Devoted Hands Doula

Welcome! You've reached an experienced doula in Durango.
--Not currently accepting clients for nannying or births (photography sessions still offered)--

Congratulations on this exciting season of your life! Becoming a mother is a momentous and beautiful event, whether it is for the first time, or whether you have had children before. Sometimes the joyful anticipation of meeting your little one is mixed with worries about how the birth will go. As the birth day approaches, it's almost like nearing Mt. Everest. You know that the only way to see the magnificent view (of your child's face for the first time) is to climb the mountain (give birth), but you are wise to build a support team around you to ensure that you have the most optimal journey possible. After all, you'd never dream of climbing Mt. Everest without an experienced sherpa to coach you through step by step. A doula is a sherpa for birth.

My name is Melanie Ellison. As the most experienced doula currently serving in the Durango area, I love to support my clients emotionally, physically, and informationally, to help them have optimal birth experiences. My extensive training and multiple certifications in comfort techniques, relaxation exercises, visualization, and more has caused moms to remark in testimonials how well their birth went due to the support I gave them.

How a doula can help you have a shorter, easier, and healthier birth

What is a doula?

A doula is a trained labor companion who provides skilled emotional, physical, and informational support.

If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.
- John H. Kennell, M.D., Co-founder of DONA International

Studies show that the presence of trained doulas at births results in*:
50% reduction in rate of cesareans
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in oxytocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
* Klaus, M.; Kennel, J.; Klaus, P. Mothering the Mother: How a doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth. MA: Addison-Wesley, 1993

Would a doula displace my partner?

As a doula, I do my job best when I bring the two of you closer together as a couple. A good doula strengthens your partner's role, and does not replace it. Most fathers do not have the degree of training and experience with birth that a doula does, so your partner will likely be more comfortable supporting you while he himself is coached with reassurance and knowledge from me as a doula. Studies actually show that "with doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather than pull away in times of stress" ("Dads and Doulas," DONA International).

Is a doula only for hospital births?

A doula can help make every birth more peaceful and positive.
In the hospital setting, a doula is invaluable to reduce fear and provide comfort techniques as a continuous companion when busy hospital staff have to come and go while monitoring other patients. A doula also serves as an advocate with the staff to make sure your wishes are honored.

In the homebirth setting, a doula provides emotional and physical support that frees up the midwife to focus on the clinical side of the birth, so she can save her energy to make life-saving decisions. The specialized attention of both gives you a safer and more comfortable birth. In addition, not all midwives are able to be present throughout the whole course of labor, whereas a doula can come support you even in early labor and remain at your side from then on.