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Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength. My name is Melissa. I have always had a passion for nature, spirituality and the mysteries of life. Since I can remember, I have felt drawn to human service, to healing and to music, but never seemed to know where my niche really was. I was not the kind of girl who envisioned herself getting married one day and having children. In 2007, I had weight loss surgery and lost 175 pounds. I truly believe that this was a catalyst into living a brand new life, a healthier and happier life! I was given a second chance at living. It was this epiphany of sorts that awoke a desire in me to have a child. My pregnancy was blessed and highly-monitored (due to being considered high risk from my weight loss surgery). However, I had a beautiful pregnancy and I really could not have asked for better. I cherished and documented every moment. Having a life growing inside of you is truly magical! I had said since the moment of conception, I wanted an epidural! After all, why feel pain if medicine had invented an alternative to it?! Then I saw Ricki Lake's documentary, "The Business of Being Born." This film was literally a turning point in all of my thinking about birth. I decided to enroll in Bradley Method classes and learn more about the possibility of having an un-medicated birth. During my pregnancy, I read and watched anything and everything about pregnancy and childbirth that I could get my hands on! I quite literally became a woman obsessed. It became my goal to have the birth that I desired with as little medical intervention as possible. On January 2nd, 2010, I went into labor naturally at 39 weeks gestation. I had a beautiful, uncomplicated drug-free labor even though it was in a hospital. It was by far the most intense, primal and empowering experience of my life. It changed me at the very core of my being and transformed me into the woman I am today. From the moment my son was placed at my breast, I realized that my life was forever changed. It is my greatest wish to be able to serve other mothers and their families in wading through their options and advocating for themselves to have the births that they truly desire. As a DONA trained birth doula, I can assist you during your pregnancy and provide comfort measures for a laboring woman during her birth. I will assist you and your partner (if applicable) in organizing your birth preferences, exploring your options and learning how to remain calm, effective and relaxed during your birth process. I will also assist you following the birth of your child with establishing a breastfeeding relationship with your new bundle of joy (if desired). I work with all types of families--married, partnered, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered, single mothers, teen mothers, low-income families, surrogates and adoptive parents (etc.) My services are non-denominational and I will work with families of all faiths and spiritual beliefs. While I believe it is important to understand the risks and benefits of any birth decision that can affect a mother's labor and her unborn child, it is not my job to judge a mother or a family for their choices, but rather to do everything in my power to support them during this momentous occasion in their lives -- the birth of LOVE! |
