Melissa, Danielle and January,

I cannot express to each of you how grateful I am for the roles you played in helping to guide Mabel into the world. Despite my best laid plans, she obviously had other intentions for her arrival.

January - having you in the room after the procedure was the one constant that I could hang on to during that crazy day. Everyone else was so focused on baby and seeing her...but you were there for me and that was a HUGE deal. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Danielle - knowing that you and Melissa were there with me in spirit was so comforting. And being able to talk to each of you about my experience has helped me makes some peace with the day and get to the important business of ensuring the health and happiness of my daughter. She is growing strong thanks to each of you.

Just goes to show in a situation with a c-section, having the support of a doula and a group of positive women makes all the difference.  ~ Thank you! Amber, Josh and Mabel

My husband and I met Melissa Johnson through childbirth birth classes at Yoga Ananda in Jacksonville.  The day before classes started, I thought that registering for them was a mistake.  Despite thinking that classes wouldn’t teach me anything that I couldn’t learn by actually birthing the baby, I hesitantly went with my supportive husband.

What we discovered through our birthing and, subsequently, our HypnoBirthing classes with Melissa, is that childbirth was not merely a means to get our baby.  We began to learn that birth could also be a gratifying experience in its own right.  I actually became excited, rather than nervous, about going into labor.  

Even with my confidence growing, I knew that to comfortably attain a natural childbirth we would need someone with us to navigate the hospital setting.  Not only were my husband and I naïve about having a baby, we were also novices at meandering through the medical practices that we were soon to confront.  From this, we hoped that a doula could help us make our birth as safe and pleasant as possible.  Melissa not only did this for us, but she also provided emotional support as well.  Her companionship always felt natural- -as though we knew her, and could rely on her like family.  

The combination of Melissa’s and doula presence and HypnoBirthing training supplied us with the tools that we needed to face the entire birthing process.  My husband no longer had to bear the burden of consoling and helping me alone, and I no longer had to worry about the making sure the hospital staff would support our requests.  Melissa made sure that we attained our optimal birth and stayed with us throughout the entire process.  Not only would I recommend each class we took to prepare us for our baby’s birth, but I hope to have Melissa’s doula support if we have another baby.

If you want to increase the rewards of your birth and decrease the concerns, then I know Melissa can also offer you those gifts.  --Tina Shariff

My husband and I enrolled in the HypnoBirthing (Childbirth) classes to try and better prepare ourselves for childbirth. We very much enjoyed the classes and were impressed with the variety of techniques introduced. We found the HypnoBirthing techniques to be highly effective, allowing us to experience an amazing natural birth. We were also highly impressed by the instructor, Melissa, so much so we asked her to be our birth doula. Melissa was an integral part of our birthing process. She helped us to have the birth we envisioned. She supported us prior to the birth, was a fixture for the entire duration of my labor and continues to be a source of support well after our daughter was born. I do not believe my birth experience would have been so fulfilling if it had not been for Melissa and the HypnoBirthing techniques.

My husband and I had no idea what a Doula was prior to watching a childbirth education video.  I was going through my pregnancy not thinking too much about the delivery, but did know that I did not want an epidural.  After learning of what a Doula was, we both looked at each other and thought this is something that we should definitely look into.  My husband, because he wasn’t sure how I was going to get through this without drugs and me because I thought it would be great to have another support person at my birth. 

I did some research online and Doulananda was the only company in Jacksonville that had multiple Doulas working together.  All others were home-based single person businesses.  After having our first consult, I knew that Melissa Johnson was going to be so much more than just a person attending my birth.

Melissa was extremely informative and brought up many topics for discussion that I had not even thought about.  If I wanted to know more on a particular subject, she would pull the information for me.  She has a wealth of information and shared it without pushing her own beliefs.  She was available to talk any time and was there to support the final months of my pregnancy, in addition to being there for my daughter’s birth.   She also gave me the confidence to discuss what I expected from my birth with my doctor.  I found that my doctor did not agree with pretty much any of my expectations.  I am so glad that I found this out when I did and decided to change to someone that would respect the plan that I had for my birth. 

I ended up going to 41 weeks, and came really close to having to be induced.  In that final week, Melissa helped me to arrange an appointment with an Acupuncturist for labor induction and labor comfort.  After my third appointment and having my membranes stripped earlier that day, I went into labor late that evening and had my daughter early the next morning.   My labor was very quick and I made it through without the epidural.  I went into labor without fear and in complete control, which is why I feel like my delivery went so well.  Melissa played a HUGE part in the confidence I had in the final weeks of my pregnancy, going through labor and having my daughter.  Thank you so much Melissa!!!!

My husband and I moved to Jacksonville, FL just a few weeks before my estimated due date, so we thought having a doula would make our birthing experience easier.  We had spoken to Melissa over the phone, and decided to also take the HypnoBirthing class with her.  To say that I’m pleased with my experience would be a huge understatement.  Melissa went above and beyond-  helping us choose a hospital that better fit our wishes, sharing books with us to help enhance our experience, and encouraging us when our due date had passed.  Her friendly demeanor, wisdom and thoughtfulness helped to make her the perfect addition to our birthing experience.  She truly helped us find our strength, courage, and peace in a very trying time.   Melissa has our very highest recommendation.

When I became pregnant my husband Mike and I were excited, scared, and elated all at once. At first little thought was given to the birth itself, but the more informed we became, the more we realized how important the act of giving birth is.  We decided that having a doula was the way to go, but I was a little nervous about having someone I didn’t know be with us.  That was before I met January!  I right away felt comfortable with her, and knew that she was a special, kind person. 

As our doula, January was constantly on call and checking in throughout my pregnancy, always offering support.  She helped my husband and I become organized with our birth plan, and met with us often simply to get to know us.

When the day  arrived, I can’t imagine her not being there.  With her encouragement and coaching I was much more relaxed than I would have been, and was able to practice Hypnobirthing techniques to help guide me through labor.  Looking back, Mike and I can’t imagine what we would have done without her!  I am happy she was there to help us welcome our son into the world, and I recommend her as a doula with all my heart.

Carolyn, Mike and Baby Collin Denman

My HypnoBrth 
I started having surges around 5:30am and then started my bloody show around 6:30am. I was excited and I was not nervous or afraid at all. I stayed at home, took a shower, did laundry, ate lunch etc. until about 2:30pm when my surges were about 3 to 4 minutes apart.  The surges during that time were not bad at all. I just stopped what I was doing and used my slow breath through them. When I got to the triage room I went to the bathroom and my water released. They checked me and I was 5 cm dilated.  I was checked into my birthing suite and since I was GBS positive they gave me the antibiotic through my IV.  After it was done I put on the rainbow relaxation and listened to it once and then put on Norah Jones for the rest of the time.  

Throughout labor I was walking around the room, sitting on the toilet, and sitting in bed.  When I was walking around the room and had a surge, I hugged my husband and breathed through surge.  Then I continued on walking.  When I sat on the toilet and sat in bed I just breathed through my surges.  I had my eyes closed the whole time and didn't want anyone to talk or touch me.  I was in my own world. After each surge I would drink a sip of water or eat some ice. I also had my husband put wet towels on my forehead and neck throughout the labor process.
 
At around 4:30pm I was 8 cm dilated. The nurse midwife told me to keep doing what I was doing because it was working. By that time I was breathing down the baby (it kind of felt like I was pushing with each breath) I did that for a while (mostly walking around and also in bed).  The next time they checked me around 6:30pm the baby was at +2 (station).  Then the midwife had me try to squat with my surges to see if we could get her crowning.  I used the back of a chair and the bed to hold on to and squat when I had a surge.  I did that for a little while then they checked me and she hadn't moved down.  Then the midwife had me do traditional pushing to see if that would move her down at all.  She moved a little but not much. 

The next time the midwife came in she said that the baby has been in the birth canal for about 2 1/2 hours and they will only let her stay like that for 3 hours.  She was concerned she may be too big to fit because she seemed to be stuck on the cervical lip so she was going to call the doctor.  She said the doctor may have to use the vacuum or worst case they may have to do a c-section.  I did not want either of those things to happen after all day of being in labor.  When the midwife left to call the doctor the nurse I had was like “ok let’s get this baby out”. She had me do traditional pushing. She had everyone that was in the room hold my legs up and she had me really push and bear down as much as I could.  About 20 minutes later my beautiful baby girl was born :). She was born at 8:40pm. She was 7 pounds 14 oz and 20 inch long. The whole labor process really wasn't that bad it was awesome. The nurses and midwife said it was the best HypnoBirth they have seen. Thanks for all your help. All the practice relaxing really worked.

The birth of my daughter was anything other than what I expected.  We had planned a  quiet, intimate home birth and ended up transferring to the hospital after 36 hrs. 42 hours after my birthing began, 5 hours of which were spent surrounded by hospital dramatics and commands to PUSH, I finally held my beautiful baby girl in my arms. But despite the length of my labor and the unexpected transfer I was able to have a birth that I am at peace with – one that I even enjoy talking about – thanks to the dedication of my doula, January Zuk, and the invaluable Hypnobirthing tools that we used together. 

As I mentioned before, my birthing involved 36 hours, completely natural, at home. Without January’s support I just don’t think I could have  lasted so long. Together, especially in early labor, we practiced many Hypnobirthing relaxation and visualization techniques. As my labor progressed January was invaluable in helping me utilize Hypnobirthing breathing techniques. She was constantly at my side and provided me with any comfort that I needed – whether it was a drink, a hand to hold, or a cold compress, she was encouraging and comforting throughout my entire, long, birthing. I was fully dilated for almost 12 hours at home and I really credit Hypnobirthing and January’s support for allowing me to remain calm and collected, even though I wasn’t making any progress getting my daughter to come out. Yes, there was discomfort, but I never felt overwhelmed by it. I never felt that I couldn’t do it. I never felt like I needed to cry or scream or panic. 

When we made the decision to transfer to the hospital, January packed a bag for me and made sure that I didn’t have to worry about a thing. She met me at the hospital door and got me to Labor and Delivery while my husband parked the car. She was with me throughout the admittance process and supported me while I discussed paperwork with the on-call nurse. The nurses were surprised at home calmly I was able to discuss (and negotiate!) through the paperwork and I know that again Hypnobirthing was my saving grace. I was told that they even mentioned to January at how surprised they were by my calmness at my stage of labor. 

January stayed with me at the hospital for the entire 6 hours that it took to finally deliver my baby girl. She ended up being stuck behind my pubic bones and had to have a little assistance to make it through. Although the birthing was not taking the course I had planned, January helped me remember to breath my baby down and therefore, even though my birthing was uncommonly long and had slight complications, my baby was never in distress and I was able to avoid a cesarean and deliver my baby vaginally. 
 
I truly believe that Hypnobirthing is the reason I was able to have a vaginal delivery, despite the length and complications of my daughter’s
birth. And I know that having a compassionate doula’s support is the only reason that I was able to remain at home for as long as I did. If I had been in the hospital for the entire length of my labor I am certain I would have ended up with many more interventions, an induction, and most likely a cesarean. With January’s support and compassion I was able to deliver my baby girl in a way that was acceptable to me and I am eternally grateful to her for that gift. 

One might ask... "Why have a natural birth and go through all of that?”  For me, the answer was easy. I had been blessed with the greatest gift of my life... a baby!  I wanted to experience everything; especially my baby's birth!  Just like all the other women who had gone before me and birthed their babies with strength and power, I wanted to experience the same. So, I prepared myself.  I took a Hypnobirthing Childbirth class with Melissa, practiced and taught Prenatal Yoga, and surrounded myself with supportive people and positive, natural birth stories.  I stayed away from negative media; TV shows, internet, etc.  I became physically and mentally prepared for my baby's birth.  Our bodies are very wise. Just as my body knew how to create my baby, and give life to my baby for nine months, my body knew how to birth my baby. It is instinct within us.  Women have been birthing babies for thousands of years, since the beginning of mankind.  I was confident in my body's ability to birth my baby, and I was committed to my decision of natural birth.  For me, I did not want to numb my body and be robbed of such an amazing experience. It's life-changing, empowering, and absolutely the most beautiful moment of a woman's life.  I've now had 3 natural births, including a birth-center birth and a homebirth.  Staying confident and relaxed throughout the birth is key, and learning and practicing Hypnobirthing helped tremendously in preparing me for my births and ultimately achieving the beautiful births I desired.
 ~ Michelle Baur

Although my birth story was not one of natural methods, you were there to support me and to support Chad as we dealt with the situation handed to us. In the end, Adeley is a healthy, growing little girl and you helped her enter the world with peaceful thoughts and affirmations as Mommy dealt with the medical issues. Thank you for that.