As your birth doula, I provide educational, physical, and emotional support. We meet 2 or 3 times prenatally to prepare for labor and birth, and I'm available to you by phone/text/video chat. I meet you at your place of birth during active labor and support you through baby's birth. I will come to you for one postpartum visit in the week or so after birth. We can discuss your birth, how you and the entire family are doing, and I'll help with household chores. Birth Doula fee: $1000. A budget friendly service may be available for families who live and birth locally, and payment plans are an option if needed. In the About Me section, you will see that I'm a credentialed doula with The Doula Network. If you have FL Medicaid insurance, birth and postpartum support may be paid for by your insurance.
As your Postpartum Doula, I assist in the home, helping parents and other family members adjust to life with a new baby. I care for mom so that she can recover, relax, and enjoy her baby. As a mom of adopted children, I know that adopting parents can benefit from a postpartum doula as well. In whatever way a new baby enters your world, I would love to be a part of your parenting journey. Postpartum doula fees are between $25-30 per hour, depending on travel time.
Learn MoreMedicaid is paying for birth and postpartum doula support!!!!! Lake County FL moms with Sunshine Health or United Healthcare (high risk only) can access free doula support. Birth support includes 3 prenatal visits to help you prepare for birth and the postpartum period, continuous labor and birth support at your place of birthing, and 2 postpartum visits once you are home with baby. Don't want a doula at your birth? Melissa can provide in-home visits before and after baby's arrival. 10-15 hours of in-home support over 5 visits to help with light household chores, home organization, preparation for breast/bottle feeding, meal prep, freezer meals, etc. Melissa provides childbirth education classes, lactation support (from July ‘24), and Newborn 101 classes to families with Sunshine Health.
A little about me....
I grew up in Illinois and met my hubby, Craig, in college. Craig is from New Zealand. After marrying, we moved to New Zealand, where we lived for 17 years. Craig and I have 3 adult children, two sons through international adoption and a daughter through In Vitro Fertilization. In 2005, we moved to Florida to be near some of my family. I am a former home schooling mom reinventing myself as a doula, and I love walking, swimming, and being involved with my church. In July 2022 I became a grandma!! I am obsessed with my granddaughter!!