About Your Doula, Melissa

Melissa Hunter

Let me introduce myself. My name is Melissa Hunter, and I am a responsible, nurturing, attentive woman focused on helping families navigate the storms of the postpartum “fourth trimester.”

My path to the doula profession has been a long and winding one. After high school, I pursued what seemed practical at the time…a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Yet, by my senior year I realized this was not where I belonged. I finished my degree and then pursued a teaching credential so that I could teach high school science. I enjoyed working with adolescents, but the pressure from the daily deadlines and my own perfectionism coupled with school politics led me to move onwards. The next bend on this winding path was working in advertising and public relations for environmental and public health issues. Thanks to the crashing economy in the fall of 2008, I found myself to be numbered among the unemployed with a lot of soul searching to do.

Two years earlier, my husband and I gave birth to our precious daughter, Amelie. The pregnancy was difficult, the labor was long and trying, and the postpartum challenges rocked my world. I had been so used to being a competent, successful, professional woman. I researched and prepared the best I could, but I was not able to adapt with ease as I had daydreamed. Parenthood has been very humbling.

I wish I had arranged for more support at home with the cooking and cleaning. Many days I would just eat cereal and milk all day because I was too tired to cook and wasn’t sure how to do things while holding the baby. It turned out that our daughter developed food sensitivities to wheat and dairy. I was so frightened when at 2 months old I started seeing green, mucous-filled poop tinged with blood. The screaming in pain and stiffening of her body like a board was very hard to witness. We started eliminating dairy from our diets and then wheat, and everything got better. It was quite a steep learning curve. I would have given an arm and a leg for postpartum doula support during this time had I known it was an option. Several months passed before I learned how to wear Amelie in a wrap or confidently give her a bath. Some instruction and reassurance would have really helped along with practical help around the house.

Fast forward to December of 2008, knee deep in soul searching. I met a woman who had previously worked as a postpartum doula in the San Diego area. Feeling a tug and a pull of my heart in that direction, I researched the profession and attended a 27-hour training in February of 2009 by Doulas of North America (DONA) in Los Angeles.

The more I study child development, the more I become aware of the importance of the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth, and postpartum). This precious time lays the foundation for trust and connection that can affect each of us throughout our life.

My goal is to help families gently integrate and celebrate their newest additions into the family, and I see the role of postpartum doula as a perfect arena to support families.

I truly believe in women’s instincts and the ability of families to make healthy decisions when they are supported and feel safe. I choose to work with families in the perinatal period because it is an area where I can use the best of my skills: empathic listening, honest communication, compassion, and nurturing caregiving. As a postpartum doula, I believe my work with families fosters health and peace at large in our society.

Certifications and Training