We take pride in helping families have beautiful, positive experiences. Please take a moment and read what some of our satisfied clients have said.
Marisa was our Bradley Method Instructor and also served as our doula during our birth. We had twin girls on July 28, 2007. I was 38 1/2 weeks when I went into labor. I was able to have the birth experience I wanted, a pain-medication-free birth, thanks to Marisa's teachings and assistance! The Bradley Method helped my husband and I prepare our minds and helped me prepare my body for the coming of our babies. The "place" you have to be in at the time of labor is relaxed, serene, and confident. Marisa's training assured that we were there when the time came! We worked so wonderfully as a husband-wife team!
Marisa's assistance to us as a doula was invaluable! Knowing the Bradley Method thoroughly, she did not take over my husband's position as coach, but yet was able to remind my husband and me of Bradley Method principles to help us through the tough times and decisions. She was there to support my needs as a woman who has experienced labor and I felt comforted by her constant presence. During the pushing phase, my husband had to help hold my legs and it was Marisa who assured I stayed hydrated! She fit perfectly in the spaces left open where my husband couldn't do everything all at once, had helpful suggestions for positions and relaxation techniques, and always had the right words to assist us! We definitely would not have had our dream birth if it wasn't for Marisa!
- Laura Woinoski, Danby NY
Taking the Bradley Method class with Marisa was the best decision we could have ever made. We both knew that we wanted to give our son the best possible advantage in life by not exposing him to unneeded drugs and procedures. We found Marisa through the Bradley website, and gave her a call at once. Going into it, we both knew very little about childbirth. Marisa was very compassionate and well informed. Attending class was fun and conditioned us for what was going to be the most phenomenal experience of our lives. Marisa prepared us for everything, including what to do when something unexpected happens. And something unexpected did happen! Our son decided that he wanted to be a breech. Thank god, our doctor was willing to proceed with our desire to give birth naturally, as I didn't want a c-section. Thanks to Marisa's teaching, we were able to overcome our challenge with relative ease in the face of adversity. It was hard work, but in the end we gave birth to our perfect baby boy, NATURALLY. Marisa was there for the birth, not only as a teacher, but as an active participant and a friend. We chose to use the Alternate Classic Position for the pushing phase, and Marisa was there right beside us giving us all the support we needed. She helped make it the wonderful experience that it was. Without the Bradley Method Classes I don't think I/we would have been prepared enough to have a breech birth naturally. In the end it made us a stronger, closer family with a bond no one could ever break."
-Katrina Benac, Waterford NY
My husband and I had heard of the Bradley Method® of natural childbirth from relatives and friends and decided to look into it. We found Marisa through the Bradley Website and started taking classes, not really knowing much about the birthing process. The information that we learned from Marisa was invaluable and I couldn't imagine going through childbirth without the knowledge that we gained from taking Bradley classes. We learned about the birthing process, and many useful techniques for laboring without using drugs, and it's a good thing that we did! My daughter was in fetal distress when I went into labor, so we had to go into the hospital immediately for fetal monitoring and I did not get to labor the first stage at home. As a result, my labor wasn't advancing quickly enough and there was talk about having to induce me if I didn't make some progress. The Bradley method taught my husband and I natural stimulation and relaxation methods that sped up my labor and we were able have the natural birth that we desired. It turned out that my daughter had the cord wrapped around her neck and my body needed the extra time to labor safely. If we did not take Bradley classes, we would have been given pitocin and the baby may have been harmed as a result of the labor progressing too quickly. Marisa was there for us during our labor and provided us with the guidance and support we needed to have a happy Birth-day!"
Without a doubt Bradley saved my life. I was introduced to the method by an Aunt who used it many times and loved it. After reading some of the books detailing the method I decided to take Marisa's class, and wow! The class offered even MORE knowledge!
I had an atypical birthing experience complicated by many episodes of hemorrhaging. However, Bradley teaches you how to prepare your body in such a healthy way...I was able to have a completely un-medicated delivery and very healthy baby! My preparation for a natural delivery, in a typical situation helped me to know what wasn't typical and also helped me explore my options for less medical intervention much more safely!
Birthing for Joy is a great way to put it...you get out what you put in through life, and by putting in the time, energy and love into your relationship with your baby from conception you will get a pleasant experience even through trying times!
Marisa was the first doula that I spoke to once I decided that I wanted a natural birth. After our conversation, I didn't feel the need to speak to any other doula once I spoke to Marisa. I could tell that she was going to be a great resource for my husband and I. Marisa was such a support helping me prepare and understand what I would be going through once I went in to labor. She showed us different exercises and techniques that we could utilize to achieve a natural birth. She also was a wealth of knowledge of what we could expect at the hospital and helped us prepare a detailed and specific birth plan.
We called Marisa right after my water broke and she quickly met us at the hospital. She came armed and ready with supplies - lots of food (which was invaluable for my really long 33 hour labor), lotions, and music. She was right there, along with my husband with each contraction. She eased my fears and made gentle suggestions to my husband so he could help me. Even though she was 3 weeks away from giving birth herself, Marisa was there for every moment of my labor. She was encouraging and incredibly helpful. When I hit the hardest point and didn't think I could go through with my plan for a natural birth, she helped me stay the course. Marisa was a huge source of comfort to me and my husband. We now consider her a friend and could not imagine having our daughter without her help.