Melissa Vernon, Doula & Childbirth Educator

Hi, I'm Melissa, a seasoned birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. I was drawn to this field ten years ago after the birth of my sweet oldest son. I was just 21 when I had him, and got swept into the medicalized system so quickly, it felt like my pregnancy and birth had been stolen from me. Looking back, that experience marked the beginning of a shift in me. It made me start asking questions—about my care, about my choices, and about what birth could look like. Deep down, I knew: there had to be another way.

So I unraveled what I had been taught about birth and I rewrote my story. I welcomed my second and third babies at home—with full trust in my body, my baby, and the support that surrounded me. If you're feeling that same pull, if you sense there’s another way, or if you simply want to make your own fully informed decisions during this sacred time—I’m here to walk alongside you. As a childbirth educator and doula, I'm commitment to ensuring my client's feel empowered, informed, and don't have to navigate this transition alone. 

I'm trained through DONA International, Women's Choice Perinatal Services, The Newborn Care Training Academy, and Lamaze International. While education is important, nothing has taught me more than my hands-on experience - I’ve held the hands of strong, laboring women, offering steady encouragement as they brought new life into the world. I’ve rocked countless babies in the quiet hours of the night so their parents could rest, and supported mothers as they healed and found their footing in the early postpartum days. Each family that I've had the honor of serving has truly shaped me into the doula that I am today. 

In addition to birth-work, I have a background in parent coaching. I've served as a Parenting Specialist at a women’s treatment center for substance abuse, where I provided parent coaching to mothers navigating CPS involvement. This experience deepened my passion for supporting families in all walks of life, particularly those navigating complex challenges.

 One of the things that I love most about birth work is the education piece. When parents truly understand the birth process and the choices available to them, they approach labor and parenthood feeling more prepared and capable. This is where my workshops and classes come in. I take a holistic approach to teaching, emphasizing the mind-body connection and highlighting the power of physiological birth. Drawing from my years of experience, my classes and workshops are thoughtfully designed to spark engaging discussions, with fun, hands-on learning that provide you with practical tools to navigate labor, birth, and the early postpartum period with greater ease.

Originally from San Antonio, I now call Austin, TX home, where I live with my wonderful husband and our four kids. Outside of work, I enjoy a good audio book, trying out new recipes, thrifting for hidden treasures, and soaking up time with my family.