“Before my husband and I spent 2.5 hours with Melissa in a very last minute crash course in all things labour prep, I felt about as unprepared as they come. Aside from knowing my due date and the fruit size of my baby, I had done zero prep, zero reading and was  terrified of pushing a tiny human out into the world. Melissa exudes warmth, compassion and has a unique ability to make you feel at ease. She will make a point of understanding your expectations and individual style so she can successfully coach and support you based on your unique needs. I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone who is looking to skip out on multiple sessions of breathing practice and unnecessary role play for a jam packed coles notes version of all of the essential tools to begin your labour journey.”

— Kailey

“Melissa’s class gave my husband so much more confidence, and therefore I felt safe.”

— Sam

“My wife and I had a labour prep session with Melissa about 1 month before my wife's due date, and I’ll admit I was feeling extremely anxious about the whole process. I'd read a book or two, but really didn't feel at all prepared for the impending birth. Melissa's class provided an amazing overview of what to expect throughout the whole process, including a cheat sheet summarizing these steps and when certain things need to happen, and how I could help my wife through these steps! This turned out to be my "bible" throughout the birthing process, from the very first contraction and i don't know what I would have done without it! We also practiced certain poses, and ways that I could help to alleviate a little of my wife's contraction pains, which turned out to be very helpful. Melissa provided all the necessities in preparing for the birth, in a very relaxing, personal and intimate setting, tailored to what we were looking for, highly recommended!”

— Matt

“We had a great experience with Melissa. Her calm demeanour and wealth of knowledge was so beneficial to our labour prep. She was very patient with all of our questions, was hands-on and clear with instruction and recommendations, and was an all-around great support for my husband and I. As it was our first pregnancy we were feeling overwhelmed prior to labour and by the time she left, both my husband and I felt so much more comfortable and prepared going into this big journey. She is so sweet and lovely, I would recommend her to any parents-to-be looking for guidance and labour prep. She's truly the best!”

— Alexie

“My husband and I had a prenatal class with Melissa. She put our minds at ease by walking us through the stages of labour and teaching us many different techniques and strategies for coping. After the class, we felt empowered and ready to go through this together. My husband especially felt like he had gained many “tools” and knowledge to help me.

When I went into labour, I didn’t feel stressed or scared. From the beginning we used what we learned from Melissa and I strongly believe that her teachings were a strong factor for me being able to labour at home for as long as I did and then have an unmedicated vaginal delivery at the hospital.

We highly recommend Melissa! She has many years of experience, she is very easy to talk to and always has fantastic advice.”

- Lauren & Tom

“I can’t say enough about Melissa’s prenatal support.

My husband and I left the course feeling tremendously empowered, not only for how I can support myself + be supported by my partner during labour, but for what to expect during pre-labour and postpartum recovery.

Melissa’s empathetic, compassionate and calm demeanour helped to demystify the experience for us — and we’re thrilled to be entering our first labor feeling as strong, connected and confident as we do.”

- Laura

“As a first-time dad I was eager to support my partner but at times was unsure of what I could do to help. Melissa was able to not only give me the guidance I was looking for but also supported me emotionally when I needed it the most. I can't imagine the experience without her by our side.”

— Andrew

“Melissa could not have been a more powerful or adaptable force during the birth of our daughter. She was incredibly present and compassionate before, during and after the labour. Her experiences in life and work have clearly contributed to her ability to support people in the prenatal and birthing journey. I can’t speak highly enough about the light Melissa shines and the grounding support she provides.”

— Carolyn

“Melissa was born to be a doula. She is the ultimate coach, cheerleader and advocate. She is caring and kind, she is thoughtful and educated and most importantly she is there for you and you feel that. She wants nothing more then for you to have a wonderful experience and will do everything in her power to make that happen. My first birth was without Melissa. I had a precipitous labour (under 2 hours) and almost didn’t make it to the delivery room, my labour was without complications but I left it feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. A perfect example of how great she is, is when I went to the hospital for my second birth the nurses were hesitant to put me in a room as to them it seemed as if I was a long ways away from delivery. Melissa knowing my history firmly but kindly advocated for me that I needed a room right away and they got me one within minutes (thankfully because I delivered under an hour later). Through out the entire labour she spoke to the doctors and nurses on my behalf when she could see what I needed or if I was in to much pain to talk myself. She supported my husband and encouraged me when I felt like I couldn’t go on. She supported my body through an intense and quick natural labour with different techniques that helped pushed me through. My first labour left me feeling fearful for my second, and right after my labour with Melissa, with my fresh baby in my arms I remember looking at her and saying “that was amazing!” Which was something I never thought I’d say. She was such an important and positive part of my labour and I feel so happy for anyone else that is lucky enough to have her with them.”

— Whitney

“Melissa was a calming and reliable presence during our birth experience. She came prepared and seemed to anticipate our needs before we'd even realized them ourselves. It was invaluable to have someone we could trust wholeheartedly during the entire experience. We would recommend Melissa without hesitation!”

— Ainslie & Spencer

“It’s hard to put into words just how indebted I feel to Melissa for her support during my pregnancy, labour and delivery. She was not only effortlessly empathetic and knowledgable but also, incredibly intuitive to what both my partner and I needed through the entire process. My labour and delivery wasn’t the easiest to say the least and Melissa’s steadfast support both physically and mentally was what got me through. She was my strength when I was depleted of it. She was my positivity when I had none. And to top it all off, she was 4 months pregnant with her twins at the time of my 20 hour long labour and you wouldn’t have even noticed given her unwavering commitment to bringing my healthy baby boy into the world.”

— Steph

“As my doula Melissa played an instrumental role in the delivery of my first daughter, I do not think I could have done it without her. She was right there at my side from the start of my labour, guiding and encouraging me throughout the stages. Her knowledge and calm presence put both me and my partner at ease and gave us the confidence for a safe delivery. I am currently pregnant with my second daughter and cannot imagine going through the experience of labour without Melissa. She is incredibly kind, supportive, patient and strong, exactly what you need for all the uncertainty and anticipation of giving birth.”

— Jamie

“I can’t think of the birth of our son without Melissa coming to mind – she was such an important part of the entire experience. Her wisdom and calm, loving presence was truly incredible and irreplaceable; I’m not sure what I would have done without her there. There were many moments where I personally felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, and she was so helpful and reassuring and supportive – first and foremost to my partner, but also to me – and I would recommend her to any parents-to-be looking for support during the birth process.”

- Karl

“Our doula Melissa was an invaluable part of our blessed birthing experience. She was intuitively present, discerning and attentive. She astutely read the energy in the room, held space and knew when/how to lend us the appropriate support.”

— Mohammed

“Melissa was an amazing birth doula for our first born. We had hoped for a home birth but ended up transferring to the hospital during a snow storm, plus my labour was very long. Melissa was incredibly supportive and reassuring throughout my labour, and especially through the transfer. She allowed me to voice the concerns and fears I had, and really listened to what I had to say. She had a calm energy which helped to reduce any anxiety I was feeling about the sudden change in my birth plan. We also appreciated having much needed emotional and physical support, which meant my husband could focus on me. She squeezed my hips, she nourished me, she hydrated me, she encouraged me and she believed in me. We are so thankful that she was a part of our birth story. I can't recommend her highly enough!”

— Caroline

“As a first time mom who was lucky enough to have Melissa as my doula, I can’t imagine bringing my baby into the world without her.  She prepared us for labour and postpartum with an in-depth information session and awesome reference materials.  When I went into labour, I felt safe knowing Melissa was there to help us navigate the process.  Her knowledge, warmth and humour were invaluable to me and my partner. Every family should have some one like Melissa to help them bring a baby into the world.”

- Joanna

“With our first pregnancy, we weren't sure we wanted a doula, but after our midwife’s recommendation, we contacted Melissa. It was the best decision. Unbeknownst to anyone, our daughter was born with a genetic mutation that resulted in her inability to survive outside the womb. What was meant to be a day of celebration became an unexpected day of mourning. Melissa’s calm, caring and supportive demeanour throughout the entire labour, and especially throughout our grieving process, was invaluable. Based on that experience, we asked her to be our doula again for the birth of our second daughter. Again, Melissa provided unwavering support throughout the entire labour and afterwards. It was a joyous day that would not have felt complete without Melissa's presence.”

- Sharon

“Melissa has a natural ability to connect and a genuine warmth that makes her the person you want in the room with you, in your most vulnerable moments. I was so lucky to have her support postpartum, when I was feeling emotions and having thoughts that I never could have prepared for. Her calm, loving, judgement free approach gave me the space to understand the transition I was going through. She didn’t tell me how I “should feel” or what I “had to do”, rather she offered her wisdom and time to both my husband and I, creating a safe support system, so I could guide myself through this transformative time.”

— Lia