22 September 2006

To Whom It May Concern,

Three and a half years ago, at my daughter's birth, my mother and my husband served as my birth support and did a wonderful job.

I honestly didn't feel the need to have a doula and preferred to just have family close by.

With the birth of my son, we welcomed Melissa into our "birth family" and we are all so glad we did. Her presence did not impose upon the intimate connection I felt with my husband and my mom.

While they both continued to support me physically, Melissa supported me mentally and emotionally. Melissa talked me through each surge helping me visualize it as a wave, relaxing into it and riding it through to it's crest. This made me feel in control of each surge instead of feeling it controlled me.

Labor is physically and emotionally exhausting not only for the woman in labor, but for her family support as well. Melissa was able to relieve some of the pressure my husband and mom felt so they could concentrate on holding my hands, rubbing my back, gazing into my eyes, and even taking turns with me in the labor tub!

I know I speak for us all when I say Melissa's confident, professional, and loving presence was one of the many magical elements of my son's birth. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Mari & Jeff Dieumegard, Sarah Adams