What’s so wonderful about Michelle is that she is so clearly both extremely passionate and knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth. Her experience is totally invaluable. I knew I could trust her to do whatever ended up being necessary during labor — whether that was helping to ensure baby was in an optimal position, being an advocate, offering guidance or simply supporting me through the experience. When concerns came up during my pregnancy, having her input helped put my mind at ease. We loved working with Michelle!

I took a very wonderful and thorough doula training many years ago and I worked as a doula for several years. However, I stepped away from doula work while I was raising my children and I have been working doing some school teaching and yoga teaching. Birthwork has always felt like something that I want to return to, so I took a refresher course with Michelle. Michelle teaches about doula work in a way that reminds me of its importance. I was so impressed by her knowledge, her kindness and her intentionality of reviewing so many aspects of the doula profession from policies in local hospitals to what she brings in her birth bag to how to help a woman who’s experiencing back labor to marketing your own services. She taught in a way that made me feel like no question was too small. And she made me think about the importance of returning to doula work as a Spanish speaker in order to service Latina families. I’m considering taking her full doula training as a super refresher. Michelle holds within her lots of compassion for pregnant families and birthworkers along with a wealth of knowledge to share with doulas.

Attending Michelle’s Birth Doula Workshop was and INCREDIBLE experience! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to chose this in-person workshop over an online course. With materials that you get to keep after taking the course to help guide you through your journey, in becoming a professional Doula, I felt confident in the training I received to pursue my passion. Her dedication and commitment to her profession was more than just inspiring. As a mother myself, I found this experience incredibly healing! I would recommend this workshop to any and all individuals interested in either exploring the Doula profession, or just looking to gain priceless, hands on experience and knowledge about birth from a highly dedicated and experienced Midwife.

Michelle is an amazing teacher- I recently had the opportunity to participate in a 4 day workshop/training and I left feeling so inspired and prepared to attend births. Michelle is an absolute gift to the birthworker community!

Michelle is an incredible teacher. I just finished taking a complex, informative, and interactive 4 day workshop with her to become a birth doula, and I have been truly changed. There is no one I would recommend more when considering how to get started in birth work. Not only is her expertise undeniable, she is a truly special person as well. I found myself being genuinely sad when the workshop was completed. I cannot wait to get officially certified through her, and I know that she will always be cheering me on. As Michelle says, “Gentle Beginnings matter,” so do yourself a favor and allow her to teach you how to cultivate positive birth.

Michelle is the best decision we made in my pregnancy. True to her business name, she is warm and grounded every step of the way. This was our second baby and the work that she did with us, in preparation for expanding our family, was beautiful and something we remain so grateful for. She was an invaluable and powerful presence during labor, guiding me in what I can only describe as a transformative, dream birth. She is a wealth of knowledge and experience, always authentic, and gifted at what she does.

I had spoken to Michelle prior to my daughter's birth because I didn't know much about what a doula did. We had a wonderful talk and after I had given birth, Michelle came to my home and taught me so many things, especially with me being a first time mom. She taught me how to breastfeed while I had to lay completely flat on my back. She taught me how to pump, breastfeed, give my daughter a bath, and so much more. I am so thankful and grateful to have met and worked with such a kind, caring, knowledgeable individual.

Michelle has been living her calling as a doula midwife and trainer for 30 years now. She brings a stable warm presence, an open loving heart, wealth of knowledge and experience, and the embodiment of a wise woman walking her talk. I’m so grateful for the ways in which she has helped my wife and I have a birth experience that is in line with our integrity and authenticity. Michelle is skilled across many areas; interpersonal, family dynamics, biology, hospital birth, home birth, breast feeding, hypno birthing, and a fine singer. She’s a healer and a warrior y’all. If you want a master, call her.

I took my second birth doula training with Michelle. She is an amazing person and teacher. Compared to my other doula training, Michelle made it very personalized, and I learned so much that I didn't from my first training! I feel confident about taking on being a birth doula as my career. Thank you so much!!

Twice Michelle has been there for us through the whole pregnancy and birth process, providing us with indispensable advice, assistance, and compassion. She lent my partner confidence and strength in critical moments. Thank you, Michelle!

Michelle was one of the greatest decisions of my pregnancy! A highly gifted and committed birth worker, she is attentive, empathic, and empowering. Michelle cares deeply and shows up with profound presence. She is warm, boundaried, intelligent, and inclusive. Her knowledge and experience alongside her emotional intelligence and compassionate ethos is a force. I highly recommend Michelle!

Hiring Michelle as both my birth and postpartum doula was the best investment I made for the birth of my first child. Her resource binder was very helpful to educate ourselves on a variety of different options from prenatal care to delivery options. Michelle always made us feel supported and comfortable during our meetings and birthing time. It was great to have her guidance when making preparations. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable, but one of the midwives at the hospital reminded me that the BEST thing Michelle offers is 'her heart'. Absolutely true. I had a beautiful delivery at Franklin with her guiding both me and my husband every step of the way. I'm very thankful that my midwives recommended her to me, and if I'm fortunate enough to get pregnant a second time, I won't hesitate to hire her again. The only thing I would change -- I would book the postpartum services ahead of time. I thought maybe I wouldn't need help, but I absolutely did! She taught me so much in a few sessions including how to calm my child, get her to sleep, how to do tummy time, and more. She helped me get rest and prepped sitz baths too! It really eased the burden in the first few weeks! Thank you so much Michelle!

I took Michelle’s birth and doula training and she is so knowledgeable and intentional when she’s teaching. She’s fun and always makes sure you have understanding.

I attended Michelle’s Birth Doula Workshop in Sept 2024 and I had a fantastic experience! Michelle puts so much love and care into everything she does. 10/10 would recommend her workshops and services as a midwife and doula!

As a trainee i have had the best experiences and loved how well put the content of the doula training was!!💗 It is just alot of good aspects put together, and for me that is absolutely phenomenal✨

I knew from minute one of my doula training that I had come to the right place. Michelle‘s focus supports a client’s nervous system, and she carries deep reverence for birth and for the people who experience it. I was so excited to have an instructor share information on polyvagal theory! I really value Michelle’s honesty, experience, and skill as a storyteller/educator to help students engage with content. I felt seen by her as a teacher and respected her continued encouragement for us to take care of ourselves so we could care for our birth clients. That connection is part of what helped me feel ready to go out and support families after taking her course. Michelle engages with deep care with her community. Learning from her has empowered me to bring my own blend of research, heart connection and authenticity to my clients.

Michelle is an experienced and talented midwife and doula. I have, and would again, recommend her services as a birth companion and a teacher to anyone birthing, postpartum, or looking to become a doula. Warm Welcome Birth Services is an invaluable service in Western MA!

Michelle is an incredibly insightful, compassionate, and highly skilled doula and midwife. I recently took a draining from her and it was truly one of the best educational experiences I have ever had—from storytelling, to lectures, to practices, to our handouts, everything was immaculate. If you’re looking for a doula for yourself or to learn from someone, Michelle is your person.

I trained with Michelle in her birth doula workshop earlier this year and cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience! Not only is she a true expert in her field, she is also an exceptional instructor and mentor. The reverence she has for birth work is evident in the way that she engages with her clients and prepares her students to serve the birthing people in their communities.

My family worked with Michelle for the birth of my 2nd child and her involvement led to a much better birth experience than I had with my first. Michelle is absolutely incredible. In preparing for my birth, Michelle was so attentive and knew to ask the questions we did not. She's agile and adaptive to the unpredictable nature of childbirth, especially since my babe decided to come 4 weeks early! At the hospital, Michelle was super collaborative with Baystate's L&D team. She immediately set a calm tone and atmosphere for my labor experience. Throughout my labor, she never stopped advocating for me. Following my birth, Michelle also served as my postpartum doula. Having someone who knew the details of my birth made such a huge difference in structuring the kind of support my family and I needed during those incredible yet exhausting postpartum weeks. Bottom line -- I cannot recommend Michelle enough!

We had the pleasure of having Michelle at a doula for both of our births. The first was during the pandemic, and while she wasn’t allowed in the hospital, her guidance and advice beforehand was incredibly helpful, and she played a pivotal role on the day I went into labor, ensuring that we got to the hospital on time and supporting us literally up until we walked into the building. The second time around she was able to accompany us to the hospital and her presence was incredibly calming and supportive. Michelle had a way of anticipating and intuiting my needs before I could even vocalize them. She came incredibly prepared and had great relationships with other medical professionals at the birth. We can’t recommend working with Michelle enough, she is an exceptional doula.

Michelle is experienced, respectful, and inclusive. I always felt like I was in great hands!

I took both of Michelle’s doula trainings about two years ago and it was honestly the best decision I have ever made. I learned so much during her training and have been a practicing doula since. Michelle gives you all of the tools to learn not only how to be a doula but also start your doula practice. I whole heartedly recommend Michelle’s training and her doula services. I was lucky enough to shadow Michelle at a birth and it changed my whole perspective on doula care during birth. Getting to watch her in action was life changing! She to this day has been a great resource and mentor for me. With all that being said Michelle is one of the reasons I am starting my journey to becoming a midwife. Highly highly recommend Michelle for anything and everything you may be considering.

Taking Michelle’s labor and postpartum doula trainings was one of the best decisions of my life. Michelle brings years of experience to her curriculum and a clear passion for supporting families, especially through a justice & equity framework. Both trainings were fantastic and gave me the tools I needed to transition into a full-time doula career. If you’re thinking about training with Michelle, do it!

Michelle was present for both our girls' births. She brings steadiness, knowledge, and pure love to every birth space. I was so held while I climbed those birth mountains, and she sets this beautiful tone in the room of calm and joy. I'm so grateful to her.

Michelle was our doula for both of our children's births, and we cannot imagine either experience without her. Not only were we grateful to have use of her extensive knowledge and wisdom as a midwife and doula, but her huge heart and warm demeanor never failed to put both my husband and I at ease. As a mother, I know that TRUST (in your body, the birth process, your maternal instincts) is the greatest power at our disposal, and Michelle provided me with the validation, encouragement, and wisdom I needed to tap into this power at every stage of the process. Equally as importantly, Michelle helped my husband reach a place of trust and excitement about the birth process and early parenthood, and provided him with useful and helpful ways to be involved. I'll let him leave his own review, but I know that because of Michelle, his initiation into parenthood was significantly more meaningful and positive than many of his peers. To this day, we still light up whenever we're Michelle's presence. She was born to help women and their partners usher babies into this world in the most warm, gentle, and meaningful way possible. Employing her services is one of the best decisions we ever made as a couple, and you would wise to offer this incredible gift to yourself and your baby. I hope she'll stay in our lives forever.