanie checked in and knew exactly how to be a comforting and supportive voice. We learned that my amniotic fluid was low, and Melanie texted us questions to ask so we could fully understand the situation. She arrived shortly after we were admitted for induction and held my hand as I got a difficult IV placement. She decorated the room with colorful lights and left us with impeccable vibes for the night. She returned at the perfect time the following day, just as my water was breaking and labor intensified. Melanie and my husband gave a team effort to make me feel fully supported (and even pampered) during labor. Her attention through pregnancy, labor, and post-partum was exactly the support I needed, especially as a first-time parent. [Cale] Melanie was on call and arrived as soon as we needed her. It's really disorienting to be in a room of calm medical professionals while experiencing what we perceive to be an extremely intense emergency, and Melanie helped bridge the gap between us and the hospital staff. She showed us what was normal and expected when we weren't getting immediate attention from the medical team. Melanie helped guide me to be a supportive birth partner through the most challenging times of labor, and if I felt lost, she showed me ways I could be helpful. I'm deeply grateful for my experience. Looking back, it's hard to imagine going through this without a doula, and I'm so glad Melanie was on our team.

— Lori & Cale

Mel was an essential comfort throughout my pregnancy and labor. As a ftm I had sooo many questions and she was always quick to respond and provide me with resources to feel I could make educated decisions. She also helped me be more patient after my due date since I was overdue and frustrated. I ended up having a very quick labor and feel fortunate that she was able to get pictures of the whole process. In postpartum she made up the BEST peri bottles and provided a ton of emotional support for my very rocky breastfeeding journey. I will absolutely use her again for our second when the time comes.

— Catherine

After what felt like months of research, and interviewing a few doulas around Richmond, we were relieved and excited to have Melanie Conn help us along our journey. Melanie has a genuine personality, and a very realistic and honest attitude about life, the birthing process, and what a first time mother can expect. Having now given birth to our lovely daughter, Geraldine Suzanne, and experiencing a few bumps along the way, we often wonder what it would be like going through this process without Melanie. As our doula, Melanie was our proactive advocate for learning as much information as we could from nurses and doctors. For medical reasons, we gave birth in a hospital. Here, Melanie asked questions that we did not know to ask. They were important questions. She made observations based on her wealth of experience in this field that were beyond our knowledge as first time parents. She was kind and thorough in her approach, and felt very much like a close friend or even family member as we labored toward the birth of our baby. Melanie is about finding answers while also making sure the parents and baby are comfortable and safe. She finds a way to be entirely professionally honest, asking the hard questions and delivering hard truths, yet maintains her tactful gentleness all the while. But to be frank, I would not recommend choosing a Doula based on reviews. Or based on websites. Or based on how kitschy or crunchy or cool they look. (Even though Melanie is cool. Shes a mom and a musician. A good one. Anyway.) Go interview people. Go talk to people. When you meet Melanie, you’ll know.

— Laura Stretch

Melanie wasn't our Doula but man did she come in clutch. Our sweet little baby came a week early when our primary Doula had a scheduled cesarean. Melanie came in at 5am and was an absolute godsend. She helped a struggling dad and gave structure to the early labor process. She let dad get a nap and let us know when it was time to head to the hospital. She made the labor room beautiful and set the tone for a beautiful delivery. Thank you Melanie! We love all you did!

— Stephen Mand

My spouse and I are so so happy we had Melanie through our pregnancy and birth. She offered support and knowledge when we had questions throughout the pregnancy. Then offered calmness and steadiness throughout labor and birth that helped create an incredible birth experience and made me feel safe and empowered. After two years of infertility and a miscarriage, I had grown a distrust of my body and was nervous for birth. I had decided I wanted to try for an unmedicated birth. Melanie worked with me and my spouse through labor, especially when my water broke while going into our 39 week appointment and later when I started to hit a wall at 9 centimeters. Her guidance helped me move through the wall and bring our baby into the world! Throughout she would offer suggestions, but ultimately allowed me to listen to my body and follow its cues. I am so proud of my birth experience. Both my spouse and I are so grateful for her and don't think we would have had the same experience without her!

— Robin Sawyer

Melanie is an absolute rockstar. She was kind and funny from our first interview and made it very clear what value she brought to the table as a doula (which was a contrast to other doulas we had interviewed). Once we decided to hire her she frequently checked in, offered advice, support and humor throughout the pregnancy. When it came time for labor she was incredibly supportive, helping to navigate each decsion, offer words of comfort, support and afirmation. My labor and birth experience would have been signficantly worse had Melanie not been there and I am grateful every day that she was. The post birth/delivery check-ins were also amazing, and not something all doulas offered. Melanie came to the house upon return from the hospital and then again a week or so later and was kind and a fabulous emotional support. I would hands down hire again and recommend her to anyone and everyone, she is amazing - you need her in your life.

— Ariel

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for Melanie! I checked in with her each week during my pregnancy and she always made me feel heard and understood. She suggested resources, helped me prepare questions for my provider, and put my mind at ease when I was worried. She also checked in with me from time to time to see how I was fairing mentally as I had shared with her my experience with PPD after my first pregnancy. In all our interactions I could feel how strongly she believed in me and my body. When I went into labor we were in constant communication until we ultimately met up at the hospital. She was an amazing support to both me and my husband during a very long and challenging labor. Melanie provided amazing hands-on support! It was also comforting to have her there to remind me of my preferences and prompt me to ask questions when needed. Because Melanie was so present to what was happening around me I was able to fully focus on what was happening within me. When it became clear we needed to change course and have a c-section Melanie helped me talk through this change and it was so wonderful to have her by my side in the operating room. Although my birth didn’t go as planned it was an amazing and healing experience because I surrounded myself with caring and supportive people like Melanie. Her presence is both calming and empowering and I am so grateful she is part of our story!

— Erin

My husband and I met Melanie during our introduction interview before we decided to work with her, and it was an instant connection. She is so very passionate about birth work, and it showed right from the start. Pregnancy is not kind to me and I was so uncomfortable for months, and Melanie listened to my every gripe and offered really valuable advice and tricks to help me cope until my son Ridley was born. The night I went into labor, Melanie met with me to do some work to help position Ridley better since he wasn't engaged in my pelvis yet. Contractions started while we were together and she kept in constant communication with me until I decided it was time for the hospital. During and after my labor, she was a constant source of advocacy for me. We discussed how best to bring Ridley into the world when I felt like labor wasn't progressing like it should and after he was born, she made sure I was being taken care of the way a newly postpartum mother should be taken care of. I am so glad to have met Melanie, she is an incredible doula turned friend and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone to be in their corner throughout the pregnancy and birth experience.

— Meghan Pilgrim

I can't say enough good things about Melanie! When we interviewed our doula options, Melanie was an immediate match for us. Not only does she bring a warm, comforting energy, but also a "I'll throw down if I need to." Which for us, not having family around and being our first child and pregnancy, was huge. She helped get us set up with the various classes and options available to us via MyBirth, and was in constant communication with me from the moment we signed on with her. She was available when I had questions, no matter how silly, and really understood my mental state throughout the pregnancy (which was a lot of anxiety). She was also great at keeping my partner involved with the process, and making sure that he knew he had support in this, too. When it came to the last trimester and labor/birth, she made sure we felt comfortable with all our options. We ended up having to schedule an induction for 41 weeks, which was not our initial plan. The week leading up to it she went over all the variety of induction methods to make sure we weren't surprised, and went over when she would be there and what to expect from her. She gave us perfect instructions of how to get to the hospital, where to park, and how to get to the L&D department. Which eased a lot of stress for me. During the 20 hours from being put into our room in L&D and giving birth, Melanie made the room feel cozy and safe, helped my partner be supportive and hands on, and served as a bridge between the medical staff and us - explaining things I asked about, laying out options, and making sure I felt confident in whatever decision we made. She was a critical part of our pregnancy and birth, and I don't think we would've had the same experience without her. And those feelings continued through her postpartum visits. I could say more, but I cannot recommend Melanie enough. We will forever hold her in a speical place in our hearts!

— Kathryn

I was very intentional with the doula I chose and she was definitely the woman I needed by my side. She was beyond supportive before, during and after the birth. I can't imagine my birth experience without Melanie. She validated all my feelings and I felt supported, strong and safe with her. She was great at following up with me, especially during postpartum and also helped connect me with someone to encapsulate my placenta and a lactation consultant.

— Nicole Lyne

Melanie is a wonderful doula. Not only did she help my wife through the process of childbirth, Melanie helped me, the partner, as well. As much as I thought I knew what to do, Melanie was right there with a suggestion or a tip to really help the bond between my wife and me during childbirth. Melanie gave me the confidence I needed to help in whatever way possible. Melanie is the epitome of the word doula and would recommend over and over again.

— Stephen George

Melanie is the most incredible human, friend, and doula we could ask for! She was the single best decision we made the whole pregnancy -- and by hiring her early in the process, we were able to build a wonderful relationship right from the start. In particular, I really appreciated that I could reach out to Melanie via text or phone whenever I had a question, no matter how minute. (Plus, she is hilarous, so that's a bonus!) Melanie does a great job of offering evidence-based information and supporting you in making your own decision. She spent so much time helping to prepare us for labor, showing us counter pressure positions to allevieate discomfort, and just generally managing expectations in a way that made the whole process smooth and calm. Seriously, Melanie is an amazing doula, a wonderful human, and we're so lucky to have her in our lives now!

— Ashley G.

I had my first child in 2021 and hired a doula based on one person's recommendation - it ended up not being a great fit and felt more like a business transaction than a personal relationship. For my second birth in April of 2023, I wanted a totally different experience and found Melanie through MyBirth. She was so open and warm from our fist interview, and I just had a good feeling every time I interacted with her. She was an invaluable resource throughout pregnancy, reassuring me when I had weird symptoms, and checking in after all of my appointments. I never felt like I was bothering her, even when I was constanty complaining at the end of pregnancy. I ended up having a very fast labor and birth, which would have been a million times scarier if I didn't have Melanie there to coach me and my husband through it. From saving us a parking spot at the hospital, to keeping a cold washcloth on my head, and constantly reassuring me that I could birth my baby (even without an epidural when I REALLY didn't think I could do it) she was exactly the doula that I needed and I would hire her again in a heartbeat. We love Melanie and I know I've had a much smoother postpartum period thanks to her ongoing support.

— Brittany

I am so grateful that I was able to hire Melanie as my doula. I was nervous during my pregnancy due to previous loss and IVF and she was available and generous throughout the pregnancy to provide fact- based reassurance and tips for every concern and symptom throughout. Her demeanor and experience made me feel confident and relaxed as possible going into the birth experience because I knew she would be a calm and knowledgeable resource and guide throughout. Personally she is very attentive and focused but not given to over reassuring (i e no false positivity or unsupported confidence) and that was a good match for my personality and needs. She was deft in protecting my needs during challenges during the birth and making sure I understood what was happening and what I should expect, and if there were options or changes in pace I could consider. Looking back at some of the challenges I encountered during the birth I was so grateful to have her by my side (in addition to a partner present- sometimes you really do need an experienced guide and another person to focus on your needs!) and would have felt a lot more anxious and scared navigating the process without her. The follow up care was great too.

— Katie

We had interviewed Melanie as part of our doula finding process and we loved her but went with another doula within her group due to postpartum needs we were expecting. When I went into labor my doula was unavailable due to covid and Melanie ended up stepping in as our doula, which we were happy about since we knew her and liked her in our initial conversations. Melanie was phenomenal and even more so considering she stepped in last minute. She was fully briefed on my birth experience desires, was a big advocate for me at the hospital, brought everything I needed to enhance my birth experience and has supported me postpartum as well. I couldn't recommend her more highly as a doula!

— Alyx

Melanie is a fantastic doula! My husband and I were looking for someone to help guide us on our first birthing experience, and she was the perfect guide. We always felt like we had someone to go to when we had concerns or questions regarding our birth experience. When things went different than expected, Melanie was their to help guide us through our options and provide us the supportive words of wisdom we needed. I would highly recommend Melanie to anyone who is looking for a compassion, caring, supportive, empathic and knowledgeable doula.

— Jessica Walczak

Melanie was absolutely wonderful. I instantly knew that we would get along during the interview process. I felt so comfortable with her from the beginning. She was so helpful with all my questions being a first time mom and regurlarly checked in on me. She really took the time to get to know us and make sure she understood our wants and goals and helped us develop them if we weren't sure what we wanted. I had a long and difficult labor and she brought us peace and comfort. My husband who wasn't really sure why we needed a doula is now telling all his friends that they should get one for their wives when they get pregnant. Melanie is quirky, genuine, supportive, knowledgeable, attentive, and warm-hearted. I am extremely grateful to have had her through the whole process and even now three months postpartum.

— Chloe Haynes

As I sit here snuggling my baby boy 4 weeks postpartum, I'm reflecting on everything that lead to this moment. I can honestly say, without a doubt, my husband and I would have been not just lost, but truly devastated without Melanie. We selected Melanie as our doula very early in pregnancy (like end of first trimester) based solely on connection from a video chat/interview. Kindred spirits to say the least. She was a wealth of information and support throughout pregnancy and helped me navigate complex, and crappy interactions with medical providers with grace. But where she stood out as most invaluable was during labor week and immediate postpartum. Her knowledge, humor, compassion and advocacy skills got us through nearly 5 days of labor contractions, and a very complicted delivery/immediate postpartum. While I experienced significant trauma and postpartum hemorrhaging, she was in the thick of it supporting me (we have pictures), and being a shoulder for my husband. She stayed with us long after she would have normally left just to be there for the both of us and make sure we were emotionally okay. I'm eternally grateful for the profound love we felt with Melanie from day 1. We wholeheartedly anticipate a lifelong kinship and give her honorary "auntie" status to baby boy Lucas. I can't say enough about how amazing she is. Book her as your doula, you won't regret it. [ I might get a little salty about new clients occupying her time because we want to hang with her all day every day... but I'll get over it ;) ]. Jenna

— Jenna Johnson

My husband and I are so thankful for Melanie. Her visits before birth were informative and helped come up with a plan for labor. I ended up choosing to be induced, and Melanie was supportive and provided education about the induction process. On the day of my induction, she met us at the hospital and stayed with me most of the day until i needed her again around 11 pm. Melanie also decorated the room making it feel cozy. Everyone commented on how great the room smelled and the tranquility. She helped me with my goal of laboring in many ways and without an epidural for as long as possible. When my labor stalled, she supported my decision to proceed with a c-section and came into the OR. She was so comforting and compassionate when things didn't go how I planned for the birth. I'll never forget her rubbing my head and encouraging me as I was being told my baby needed to go to the NICU. Her postpartum visit in the hospital was so helpful with breastfeeding, as she helped with latch and positioning. I cannot imagine going through the birth process without Melanie!

— Alex

Beyond grateful to have Melanie as our doula! As first-time parents, we wanted a supportive birth team that included midwives and a doula. From our first interaction, we instantly knew Melanie was meant to be part of our birth experience. She is love, light and has a great sense of humor. My birth plan was to labor at home for most of it, unmedicated and none of that happened. My labor was not easy (51 hours!). Melanie was there to bring a sense of calmness and the best advocate for our family when interventions were being introduced. I was exhausted and am so thankful Melanie was there to be my side the entire time. She was a coach, friend, and a cheerleader. I felt at ease with her presence, and extensive birth knowledge. Even after my delivery, Melanie was supportive and helpful in my nursing journey. Our little one had a tongue tie and not sure how I would have handled the nursing struggle without Melanie. She can do it all! Everyone needs a doula, every parent needs a Melanie!

— Marly Santoro

We love love love Mel! We were over half way through our pregnancy before deciding to hire a doula for our homebirth. As someone who is quite private, I wanted to keep our birth team as small as possible. After encouragement from our midwife we looked into hiring a doula and are SO glad we did. Our labor and birth would not have been the same without Mel. Working with her during pregnancy - my partner and I felt instantly comfortable and knew it would be a good fit. Her energy is upbeat, happy, and comforting. She has an honesty and realness about her that is hard to describe in words - you feel instantly comfortable in her presence. She is also incredibly knowledgeable about labor, birth, and postpartum care - this helped us feel confident welcoming her into our birth space as first time parents. Our labor and birth was where Mel truly shined - she entered into our birth space confident and calm providing us with reassurance that everything was going okay. Labor was long and an incredibly intense experience. Mel provided much needed pain management techniques as well as providing support for my partner including taking over so he could rest or take care of things at our house when needed. When we grew closer to the time to birth baby, Mel created a warm and beautiful environment using lights and candles surrounding our birth tub. After birth she provided much needed support for me as an exhausted first time mom navigating early hours of motherhood as well as follow-up in postpartum to ensure we were doing well in those early days post-birth. Long story short - we absolutely, with our whole hearts recommend Mel as a doula. Her support helped us welcome our sweet girl into the world with the home birth we dreamed of.

— Rochelle, Michael & Hazel

Every birthing parent needs a doula, and we needed Melanie. She's chatty and casual during pre and postpartum appointments, super honest, sassy, and funny. She is a fabulous listener and excellent at checking in throughout pregnancy and postpartum with texts and calls. During labor, Melanie was an absolutely solid support partner. When labor escalated, her chatty demeanor was replaced by a constant calm, level-headed presence. Melanie's quiet encouragement was just what I needed during an intense and sometimes chaotic birth experience. In a soothing but no nonsense manner she constantly and tirelessly reminded me to breathe, not panic, and gently suggested different coping techniques. I can't put into words how grateful I am that my family got to work with Melanie.

— Amy

Working with Melanie was amazing - she truly helped me have the positive and empowering birth experience that I wanted! When we interviewed her she described attending births as her heartwork and this is so true - her compassion, depth of knowledge, and humor made her such a joy to work with. I went into labor 3 weeks early (we were actually scheduled to do our home prenatal appointment the day I was in labor!) but we were able to get in touch with Melanie and she was at the hospital asap despite not being on call for me just yet :). My contractions had been starting to ramp up but even once she was on the phone with me everything changed - her calm coaching style allowed me to tune into my body and stay much more in control throughout labor. At the hospital Melanie completely transformed our room into a space of total calm for me to labor in. She set up LED candles and had spa music playing and I swear every single nurse who came into the room made the same comment about how relaxing the space was! My labor was fairly long (~18 hours in the hospital) but Melanie was there supporting me through every contraction - she provided so many different options for positions, counterpressure, and coached me through the entire process as well as helping my husband to support me. She worked as a team with the labor nurses and helped keep me informed of the process to the extent that I wanted. I was fortunate that my labor and delivery were safe and had no complications, but I would have absolutely wanted Melanie by my side if I had ended up needing any interventions or a c-section as I know she would have been able to help my husband and I process options and quickly make informed decisions. Melanie has also been an invaluable resource as we transitioned into parenthood - providing advice, resources for newborn care, and just generally helping us know what to expect! I would absolutely recommend her as a doula!

— Ingrid & Tyler

Melanie is incredible! She stepped in as a back-up doula for my delivery in the very final stages. It was planned in advance, so I knew that my primary doula would have to step away, but Melanie came in after I had been in labor for almost 24 hours. She was so warm and comforting from the start! It didn't feel at all like she was someone we had just met and in that moment and that was just what we needed. Melanie was so supportive through my final stages, especially when I had an epidural complication. Melanie also took amazing photos of our baby's birth and special moments afterwards. We would absolutely recommend working with Melanie!

— Saya and Kedo

Melanie was the birth doula for both of my children five years apart. She is so passionate and professional about being a doula. She transforms the environment from the moment she steps in the room. Everyone who walked in commented on how wonderful the environment was set up. When it came to laboring and even from the time we started working together during pregnancy, it was more like having a knowledgeable sister who is really taking a big role in helping you through. From helping me choose my hospital to recommending any other services that I needed, she is someone that I have love having in my court. If you want someone who will advocate for you like you were a member of her family, who is so passionate about everything birth, then hire Melanie. Thank you, Melanie, for helping me have a VBAC. Thank you for helping me navigate the emotional waters of being a NICU mom. Thank you for everything you've done for me and my family.

— Keyara

Melanie was such an amazing support system for our recent birth. We aimed to go natural, but was teetering all along the way with some fear and anticipation. She was such a steady voice of support and understanding. She was easy to communicate with and allowed me/us to ask the many questions that came all along the way. I also appreciated her candor when it came to valuable birth/lactation/postpartum classes, programs, etc. I also appreciated her candor in the pre-birth meetings to discuss some of the things that might be triggers/very annoying to me/my partner during labor and how we ensure that I felt comfortable in communicating those feelings and just sharing anything ahead of time for her to be aware of. When it came to the birth, she was worth her weight in gold. We hoped to labor at home for as long as possible and she was crucial in that process. Giving supportive counter pressure during contractions, new positions/activities to embrace during the early labor, timing and following all of the important indicators, and just keeping things moving. Lastly, she helped tremendously during the hospital birth. She brought her twinkly lights, fan, oils, and more - many used, many just in case. She was so prepared. She remained a steadfast partner and advocate the whole journey. Grateful for a doula like her and would highly recommend.

— Jesse Matton

I cannot even imagine what giving birth would have been like without Melanie. She is a kind, intelligent person who is a joy to be around and offers compassionate, non-judgmental support for pregnant people to approach birth in any way that works best for them (including lots of changing your mind). In the time leading up to delivery her patience and flexibility helped me get the education and preparation I needed my way, and her kindness and support after the birth helped me stay grounded through a very difficult period. But it was the 24 hours of labor and delivery that I genuinely could not have gotten through without her. She had the knowledge to help me understand everything that was happening even when medical professionals were not as forthcoming as they should have been, she helped me advocate for my preferences and needs, and when I was deepest in the labor process she understood what I needed when there was no way I could have articulated it—and then she made it happen. Melanie is a multifaceted, multitalented human and the birthing world is lucky that she has chosen to concentrate her passions here. Oh and did I mention funny? Because she made all the hours waiting in the hospital almost a breeze.

— Megan

I am so thankful to have found Melanie for my first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. There were so many unknowns and she was there to answer my questions or help me find the answers I needed. We met up a couple times before delivery and she was always just a text or phone call away. I loved her reminders to call in after all my prenatal appointments to check in and let her know how baby and I were doing. Melanie truly cared and made it known. I planned a homebirth so she did a home visit and scoped out potential areas/tools to help me through labor. By the time labor arrived, she was my first point of contact for any changes/developments and was in constant contact as my labor progressed quickly. When it was time for her to come, she was quick, attentive and respected all my wishes. She gave me physical relief during times of intense sensation and helped me feel empowered. I felt fully supported and heard. She was also a doula to my husband, reaching out to him when I was no longer "with it" - guiding him along the journey too. By postpartum, I needed support on how to process my new life and again Melanie was there - offering advice, answering questions, or to just chat. She has blown me away as a doula but also as a person fiercely supporting birthing people in the community. I hired Melanie as a doula but also gained a friend.

— Emily Martin

As a first time mom with very little support (aside from my partner), Mel was a tremendous asset in navigating my pregnancy and birth experience. She helped immensely not only as a confidant but by keeping us informed of what to expect pre and post birth. I struggled with my mental health during my pregnancy and it was so reassuring to talk to Mel about my anxieties and worries. Sharing her experiences really helped me feel more confident and secure, knowing that others have gone through something similar, and helped me realize how normal these feelings can be. When the big day came I, (and my husband as well) felt so much more relieved knowing we had another person in the room to help with the labor, ease our minds and advocate on my behalf. Over the entire experience, Mel was knowledgeable, non judgemental and very flexible with my birth process and I felt very comfortable talking with her about it and any changes that needed to be made. I wasn't originally sure a doula was right for me but I am so glad we went with it and met Mel, she really helped with my anxieties and made the whole experience that much more calm and easier.

— Crystal Feagans

We had THE BEST experience working with Melanie for the recent birth of our son. First of all, she felt like an instant friend, making us feel confident and content with our goals for the birth experience. This may not be a trait that everyone looks for in their doula, but Melanie has a wonderful sense of humor, which fit right in with our personalities - from our initial visits to the birth itself, she has the amazing ability to keep things light hearted and upbeat while not making light of the situation. We had some twists and turns during our long labor and Melanie did an incredible job of guiding us through it, providing support for both me and my husband as we navigated new-to-us procedures, including an unexpected amniotic transfusion. With the constant change of hospital staff in the room, it was incredibly comforting to have Melanie's consistent presence by our side - I would have been a complete stress ball without her! In addition to her support with birthing positions and knowledge of the process, she also worked quickly and efficiently under the radar to make the experience as comfortable as possible, setting up lighting and a diffuser with essential oils to make our delivery room a calm and cozy space. On top of it all, she also took the most incredible photos - they are absolutely beautiful, tastefully capturing the birth process and the first hours of our life as a new little family. I also really appreciate her check-ins after the birth - even months after, I would get a cheerful random text asking how we were doing. She clearly cares for her clients and truly loves her work - it is inspirational! I can't recommend Melanie enough, we are so grateful she came into our lives. I will forever treasure the memories of such a positive birth experience for me, my husband, and our sweetest little one!

— Kristin Thoroman

Melanie was amazing support when we found ourselves at the hospital unexpectedly and with short notice for augmented labor. She jumped right in and advocated for our every need, provided a calm atmosphere, and made sure we were informed of all our options. I would highly recommend her services.

— Brian, Melody, Sky

Luck gave us Melanie at the recent birth of our son. Melanie was the back up doula who was called to help when our original doula was at an emergency induction for another client, but you never would have known she was new to the scene with us. My labor progressed quickly, so she didn't have much time to prepare; but she came in cool, calm, and collected, with my birth preferences and goals memorized. I was 7 cm when we arrived to the hospital, so she swooped in and immediately started using counter pressure on my hips during contractions-- SO much relief. She worked with me through every contraction like that for at least an hour. She advocated for me; she got pictures; she did all the things I had talked about with my original doula... and then, when our son was here, she said "So is this a good time to mention today is my son's birthday too?" She made our birth everything I hoped for, and we feel so lucky to have had her-- both during and in the days after. Highly recommend Melanie!!!

— Kristi Torrenzano

Melanie is an angel. That is truly the best way to describe what she brought to my birth experience. Her timing was immaculate and as soon as she arrived the birth team, my family and I took a different vibe. It was all so fast, but Melanie slowed it down for me. It was like having my long lost sister there. My mother can't stop talking about how much better things got when Melanie arrived. She is assertive, yet comforting; an advocate and a friend. If you are considering working with Melanie, do not hesitate. She is what you're looking for.

— Keyara Alexandra

I always dreamed of the perfect natural delivery with my partner and midwife by my side. While my laboring process was not exactly what I dreamed it would be I am still very, very pleased with the outcome. Melonie, has such a compassionate and calm energy that really aided in helping me center and trust my body. We laughed, googled, waddled, and sung until my sweet little girl arrived. When decisions had to be made I felt that my partner and I made the best decisions we could given out knowledge. Melonie, was also great at reminding me when I should ask questions for clarity and standing up for my musical choices when my birth guest did not approve. Beyond the birthing room, Melonie has been so supportive to my unconventional postpartum journey. While her role of my volunteer birth doula was complete, she still was there to help me get resources, for comforting, and reassurance. Throughout this new phase in my life, Melonie has also helped me to learn to trust myself, my skills, and my intuition.

— Alexis Simms

I don’t know the right words to even begin to explain how much of a blessing and a miracle it was to have Melanie come into my life as my doula. Melanie and I met nearing the end of my second pregnancy. At the time I was going through a very hard situation in my life and she became my guardian angel. My first pregnancy did not go as planned at all. I wanted a natural birth with no medication. Being that this was my first pregnancy I listened to what the doctors told me was necessary instead of listening to my body or asking questions. I ended up being induced which in my eyes was before my child was ready and it resulted in a very unwanted c section. After that experience I told myself I would never have the same one again. Flash forward to the end of my second pregnancy I was blessed through a program with Melanie. She came to my appointments, she checked in on me daily, she became my voice when I was too timid to speak for myself. She went above and beyond her duties as my doula and I couldn’t have been happier. Even when I dealt with a week long prodromal labor she kept encouraging me. She reminded me that I was strong and amazing even when I was at my lowest of lows and felt the total opposite. I don’t know where I would be without her being placed in my life and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She advocated for me and my family when I didn’t feel I had a voice. In my eyes she is more then just a doula, she's a lawyer, she's a motivational speaker, she's an amazing support system, she's a wonderful friend, and above all I can now say she's an irreplaceable family member. I would recommend her over and over again to anyone in search of having a truly blissful doula experience. She's the best of the best!

— Giovanni Baker