Melissa Friesen
Certified with the International Doula Institute
Medicaid Approved
Hi parents! Congrats on your soon-to-be-in-the-outside-world tiny human! I am here to support you with evidence-based information, physical birth assistance, emotional care, empowerment, and love.
Originally from Germany, I’ve always loved supporting and empowering others. With a Master’s in Education, I’ve worked with children and adults across three continents. Becoming a Certified Doula allowed me to combine my passion for education with hands-on care, helping parents approach birth with confidence and joy. It is a true privilege to support parents during one of the most transformative times of their lives.
My Philosophy
I believe birth is like a dance — the birther leads, and the partner and I follow their rhythm. Every step, sway, and pause is guided by intuition. Your body already knows how to give birth; it has been getting ready for months. And if the rhythm falters, your partner and I step in together — steadying, encouraging, and helping you find your beat again — until you’re ready to lead once more.
As a Spinning Babies trained doula, I purposefully suggest positions and movement that encourage labor progress and help your baby find an optimal position for birth. I also use breathing techniques, massage and therapeutic touch, guided relaxation, hydrotherapy, counter-pressure, as well as setting the atmosphere with lights and aromatherapy. Wherever possible, I show the partner how to use these techniques so they can be actively involved and stay close to the birther throughout labor. I also facilitate clear communication within the birth team, using the BRAIN acronym to help parents make informed decisions.
I have supported all kinds of birth — medicated, unmedicated, vaginal, VBAC, Cesarean — and birth is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you hope for an unmedicated birth, plan to use pain relief, or simply want to see what feels right in the moment, I support you without judgment. My role is to create a calm, safe space where your wishes are respected, your options are clear, and you and your partner feel like the most empowered team in the room.
Who am I outside of doula-ing?
When I’m not supporting families as a doula, you can find me dancing, practicing yoga, or playing piano. I love hiking with my small-but-daring family of four and hosting cozy dinner parties where good food and laughter are always on the menu.
Meet Melissa
Hear from Melissa’s clients
“Melissa is INCREDIBLE!! I found her very last minute, when the expected course of my birth had changed. Despite having only 24–48 hours’ notice, she immediately built a genuine connection with me, understood what I was looking for, and made me feel supported from the very first moment. Her compassion and kindness are palpable. Even before labor began, she went far beyond what I expected—helping me try to turn my breech baby with exercises, ideas, and videos, sharing resources to prepare for labor, and even generously offering to accompany me to my ECV. Once I was in the hospital, she stayed in regular contact, sending calming encouragement and helpful tips, and truly felt like part of my team. When she arrived, she immediately knew how to make both the room and me more comfortable—helping me prepare and use the bath, offering an encouraging word or refreshing ice chip at exactly the right moment, and providing steady, intuitive support throughout labor.
What I appreciated most was the balance Melissa struck. She was proactive, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful without ever being intrusive or taking away from the experience my husband and I were having together. She brought exactly the right combination of expertise, coaching, warmth, and comfort while still giving us space. Her care also continued after the birth, with thoughtful follow-ups to see how I was doing and another check-in around the one-month mark. I truly cannot recommend Melissa enough. Anyone would be incredibly lucky to have her as their doula—she is compassionate, intuitive, generous, and genuinely invested in the families she supports.”
“Melissa was amazing. She offered great support and advice before I was in active labor and before we asked her to arrive to the hospital. And after my labor progressed really quickly post-epidural, Melissa raced over to the hospital to make it in time to help for the pushing stage. She helped make the pushing stage an overall great experience - she gave very helpful wrist and jaw massages, helped with pushing technique, provided overall good vibes and support, and took amazing photos of the birth. Would highly recommend having a doula and especially Melissa!”