About

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 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)

How did I became a doula and began working with pregnant mamas?

In 2009 I was volunteering with an organization (YWAM) addressing the health needs of the people of Papua New Guinea. At the time, I had 3 little ones under 5 years old. And had had pretty standard care during my pregnancies. I was particularly challenged by the needs of childbearing women in developing nations who don’t get the maternal care they need – and up to 1 in 7 women in rural areas were dying from childbirth complications. Around the same time, a number of my friends were beginning to talk about birth in a whole new way. They were talking about different options, they were talking with passion, confidence, strength and ownership. I wanted what they had! – They had a Doula!

Becoming a Doula was my personal response to mothers everywhere.

I became a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CD CBI) in 2012.

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.

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 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 have supported women in 3 countries – Australia, Tanzania and USA. 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 trained in specific pre and perinatal massage therapy. 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.

If you’ve come here you want to know a little bit more about who we are why we do what we do and what we stand for. Hopefully in a variety of ways we can answer those question!

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

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

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

We 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.

We believe in continually learning and growing as a team. Our massage therapists all have advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum massage, including cesearean recovery and pregnancy loss. Our doulas utilize 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.

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