Hi, I’m Melissa!

A scenic landscape of a wide green valley with a winding river, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman with long brown hair and a bright smile, wearing a sleeveless blue and white striped top and a yellow skirt, sitting on a sofa with textured and patterned pillows, in front of a light gray brick wall.

I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. Birth, to me, is never just about the arrival of a baby — it’s a profound transformation at the very core of who you are. My role as a doula is to walk alongside you with steady, compassionate support so that you feel informed, respected, and truly cared for in this season of life.

My path into doula work has been shaped by both love and loss. When my first child was born in 2017, conception came easily, pregnancy was smooth, and I was fortunate to experience the empowering birth I had hoped for. That baby became the first great love of my life, and I poured myself wholeheartedly into motherhood and his care.

Years later, when my husband and I hoped to grow our family, the journey looked very different. I faced secondary infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and round after round of unsuccessful treatments before finally welcoming our second child in 2023. His conception was complicated, his birth came five weeks early, and we endured a NICU stay followed by months of ongoing medical care.

Close-up of a sleeping newborn baby with closed eyes, soft skin, and tiny hands resting on its chest, lying on a blanket.
Newborn baby wearing a white knit hat with blue accents, lying on a hospital blanket with printed colorful footprints, and connected to a nasal cannula.

Living through these contrasting experiences of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum made it clear how deeply it matters to have someone in your corner — someone who listens, advocates, and helps you feel safe and grounded, no matter how your path unfolds. That realization is what called me to this work, and it’s why I feel so honored to support families today.

As a certified doula, I’m committed to showing up fully for every family I serve. I stay current on continuing education and my vaccinations, and I continue to grow in cultural and social awareness so I can honor your unique journey into parenthood.

When I’m not supporting families, you can often find me hiking with my husband and our two vivacious children, reading with a cat (or two) in my lap, walking our senior dog, or sweating it out in a yoga class.

My greatest hope is that in working together, you feel as deeply supported as you deserve — both empowered by my skilled expertise and gently comforted by the personal perspective I bring from my own journey. I can’t wait to sit with you, hear your hopes and questions, and walk alongside you as your unique story unfolds.

Ready to see what personalized doula support looks like?

What Does My Background Mean for My Doula Services?

Because I’ve walked both straightforward and challenging paths myself, I hold a special place in my heart for families navigating high-risk pregnancies, pregnancies following fertility journeys, birth after loss, or stories that don’t always follow the “average” script. At the same time, I believe every family deserves knowledgable, compassionate care — whether your journey feels complex or relatively smooth so far.

When you invite me into your birth space, my role is to meet you exactly where you are, honor your choices, and remind you of your strength. My support goes beyond simply “being there.” You can expect:

  • Skillful, hands-on comfort — guiding you into positions that ease labor intensity, offering physical touch, and helping your partner feel confident in supporting you.

  • Clear, accessible information — empowering you to make decisions that feel right for you, never pushing, always respecting your autonomy.

  • Grounding support and emotional steadiness — offering a calm presence you can lean on when labor feels intense or plans take an unexpected turn.

The inspiration behind Riverbend Doula Services is the natural flow of rivers: powerful, resilient, and ever-changing. Birth, like a river, is rarely a straight line — but with the right support, you can navigate each bend with courage and strength. My goal is to help you feel calm, capable, and deeply supported as your own birth story unfolds.

It is a true honor to step into this sacred space with families. With my care, I hope you feel grounded, nurtured, and fully empowered — ready to welcome your baby in your own unique, beautiful way.

Certifications & Trainings

  • Trained with Ana Hill through Rocky Mountain Doula

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) can be an excellent source of pain relief with few disadvantages. For clients looking for non-medical pain management, use of a TENS unit could be an excellent resource.

  • Completed coursework designed for providers seeking knowledge and skills related to cultural competency and person-centered care across the continuum of maternal health care.

  • Designed for those who are at risk for on-the-job exposure to blood and other bodily fluids in the workplace. The course teaches how bloodborne pathogens are spread how to avoid exposure and what to do if exposed to infectious material. This protects both me AND you!

Contact me!

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!