Babies & Birth Stories

"...the most amazing and empowering thing I have ever done"

I knew right when I got pregnant with my 3rd child that I wanted something different for my pregnancy and birth. I found Melissa on the Internet, and after meeting and speaking with her, I knew straight away that her methods and approach were what I wanted. She was wonderfully informative, reassuring and knowledgeable throughout my pregnancy.

I had an early diagnosis of gestational diabetes, and despite being "high risk" Melissa was able to work with me and help me get through my entire pregnancy without any medication. Without her, I probably would have succumbed to giving into the doctor’s suggestions of taking insulin instead of controlling it with diet alone. And when I got to my 36th week of pregnancy and the doctors suggested that I should think about being induced because my baby was too small, Melissa was right there in supporting me in my desire to continue my pregnancy as is, and have a natural home birth.

At 37 weeks and 3 days, with my husband, Melissa and her assistant helping me through it, I gave birth to my son at home. It was the most amazing and empowering thing that I have ever done. Women's bodies were made to be able to birth without all the modern medical intrusions. I am so thankful to Melissa for encouraging me, and reassuring me that I could to it naturally. ~ Jennifer

"Wow, what an experience!!"

We found Melissa over the Internet searching for Midwives, interviewed her and fell in love with her immediately. She is so understanding, knowledgeable and passionate about what she does. She took the time to explain to my husband at each prenatal visit how the baby is growing and progressing, answered all questions that we had without rushing us. She made us feel that we were actually very important to her not just another patient on today's schedule. My husband wasn't sure about the whole midwife thing due to his son being born by c-section from a previous marriage but after meeting Melissa he changed his mind. Not only did he change his mind about having a delivery away from a hospital at a birth center, he changed his mind completely and we had a HOME Birth!! He was proud to say we were having a home birth by the end of the pregnancy and has said to many people "we had a home birth and plan to do it again!!" We wouldn’t have been able to do it without Melissa.

My labor progressed very quickly (1-1/2 hours) so when Melissa arrived I was already having the urge to push but she was so calm and together, it put us all at ease. Homebirths are definitely an unexplainable experience. Words can't describe the ease and comfort that your home plays in your labor and your birth. Not only for you but also for your family. At our birth we had my daughter (10 years old), my step-son (14 years old), both grandmas, a close friend to take pictures and video our dog and our cat. Our daughter was born at 11:32pm and we were sleeping peacefully with our new bundle of joy by 2:30am. You definitely can't say that about a hospital!! Melissa came back the next day to do a 24 hour check, then 3 days and at one week. Can't say that about pediatrician.... My favorite part of all newborn checks was the scale that she weighed Makeila in, we call it our Stork Scale. We would highly recommend Melissa to anyone looking for a midwife. We are for sure going to use her for our next pregnancy and birth. Thank you Melissa for a wonderful birth experience!! We couldn’t have done it without you.
~Alefa, Ruzzel, RJ, Kobi and Makeila

“It was a positive experience for me and my family!

Our needs were met and more. I felt a connection with my midwife that helped me through some tough times during my pregnancy. Very humbling.’’ Describing her labor and birth… “It was spiritual and beautiful. I felt love all through the house and closeness to my husband that was amazing… Even though the birth of my son happened at the hospital….I wouldn’t change a thing. The dedication to the patients is excellent!”
~Sherry

"We had our best birth experience!"
We transferred our care to Erin & Melissa in the 33rd week of our third pregnancy after searching for more personal and family-centered attention. We knew after our very first visit, which was longer than all of our previous practitioner's visits combined, that they would be a great fit for our family. Erin & Melissa acquainted themselves with us very quickly, and the depth of their care provided the comfort and support we needed to have our first birth at home.

Like our last two pregnancies, this one went well past our due date. But Erin's & Melissa's expert handling and encouragement eased our anxiety. They presented many different labor-encouraging options but they were never mandated; we were always active participants. Once labor did start, we were blessed to have their hands-on care and attention, as well as their birth assistant's. After the birth, we were welcome and encouraged to observe and participate in the following exams.

Because we were transferred to the hospital for our last two births, we really hoped this birth would go differently. We're certain that Erin's & Melissa's comforting care helped us have a successful homebirth. Most importantly for us, we are thankful that Melissa & Erin allowed us to include our whole family in the birth experience (with big sister and brother attending the birth, prenatal, and postpartum appointments -- even our dog and a couple of our cats were present at the birth!).~DeeDee and Drew

"Erin and Melissa provided us with complete information on the standard of care in our community, while at the same time respecting our choices regarding our pregnancy and birth, even when those choices fell outside of the community standard. I appreciated their willingness to use herbs to manage issues that arose during the birth, as well as their ability to include my partner as an active participant in the birth of our child. Their presence in our home was unobtrusive; we were able to maintain the family atmosphere we desired even as our midwives gave us excellent care."~Allison and Jaime

The baby was born and it was a beautiful birth (Mom's comments in italics)

"Melissa was always available on the phone and came to our home when labor was just beginning. We felt she was there for us all the time--that was very important and precious. I felt a lot of support from them all.  Their efficiency and the way they dealt with every change in every moment was very professional and very helpful." ~Anna

"Later on, Erin and the two assistants, Gwen and Diane, came. They worked very efficiently to address every single little thing that needed to be taken care of in order for things to run smoothly. That was a great relief for me because I could focus on being with my wife. They were very accommodating to my wife’s wishes. She decided to stay in the bathtub and that wasn't necessarily the most comfortable set up from the midwives’ point of view. They didn't say that; but I thought it was obvious, our bathroom is pretty small.

I felt that my wife was very well taken care of at all times. They were very professional and efficient and at the same time warm and caring. After the baby was born it was very impressive to see the deployment of resources to clean up and straighten up everything and I am very grateful for that.

The postpartum care for baby and mother was also very good and overall, I, as a father, couldn't have asked for a better home birth. These feelings are shared by my wife."~Dad