Kind Words
“My partner and I hired Michelle for both her birth doula and postpartum services. During the education sessions at home before the birth, Michelle made us feel comfortable and gave us confidence about the choices we were making. She was by our side throughout an almost 30 hour, grueling (but very safe) home birth with a first baby. She was next to me for almost every contraction, anchoring me to a sense of being cared for and held, which was incredibly important as I went through the most intense and painful experience of my life. She also gave confidence and reassurance to my partner during the whole labour. After the baby was born, she made us feel comfortable at home, tidying up, making food, and taking photos. Knowing that sheets were being changed and laundry put in piles made a difference. I will never forget how amazing the plate of snacks Michelle made me tasted after over 24 hours of just drinking tea with honey! In the weeks following the birth, Michelle was a helpful resource and a continuing source of confidence for us as first-time parents. She answered questions, for example, about breast milk storage, and soothing a fussy baby. Michelle is one of the few people we feel 100% comfortable leaving our baby with in his first few weeks and months!
Michelle combines warmth and good humour and is a compassionate and empathetic person. Talking with her after the birth and processing our experience with her felt so right because she was with us for so many hours and had an intimate understanding and intuition about what I had gone through. Michelle will always have a special place in my heart for supporting me through my first labour and being a witness to every part of it.”
- Maayan & Aaron
“It was so great to have Michelle be a part of my birth team! Michelle is so caring and thoughtful. Her prenatal sessions provided great information and guidance so that my husband and I would feel prepared for labour and delivery. She was so flexible with arranging our meetings, offering sessions in person and over Zoom.
During labour, she knew when to be hands on, and when to give my partner and I space, while still providing support. Her presence kept me calm. With her support, I was able to have an unmedicated birth.”
- Ashley & Daniel
“Michelle was such a gift to have at our birth in addition to her visits pre and post partum. Her chill, calm presence and knowledgable help gave me and my husband so much peace during the process. When she wasn't holding my hand and coaching me through labour she took some amazing photos! About a week after our baby arrived, Michelle visited and gave some much needed attention to my three year old daughter while I had a nap. You will not regret hiring Michelle as your doula!”
- M
“Michelle was a phenomenal doula. I was so nervous to give birth to my first child as I didn't know what to expect and wanted to make sure I could advocate for myself in the process. Both my partner and I felt so much more secure and confident having Michelle there. My birth experience was SO positive, she took some stunning photos after our son was born and even brought some treats in her postpartum visit. I would recommend Michelle to anyone. She brings a good balance of humour and warmth to guiding you through the labour and postpartum experience.”
- Naomi
“Michelle was my absolute hero, both during my birth and during my post-partum period. She was able to provide my partner and I with valuable knowledge and insight about the birth experience and how we could prepare ourselves – having this support leading up to the birth made me feel so much more confident. I can't imagine going through labour without her there! She provided counter pressure to me with every contraction, all through the night, and was there to help my partner care for me and make me feel like I could do it. Even though the birth didn't go according to my plan – I had planned a home birth and ended up needing an emergency cesarean – she was there through all the unexpected ups and downs. She even went back to clean up our apartment so it would be tidy when we returned from the hospital, as well as brought us soup the day after the birth. Hiring her was truly one of the best things I could have done for myself for this pregnancy, and I would highly reccomend her doula services!”
- Daryn
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Michelle as my doula for my first child. She was wonderful to work with, answering all of my many questions throughout pregnancy. My husband and I had a few prenatal classes with her and felt very well prepared for labor & delivery. During early labor, Michelle came over to check on us and met us at the hospital when I was induced. She was an excellent coach for my husband during delivery, and we are so thankful she was with us for the birth of our daughter! She came over for our postpartum visits and was kind enough to drop off a few items we needed during our feeding journey as well. I would absolutely recommend Michelle as a doula!”
- Julie D.
“Michelle went above and beyond in taking care of me and my husband before, during, and after the birth of our first baby. The visits we had prior to the birth really prepared us to think through our hopes (and fears) about the birth of our son. They also helped us get to know each other. We felt so comfortable and at ease with Michelle. Within minutes of her arrival at our place, I felt like I had known her for years.
I went into labour 2 weeks early. Throughout my 60 hour labour, she kept me and my husband calm and as comfortable as possible. She always seemed to be where we most needed her when we most needed her. Without her encouragement, sense of humor, wealth of knowledge and experience, I wouldn’t have had the birth that I wanted. Anytime I felt like I was moving from pain to suffering, Michelle had a trick up her sleeve to take the edge off and keep me focused on the present moment. She held my hand for hours and brought me the best tasting peanut butter sandwich I’d ever eaten after I gave birth.
She knows BC Women’s in and out and has experience with many of the staff, nurses, and midwives. She will be your advocate and remind you that you have time to make decisions. I felt safe and fully myself with Michelle. Not to mention, she’s a talented photographer and took gorgeous photos of my labour and birth. Seven weeks in, I’m not in a rush to think about baby number 2, but I know Michelle will be by my side whenever that day comes.”
- Esra Y