San Francisco Bay Area
Postpartum and Newborn Care

Melissa Koning, BSN, CPPD, CLEC

I learned what a postpartum doula is in 2006. Not so many people knew about doulas back then, so I was amazed that helping brand new parents was an actual job I could do. I wasted no time in enrolling in a DONA postpartum doula certification program and by 2007 I was supporting families. I got pretty lucky because this actually is the best job in the world! Over the years I've gotten to know hundreds of moms, dads, and newborn babies and I'm still in awe every day. Witnessing new families is witnessing the very best of humanity and I am so very grateful to be welcomed in. 

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​In the years following those early days, my depth and breadth of knowledge in this field has increased. As a certified lactation counselor I've honed my skills in infant feeding support. As a mom, I've developed a deeper level of empathy for new parents (and a real understanding of what it means to be tired!) As a nursing school graduate, I've gained clinical knowledge to support the care and education I am able to provide. And as a veteran doula I've learned that parenting is sacred, but not so sacred we can't have a good laugh!