Words of Love from Clients
*Please visit www.doulamatch.net for more reviews :) |
Nearly 40-Hour Labor
I hadn’t ever really given deep thought to what I wanted my birth experience to be like, until shortly before I actually got pregnant. As I delved into social media mom groups, books, hospitals vs birthing centers, etc, I was led to Melissa. To be honest, I was hesitant at first to bring on a Doula, because I felt like I had the necessary support in my family and husband. I decided to meet with her anyway to see what she was all about. I knew right away she would be a warm and strong integral part of my birth story, and necessary if I wanted to really pull off delivering at a birth center, sans drugs. Boy. Was. I. Right.
As it turned out, my water broke early while my husband was abroad, leaving me, my mom, and Melissa. My mom, although a recently retired nurse who usually tells me to tough things out, was kind of a wreck. Melissa was the glue that day, and I surely would have pleaded for the epidural if she wasn’t such an amazing cheerleader. She was my advocate, held my hair, waved my favorite essential oils over me, walked steps with me, chatted, rubbed me, gave me water, did a Wawa run for me, drove in the snow for me, was in touch with my husband updating him, is the reason my son latched only a few minutes after he was born ... honestly there isn’t enough space on this page to write the reasons she WAS an integral part of that experience. I am eternally grateful that I can look back at a very long, difficult labor with joy, pride and a successful birth center delivery. I believe that in a big way I can do that, because of Melissa. If we ever go for number 2, she’s my gal. I can’t recommend her enough.
Jessica Procopos (and baby Dino)
Conshohocken, PA
I hadn’t ever really given deep thought to what I wanted my birth experience to be like, until shortly before I actually got pregnant. As I delved into social media mom groups, books, hospitals vs birthing centers, etc, I was led to Melissa. To be honest, I was hesitant at first to bring on a Doula, because I felt like I had the necessary support in my family and husband. I decided to meet with her anyway to see what she was all about. I knew right away she would be a warm and strong integral part of my birth story, and necessary if I wanted to really pull off delivering at a birth center, sans drugs. Boy. Was. I. Right.
As it turned out, my water broke early while my husband was abroad, leaving me, my mom, and Melissa. My mom, although a recently retired nurse who usually tells me to tough things out, was kind of a wreck. Melissa was the glue that day, and I surely would have pleaded for the epidural if she wasn’t such an amazing cheerleader. She was my advocate, held my hair, waved my favorite essential oils over me, walked steps with me, chatted, rubbed me, gave me water, did a Wawa run for me, drove in the snow for me, was in touch with my husband updating him, is the reason my son latched only a few minutes after he was born ... honestly there isn’t enough space on this page to write the reasons she WAS an integral part of that experience. I am eternally grateful that I can look back at a very long, difficult labor with joy, pride and a successful birth center delivery. I believe that in a big way I can do that, because of Melissa. If we ever go for number 2, she’s my gal. I can’t recommend her enough.
Jessica Procopos (and baby Dino)
Conshohocken, PA
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Unexpected Home Birth
From my first meeting with Melissa, I felt safe. I felt she would be my greatest advocate in encouraging me to explore what I wanted my birthing experience to be and use my voice to put those intentions into actions. Never did I imagine being pregnant during a pandemic and Melissa was willing to take the extra time to navigate all of my many, daily changing feelings and realities of fluctuating hospital policies. She went above and beyond writing letters to my providers and the health system on behalf of doulas and support persons on why she should be present at my delivery. She encouraged me to speak my intentions and trust in my intuition while navigating pregnancy in an unprecedented time...
And then I went into labor. It was nothing like what we had prepared for. It seemed all of our hard work went out the window as I progressed so rapidly I couldn’t even think (or make it out of my house to the hospital). Melissa dropped everything to come to my side much quicker than expected, stayed calm and grounded me in the very intense moments, willing to do whatever was physically necessary for me to find brief comfort. She was such an integral part of the birth of my daughter and I would have been even more terrified without her. I was initially drawn to her for her trauma informed approach and I’m so so grateful for that as my delivery left me a bit more traumatized than I had expected. Melissa took the time to unpack everything with me in the weeks after and still remains such as source of support. Having her as our doula was the absolute BEST decision I made.
Erica Petrick (and baby Gemma)
Conshohocken, PA
From my first meeting with Melissa, I felt safe. I felt she would be my greatest advocate in encouraging me to explore what I wanted my birthing experience to be and use my voice to put those intentions into actions. Never did I imagine being pregnant during a pandemic and Melissa was willing to take the extra time to navigate all of my many, daily changing feelings and realities of fluctuating hospital policies. She went above and beyond writing letters to my providers and the health system on behalf of doulas and support persons on why she should be present at my delivery. She encouraged me to speak my intentions and trust in my intuition while navigating pregnancy in an unprecedented time...
And then I went into labor. It was nothing like what we had prepared for. It seemed all of our hard work went out the window as I progressed so rapidly I couldn’t even think (or make it out of my house to the hospital). Melissa dropped everything to come to my side much quicker than expected, stayed calm and grounded me in the very intense moments, willing to do whatever was physically necessary for me to find brief comfort. She was such an integral part of the birth of my daughter and I would have been even more terrified without her. I was initially drawn to her for her trauma informed approach and I’m so so grateful for that as my delivery left me a bit more traumatized than I had expected. Melissa took the time to unpack everything with me in the weeks after and still remains such as source of support. Having her as our doula was the absolute BEST decision I made.
Erica Petrick (and baby Gemma)
Conshohocken, PA
Intuitive Lactation Support
During my last postpartum experience, I saw an IBCLC who really didn't help me, and my journey with breastfeeding was rough. This time, my daughter either slept or screamed for the first five days of her life and would only take a bottle from my husband (at an exact longitude/latitude I could never find). I was terrified she would starve and my toddler son is on a sleep strike, so my husband wasn't always free to feed the baby.
I called Melissa, a CLC (she's also a doula). In a few minutes, she identified multiple concerns and gave me solutions. A week later and my daughter is feeding and growing beautifully. I can't believe how intuitive Melissa was! ...I really feel like her rapport and gentleness will be universal. Can't recommend her enough!
Meghan Gaffney Wells (and baby Maeve)
Philadelphia, PA
During my last postpartum experience, I saw an IBCLC who really didn't help me, and my journey with breastfeeding was rough. This time, my daughter either slept or screamed for the first five days of her life and would only take a bottle from my husband (at an exact longitude/latitude I could never find). I was terrified she would starve and my toddler son is on a sleep strike, so my husband wasn't always free to feed the baby.
I called Melissa, a CLC (she's also a doula). In a few minutes, she identified multiple concerns and gave me solutions. A week later and my daughter is feeding and growing beautifully. I can't believe how intuitive Melissa was! ...I really feel like her rapport and gentleness will be universal. Can't recommend her enough!
Meghan Gaffney Wells (and baby Maeve)
Philadelphia, PA
C-Section in a Pandemic
I never imagined having a C-section alone. My husband was with me for my first one and he would be with me for my second, August 2020. Then Covid happened. We were extremely diligent in not seeing anyone, staying home, etc. As the birth drew closer, it was clear we weren’t comfortable with leaving the older 3 with anyone. It was a very hard decision but we eventually decided my husband would stay home with them and i would go into the hospital alone.
I was venting about this in my pregnancy Facebook group one day when Melissa messaged me. Right off the bat, I felt a connection with her. Long story short, after a couple of FaceTime appointments and emails, I decided to go with having her as my doula. Best decision i ever made. Melissa sent me encouraging, reassuring emails or texts when i was nervous, we made a birth plan (even though it was a c-section), and she just made me feel SO comfortable. We had a plan and I felt better than I had in months.
24 hours before my c-section, I went Into labor. I called her at 4am and she was at the hospital by 5:15, right after me. She put my hair up, rubbed my back, held my hand. It was everything i needed. She was allowed in the OR where she talked to me, held my hand, took pictures like she was a professional photographer, and texted my husband updates constantly. She stayed with me for hours after, which was a true blessing. She held the baby while I napped. She helped with my latch. We chatted about life and it was like hanging out with a good friend.
I am proud Melissa was part of baby Andy’s birth. I would recommend her 100 times. She was my voice, making sure I was comfortable every step of the way. If you are on the fence about a doula, trust me. You need one!
Jackie Kelly (and baby Andy)
Souderton, PA
I never imagined having a C-section alone. My husband was with me for my first one and he would be with me for my second, August 2020. Then Covid happened. We were extremely diligent in not seeing anyone, staying home, etc. As the birth drew closer, it was clear we weren’t comfortable with leaving the older 3 with anyone. It was a very hard decision but we eventually decided my husband would stay home with them and i would go into the hospital alone.
I was venting about this in my pregnancy Facebook group one day when Melissa messaged me. Right off the bat, I felt a connection with her. Long story short, after a couple of FaceTime appointments and emails, I decided to go with having her as my doula. Best decision i ever made. Melissa sent me encouraging, reassuring emails or texts when i was nervous, we made a birth plan (even though it was a c-section), and she just made me feel SO comfortable. We had a plan and I felt better than I had in months.
24 hours before my c-section, I went Into labor. I called her at 4am and she was at the hospital by 5:15, right after me. She put my hair up, rubbed my back, held my hand. It was everything i needed. She was allowed in the OR where she talked to me, held my hand, took pictures like she was a professional photographer, and texted my husband updates constantly. She stayed with me for hours after, which was a true blessing. She held the baby while I napped. She helped with my latch. We chatted about life and it was like hanging out with a good friend.
I am proud Melissa was part of baby Andy’s birth. I would recommend her 100 times. She was my voice, making sure I was comfortable every step of the way. If you are on the fence about a doula, trust me. You need one!
Jackie Kelly (and baby Andy)
Souderton, PA
Comfort in a Difficult Labor & Breastfeeding Support
Melissa is truly a wonderful human being.
Any worry or anxiety that I experienced through my pregnancy I could turn to her with and I would leave the conversation feeling more at ease, grounded, and confident. She always made herself available and was extremely encouraging.
She has tons of knowledge on what is evidence based and resources. She helped us navigate a very long and difficult labor, as well as helped us process afterwards at our postpartum visit. Melissa is also a fantastic and experienced Lactation consultant. Having her as a sounding board that I already had a relationship with as my birth doula was invaluable as I navigated the ups and downs of breastfeeding. I can’t recommend working with Melissa enough!!
Ariel Fuchs (and baby Ada)
Philadelphia, PA
Melissa is truly a wonderful human being.
Any worry or anxiety that I experienced through my pregnancy I could turn to her with and I would leave the conversation feeling more at ease, grounded, and confident. She always made herself available and was extremely encouraging.
She has tons of knowledge on what is evidence based and resources. She helped us navigate a very long and difficult labor, as well as helped us process afterwards at our postpartum visit. Melissa is also a fantastic and experienced Lactation consultant. Having her as a sounding board that I already had a relationship with as my birth doula was invaluable as I navigated the ups and downs of breastfeeding. I can’t recommend working with Melissa enough!!
Ariel Fuchs (and baby Ada)
Philadelphia, PA
