About Mel

Hi I’m Melissa, a lot of people call me Mel, but I answer to either!  I am an Australian married to an American and a mother of 4 wonderful boys.

The short story is that I am a Certified Labor Doula -Childbirth International CBI (2012), Certified Placenta Preparation Specialist APPAC (2016) Licensed Massage Therapist LMT (2019), Body Ready Method Pro (2022) and Certified Body Ready Birth Teacher (2024)

The longer story of how I became a doula and began working with pregnant mamas.

In 2009 I was volunteering with a Christian organization (YWAM Townsville Medical Ships) addressing the health needs of the people of Papua New Guinea, where, up to 1 in 7 women in rural areas were dying from childbirth complications. At the time, I had 3 little ones under 5 years old. That statistic was not ok! I was particularly challenged by the needs of childbearing women in developing nations who don’t get the maternal care they need. My prayer to God was ‘What can I do in response to this?’

Around the same time, a number of my friends in the Australian city where I lived, were having babies and beginning to talk about birth in a whole new way. They were talking about different options, they were talking with passion, confidence, strength, joy, excitement and ownership of the birth experience. I wanted what they had! – They had a Doula!

Becoming a Doula was my personal response to God and the needs of mothers everywhere.

I started my Doula journey in 2009 and I got to experience having a Doula for my 4th birth in 2010 and discovered the surprising benefits of placenta encapsulation. I finally became a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CD CBI) in 2012.

In 2012 I had the opportunity to support women in Tanzania, Africa during a practicum for birth workers with LifeReach International.  Working at a busy hospital in the capital city (Dar es Salaam) I witnessed the strength of many women in the face of less than ideal circumstances.  This experience solidified for me that Doula’s are needed.   Of course women can, and do, birth everyday without caring or understanding support.   However a doula can and does reduce fear, stress and anxiety for the mother (amongst other things) and that has to be good!

I moved from Australia to the USA in 2015 and along with supporting mamas in 3 different countries – Australia, Tanzania and USA, I’m also experienced in supporting parents in hospitals, birth centers and at home.

I continued my passion for supporting pregnancy & birth and became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2019. In 2022 I became a certified Body Ready Method Professional and completed continuing education in specific pre and Perinatal Massage Therapy and Spinning Babies. I continually seek out education and training on how to best serve families in the Childbearing years. I have volunteered with YWAM, LifeReach International and YWAM Medical Ships. I am a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Prenatal Massage Specialist and a Body Ready Method Pro. I have a special interest in bodywork for breech babies.

I believe in the One who created life and the amazing design of childbirth, it is the foundation to everything I do. I believe that pregnancy and birth is designed to be life-giving and a unique and significant time in life, and deserves to be invested in – mind, body, soul and spirit.

I believe that every childbirth is a significant and transformative time in a family’s life.

I believe in the incredible design of birth and women’s bodies.

I believe that families make the best decisions for themselves when encouraged to prepare with education, evidence and trusting their intuition.

I believe in supporting the physiological and instinctual process of pregnancy and birth. We are whole beings made up of muscles, ligaments, bones, hormones, thoughts, feelings, experiences, soul and spirit. Pregnancy and childbirth is not just a physical experience; it’s emotional, thoughtful, spiritual, intimate, powerful and transformational. That includes births in the hospital, out of the hospital and with unexpected challenges along the way.

I believe in continually learning and growing I have advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum massage, including cesarean recovery and pregnancy loss. I utilise various trainings and offerings including, Body Ready Method, Spinning Babies, Evidence Based Birth, Intentional Birth, and other programs, skills and experience based knowledge to provide the very best support possible.

I believe our bodies are intricately and wonderfully made and designed by our loving Creator and that is the foundation to everything I do.