Doula Spotlight: Melanie Di Tommaso

Meet Melanie, one of our core team members, a total legend, and an absolute joy to have in the Nurturing Birth family.

Melanie has been a doula for many years and brings a beautiful blend of honesty, heart, humour, and proper wisdom to everything she does. If you’ve ever had the privilege of being mentored by her, you’ll know what I mean - she tells it like it is, with love, clarity, and a wicked sense of humour that has us all howling on a regular basis.

How long have you been a doula?

15 years

Where are you based?

The Cotswolds

What inspired you to train?

Perfect job for me once I knew it existed.

What has been your proudest moment as a doula so far?

Too many to separate.

What has been the most rewarding part of building your doula business?  

Repeat clients. Shared care.

How has being a doula impacted your life? (personally, professionally, or both)

Being on call can be very restrictive.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since becoming a doula? 

Clients don’t always hear what you say, the way you say it. Clients make pre birth decisions that they then completely disregard in labour, and that’s ok.

Which skills or knowledge from the Nurturing Birth course have helped you the most in your work?  

Being and not doing. Less is more. You are enough. Listening is invaluable. You don’t need to offer loads of ‘extras’!

What challenges have you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?  

Clients being treated poorly by midwives. I asked the midwives to help me understand their behaviour.

What do you enjoy most about your doula work?

Seeing a couple become a family and the look of wonder as they stare at their newborn.

What do you think sets you apart as a doula? 

I keep things as simple and clear as possible at all times.

What values guide the way you work with your clients?   

It is their journey, not mine.

Have you formed friendships or connections with other birth-workers local to you?

Yes

What has surprised you most about being a doula?  

What’s your favourite part of a typical day as a doula? 

If you could go back to the start of your doula journey, what advice would you give yourself?  

How do you see your doula work evolving in the future?  

More shared care. More post-natal work.

What's your favourite self-care treat?

Reading by the fire. A large glass of Chablis.

Your doula-bag must have

Snacks for me. Flannel for them.

Your favourite affirmation or mantra

You are enough.