Practice overview
I am a DONA certified doula working throughout Connecticut to support parents on their prenatal, birth, and postpartum journeys. I have experience with multiples, home births, water births, and hospital births. I have worked with those needing strong a human rights advocate and can assist you in gathering the information you need to make informed decisions. I am able to physically support you through birth by utilizing Spinning Babies techniques, as well as information from Birth Monopoly to help inform you of your birthing rights. I also have a Masters Degree in Special Education, and have been a special education teacher for 5 years. Working with children and families has always been my niche, and being a Doula is the best of both worlds. I am here to encourage, love, and empower you as you embark on this life changing experience. Every birthing person deserves to be supported through their pregnancy and postpartum period. Please don't hesitate to reach out for more information!
Jillian
January 17, 2023 at 11:02 am | Client reviewWe hired Marissa as our doula to guide us through the birth of our first child. We were so happy with our decision and experience as Marissa has been a wonderful advocate, resource, and support during our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and throughout postpartum. We feel strongly that having her by our side for delivery helped make the experience so much more positive and smooth. Marissa was extremely professional, knowledgeable, comforting, compassionate, and helpful during the very overwhelming process of child birth. Throughout pregnancy she provided answers to our many questions. Throughout postpartum she has checked in on us and the baby regularly continuing to answer our questions and provide us with resources and her support. We couldn’t have imagined going through this without her by our side and highly recommend her services for all expectant parents!
Emily
January 19, 2023 at 10:35 am | Client reviewMarissa is amazing!! I cannot recommend the having a doula enough- having Marissa was an added bonus! Not only does she know her stuff but she also has the most calm demeanor. She’s easy to relate to and is so willing to help elevate your experience in any way possible. Her knowledge was incredible and gave insight to myself and husband as to where we were throughout early labor right up through delivery. Couldn’t say enough great things about Marissa.. highly recommend!!
Marissa
September 26, 2023 at 4:42 pm | Client reviewMarissa was so wonderful to have throughout my birth experience. She was in tune with my needs even before I was able to voice them. My labor and delivery was short and intense and her calm nature gave me the reassurance I needed. She suggested great positions for laboring and once I found the best position she would adjust her ways to best support me- whether it was pushing on my lower back, showing my husband how to hold me and gently rock back and forth, getting me water or a snack, etc. Her down to earth easy going charisma made both my husband and I feel like we were hanging out with a good friend. As things amped up in my labor I started to feel as if I wanted to give up, Marissa’s encouragement and reassurance got me through it. I truly couldn’t have done it without her!
-Jennifer Dahlgren Lodge