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Hannah
I'll never forget the first time I talked to Hannah on the phone in May of 2020. She was funny with a southern accent and said, "I've...
Melissa Duenas Diary of a Doula
Oct 3, 20208 min read
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Claudia: VBA2C
We just kept moving her trying to find the best position. However, we were seeing signs that would prove this baby was as big as everyone ha
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Aug 20, 201911 min read
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Rosie: First time mom
We arrived to the hospital at 6pm. The nurses and midwives watched Rosie labor. One of the nurses, Katherine, engaged Rosie and the first th
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Jul 1, 20195 min read
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Julie: A Precipitous Birth
I arrived to Julie's house at 6:46am to a familiar sight. Julie was kneeling on her living room floor, body draped over a yoga ball, moa
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Jun 25, 20198 min read
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Michaela: En caul hospital birth
The doctor standing next to me motioned with his hand that he wanted Michaela to flip over and Jen, very politely said, "She's doin
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Apr 25, 20195 min read
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Helen: A home birth story
Her first hurdle, was that she was actually in labor. I asked her questions that would allow her to affirm this as really true and active la
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Apr 25, 20197 min read
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Diane: A doula's home birth
Quinn and Theresa, Diane's mother, were present and their anxious energy was palpable. Every time Diane would moan they would go by her
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Apr 21, 20196 min read
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Erinne: Homebirth Cesarean
Erinne got back in the tub and at this point was sleeping on and off for longer stretches. Her contractions had spaced out, her body was tir
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Apr 9, 20197 min read
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"Just you and I defying gravity..."
Stephanie sent me some messages and pictures of her skin and was diagnosed with something worse, shingles at 38 weeks pregnant. She was mise
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Feb 11, 20198 min read
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VBA2C makes 7
I remember meeting Felicia for the first time like it was yesterday. My schedule was full for the month she was due, but she said a...
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Jan 31, 20196 min read
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This Feels Like a Mother...
n this picture, Liz is past her due date, 4cm dilated, talking and laughing with her mother.  Liz is contemplating walking out of her sched
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Jan 15, 20195 min read
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Jaimee & Pete
watched Sarah walk into the other room where Sera was located. I felt a pit in my stomach. I knew what I heard wasn't something to dismi
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Aug 4, 20188 min read
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Clinesha, Ron, & Jade
At 6:48am I received a text from Clinesha that something had changed overnight. She was 4 days past her due date, and wondering if she...
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Mar 20, 20186 min read
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"I don't really like babies"
The phrase, "I don't really like babies" often slips out of my mouth during consults. As soon as I say it, I always feel a sense of...
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Nov 6, 20172 min read
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When determination and advocation get together, magic can happen...
I will never forget the anxious feeling radiating off of Victoria the first time I met in her person. She sat on a couch across from Lisa...
Melissa Duenas
Oct 29, 20175 min read
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Amy's VBAC
My phone rang at 5:46am, and a fellow doula called me in to assist in the support of Amy's attempt at a VBAC. (Make sure your doula has a...
Melissa Duenas Mama Warrior Doula
Aug 7, 20173 min read
16 views
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