Marissa Catania

Birth Doula
Hartford, Connecticut
5.0
About me

I am a DONA certified doula working throughout Connecticut to support parents on their prenatal, birth, and postpartum journeys. I have experience with multiples, home births, water births, and hospital births. I have worked with those needing strong a human rights advocate and can assist you in gathering the information you need to make informed decisions. I am able to physically support you through birth by utilizing Spinning Babies techniques, as well as information from Birth Monopoly to help inform you of your birthing rights. I also have a Master's Degree in Special Education, and have been a special education teacher for 5 years. Working with children and families has always been my niche, and being a Doula is the best of both worlds. I am here to encourage, love, and empower you as you embark on this life-changing experience. Every birthing person deserves to be supported through their pregnancy and postpartum period. Please don't hesitate to reach out for more information!

Education

BA (2018)

M.Ed (2019)

M.Ed (2024)

Certification and training

DONA (2022)

Credentials
CD (DONA)
Specialties
Birth Doula Acupressure During Labor Aromatherapy Birth Assistant Birth Support Breastfeeding Support Childbirth Education Evidence-Based Care Home Birth Hypnobirthing Method Labor Doula Multiples Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Postpartum Care Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Water birth
Languages

English

Service introduction

Birth doula support includes; a free 30-minute consultation via Zoom to ensure we are a match, 1 or 2 prenatal visits (client choice), support through email, text, or phone call from the minute you book me until 6 weeks postpartum, in person birth support, and 1 postpartum visit within the first 2 weeks after birth.

Packages
Birth Doula
-Free 30 minute consultation -1 or 2 prenatal visits -Support by phone through pregnancy -Labor and birth support -1 postpartum visit
$1,200.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Average
5.0
# of Reviews
4
5.0

Marissa helped us get ready for the arrival of our first baby. We had two meetings before our girl arrived a little earlier then expected. The first meeting was getting to know each other and Marissa gave us tons informative videos we were able to watch and a few social media accounts to follow with very helpful exercises, stretches, and general partner bonding. Marissa encouraged me through the ending of my pregnancy to stay active and hydrated also to practice breath work whenever I had a moment! Marissa was always quick to respond to me or my husband's text messages or calls Even when we had the silliest of questions! She recommended a wonderful book for my husband so that he was as supportive as possible in the delivery room. Our second meeting we went over some of the best positions to be in during labor and my Birth plan. The day that I was induced, Marissa was Incredibly supportive via text message until she was able to get to the hospital. She made sure that we were asking the right questions to our providers to make sure that we were getting all the info we needed to make informed decisions. During labor Marissa was very Helpful in reminding me to breathe and counting for me during contractions. She captured some of the most beautiful photos for my husband and I during this time as well! My birth felt easier because of the suggestions Marissa gave us and the reminds in option I had in each stage of labor and birth!

- Falishia P.

5.0

Marissa helped us throughout the entire pregnancy. She was always helpful when we had questions, concerns or worries. I appreciated her willingness to talk through things as they came up. She came to our house and helped my husband and I with our questions and generally helped us prepare mentally and gave us suggestions for physical preparations as well. I also appreciated her support post partum as well, which I didn't realize was going to be as difficult as it was. It was helpful to have a voice of reason, and experience through it. We highly recommend Marissa!

- Anastasia L.

5.0

I knew I wanted to hire a doula before I even got pregnant with my daughter. A few months before we found out we were expecting, a friend had posted about her doula and how amazing she was which led me to Marissa. I reached out to Marissa very early on in pregnancy and she has literally been there for our family since. She was always ready with advise when I had questions about anything pregnancy or birth related, she supported my partner and I through labor and delivery (and was the only reason I was confident enough to do it without an epidural), and she even got the very first pictures of my daughter as soon as she was born ❀ Marissa continues to reach out and support us postpartum and has truly been amazing throughout this journey. She has helped us start our little family in the most positive way πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ If you're thinking of hiring a doula, I highly recommend reaching out to Marissa! πŸ‘ΆπŸ»

- Erin M.

5.0

We hired Marissa as our doula to guide us through the birth of our first child. We were so happy with our decision and experience as Marissa has been a wonderful advocate, resource, and support during our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and throughout postpartum. We feel strongly that having her by our side for delivery helped make the experience so much more positive and smooth. Marissa was extremely professional, knowledgeable, comforting, compassionate, and helpful during the very overwhelming process of child birth. Throughout pregnancy she provided answers to our many questions. Throughout postpartum she has checked in on us and the baby regularly continuing to answer our questions and provide us with resources and her support. We couldn't have imagined going through this without her by our side and highly recommend her services for all expectant parents!Β 

- Jillian B.

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