Hi, Everyone!  Thank you for visiting my website!  My name is Melissa Holmes, and I have been studying childbirth and mothering for the past five years.  My passion for birth has led me around the world in search of some way bringing my passion into my every day life.  I have gone to university in Scotland and later found my soul-mate in Ireland.  Still, I could not find my calling, yet my passion for birth continued to grow.  Finally, after my husband and I moved back to Florida, a friend's recommendation led me down the path of Childbirth Education, which in turn led me to
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®.  After attending BIRTHING FROM WITHIN's Introductory Workshop at The Farm in Tennessee, I felt I could finally breathe again.  I had found my calling.  I was home.

Later, I was introduced to DONA International, the oldest and most well-known doula certification organization in the world.  Through DONA, I have been trained as a Birth Doula to provide support and education to pregnant, laboring, and birthing mothers, and as a Postpartum Doula to offer practical assistance, parenting education, and emotional support to new mothers and their babies.

In August 2009, I will begin the next great adventure in my life by attending the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery to become a Licensed Midwife in the state of Florida and a Certified Professional Midwife through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).

I am currently living and working in Central Florida (Lake and Sumter Counties), and live with my Irish husband: Aidan, my Lhasa Apso: Panda, and my two crazy cats: George and (polydactyl, bottle-raised) Bigfoot.  If I'm not studying childbirth or herbalism, I can be found singing (another true love), gardening, practicing yoga, knitting, and/or taking care of my animal babies (and my husband).

I look forward to meeting you, and congratulations on this amazing time in your life!  Baby blessings to you and yours!

If you have any questions or comments regarding BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® Childbirth Preparation classes or my birth and postpartum doula services, please feel free to contact me at 407-401-8944 (please leave a message--I return all phone calls) or send an email to:

Thank you and have a beautiful day! ♥