When I was pregnant with my second child I decided that I wanted to have a different labor and delivery experience than what I had with my first.  With my firstborn, I did everything that was standard by hospital procedures which meant pitocin to speed up my labor, epidural to mask the pain, and a two day stay at the hospital afterwards.  The hospital experience was fine with no major problems but looking back on it, I felt as though I was completely disconnected from the whole birthing process.  I felt none of my contractions after being put on the epidural and just laid in bed waiting for the doctor to tell me to push so my baby could enter the world.  I felt that after 9 months of feeling everything one does through a pregnancy and then culminating into a "feel-nothing" L&D was a huge letdown and it wasn't what I wanted with my second pregnancy.  So I started looking for a doula to help my husband and I out as we navigated through the journey to a natural labor.  I was thrilled when I stumbled upon Michelle's website and instantly felt as though she would be the right person.  I was crossing my fingers that she would be available for my due date.  I had viewed a few other doula websites but was impressed by the wealth of information she had up and I could see how passionate she was about her job.  She responded very quickly to my request of meeting her and said she was available for my due date.  We met her for the first time in July 2010 and felt comfortable with her right off the bat.  She was friendly and sweet and really knew her stuff.  We decided she was definitely the one we wanted by our side in the hospital when our son was ready to make his debut.  Throughout my pregnancy, she helped us make informed decisions within our comfort zone and never tried to push her own agenda.  She constantly stressed that she was there for us and would support us with whatever decisions we made regarding our L&D experience.  We gained a ton of confidence with the information she would present us with and I was actually excited to have this baby and to do it all drug free!  My husband and I were looking forward to having her with us in the hospital and knew she would be right there every step of the way to help us get through all the hospital policies and to stick to our guns with our own decisions.  Unfortunately when the big day came, Michelle wasn't able to make it to the birth and we didn't even make it to the hospital (due to a very fast labor and birth)!  We had our son on our bathroom floor with just my husband and I present for the delivery.  We were getting ready to go to the hospital but baby decided he couldn't wait!  It was an absolutely crazy experience but we were both so calm throughout it all and I really credit it to Michelle and to just how much knowledge and confidence we gained from having her as our doula.  I knew my body was capable of giving birth on its own and it sure proved that to us!  We were disappointed that she wasn't there but were flying high knowing we had made it through on our own and completely drug free.  We were transferred from home to the hospital since it wasn't a planned home-birth and my husband had called 911 right before I delivered.  Michelle met us there and provided support for us while we were in the hospital.  Once again, just having someone there who was on our side and knew all the hospital policies and could help us make the right choices was invaluable.  Even though my son is only 5 months old, I am already looking forward to my next pregnancy and to working with Michelle again.  And hopefully this time, we'll all be present for the delivery!
~The Gregga Family

Wow, words cannot even express how thankful I am that I had Michelle’s support during my pregnancy, labor and birth!  She was such a huge help and comfort to me and my family throughout the entire experience.  Going into this I didn’t know much about doulas and really had no idea what to expect, but I figured scheduling a meeting couldn’t hurt.  Best decision I ever made!  Within minutes of meeting Michelle I knew that she was someone I wanted by my side during birth.  She truly loves pregnancy, childbirth, and being a part of the entire process, and it really shows!  Her enthusiasm made me feel even more confident and excited about my birth plan.  Throughout my pregnancy she was always there to answer all of my (many, many) questions and ease my fears, and when the time came for my little one to be born she came right over as soon as I needed her.  She knew exactly what to do and how to help me get labor to progress, she was full of energy and ready for anything!  She stayed right by my side whenever I needed her there (which was most of the time) and she kept me moving and laughing between contractions, which was just what I wanted!  I have such fond memories of that night and most of them include Michelle.  Toward the end, when I told her I couldn't do it anymore, she smiled at me and said, “You ARE doing it!”  I will never forget that moment!  It was exactly what I needed to hear…and I DID do it!  I had an absolutely perfect birth!  I don't know how things would have turned out without Michelle, she added a level of comfort and confidence that I can’t imagine I would have had otherwise.  I am so, so thankful for her!  Her wisdom and support were absolutely priceless, and now that I know all about doulas, if we are ever blessed with another child, Michelle will be the first person I call!  Thank you, Michelle!  You rock!
~Kat

We hired Michelle 10 minutes after our interview ended, because she seemed so knowledgeable and supportive. Michelle learned all of my Hypnobabies scripts and tools to help with pain management.  When my water broke early and I had to go to the hospital because of  GBS,  Michelle met us right away, and proceeded to help get my labor started.  She walked every step and did every lunge with me.  When I ended up needing Pitocin she was there to support and comfort me and my husband. When I felt like I was losing it, Michelle read my scripts to me and helped me stay in control.  She was in the front lines when I needed her and in the background when I needed my husband.  Our baby was born 36 hours after we got to the hospital, Michelle was there the entire time.  We don't know what we would have done without her.  Because of her help, knowledge and support we were able to have a wonderful birth.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect birth and doula.  We love you Michelle,  
~Maggie, Jeremy and Baby Nolan  Cuprisin

Michelle was readily available with any questions we had before, during, and after the birth of our son Geovaney.  Michelle provided us with a wealth of information from all aspects of the birthing process.  Since this was our first child, we obviously did not know what to expect, and Michelle did an outstanding job as our Doula.  Her presence and support during the actual labor was invaluable to us.
~The Marasigan Family

We had the great experience of having Michelle at the birth of our second son in 2009.  She was an awesome support person to have on our side.  We had a natural hospital birth.  She knew exactly what mom needed and when she needed it.  She was also a great support in the weeks leading up to the birth when I needed a "cheerleader" to keep me going and excited about the birth.  We loved her so much we are using her again for our 3rd baby due in a couple months!  Can't say enough great things about her!
~Jessica

When I was preparing to give birth to my first child, I didn't know where to start. Someone told me the best decision they ever made in their birthing experience was to hire a doula. So I searched all over online and came across Michelle's website. We met and clicked right away. There are many things I love about Michelle, but I will only list a few; She is very open to all types of birthing experiences. She has her own personal views but never once did I feel that she tried to "convince" me to do something I didn't want to do or even make me feel bad for doing things a certain way. She is also SO knowledgeable about the birthing process! I felt like an expert at the end of it all! And best of all, she is a kind and wonderful woman. I am so thankful that I found Michelle because even after 37 hrs of labor and a few hiccups in my original birthing plan, I look back and I am HAPPY about the way it turned out. So many women cannot say this because they felt so unprepared for how things actually turned out. But having Michelle by my side to educate me, comfort me and be my rock, I have to say the actual birth of my son was nothing short of amazing.
~Carli


Michelle and I connected from the first moment we met. She was the second doula I had interviewed and within minutes I knew I wouldn't want anyone else at my birth. My situation was unusual in that I was a surrogate for a same sex couple but Michelle didn't bat an eye and was incredibly excited and supportive. My intended fathers also came to love Michelle and now tell everyone they meet that is pregnant that a doula is the best investment in your birth you could possibly make.  Logan's birth was intense and Michelle was with me every step of the way. It absolutely would not have been the amazing experience it was without her by my side. I was so upset that she wasn't able to be at my next birth because I had moved so far away but she has become a friend so I was still able to call her the day my son was born.  Michelle is an amazing woman and the best support person I could imagine. I would never dream of having anyone else by my side during childbirth. She is incredible.
~Wendy