“Going into pregnancy, I knew very little about birth. While I'd venture to say I'm a quick study, there have been certain topics in my life that feel out of reach - whether it's due to anxiety or stress or sometimes even laziness. All to say, I will happily start a business, form an LLC, and teach myself to file corporate taxes, but learning about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are off the table. I found out I was pregnant halfway through my pregnancy. To most women who are in touch with their bodies, this would seem impossible, but perhaps the introduction I've already provided here will suffice as an explanation. In a bit of a time crunch, I needed to outsource. Melissa was the answer to a prayer. Her expertise on "The Room Where It Happens" was invaluable. She held my hand through appointments and tears and many calls as I navigated both the personal and physical implications of motherhood. My experience of matrescence was made simple by the companionship of my Doula. I was allowed to focus on the things I could handle, trusting she would help carry the rest. Together we crafted my "birth dream" and while I wanted to barely dip my feet into the birth world, her passion provided comfort and assurance that my body was meant for this. And of course, as Doula's know best, things do not go as planned. When I was told my umbilical cord had fallen into my cervix and I was rushed into a crash c-section, I felt not fear, but unwavering strength - equipped with support, knowledge, and self assurance thanks to my Doula. Melissa helped foster such a positive mindset around my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience that it ultimately allowed me to peacefully move through that season of life with ease - even with the chaos of an unplanned pregnancy, a traumatic birth, and a newborn who was taken directly into the NICU.” - Kelly