About Melanie

When I started on my amazing birth journey, I just knew I wanted to have a natural birth. My mother had two unmedicated births both with midwives, one was a hospital birth and the other was a home birth. Growing up hearing her share her birth stories and beliefs about how birth is a natural physiological process, definitely had an impact on me. Knowing that my mom did it and that I had her support and guidance, made me believe that I could do it too if I wanted.

At the beginning of my pregnancy, my husband and I had to relocate to a very small town in Southwest Texas for his job. All the while, I was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Being in a new town with limitied resources and care provider options while enduring severe nausea and vomitting all day everyday was an incredibly challenging time. I tried seeking care from a few care providers, but my experience with them left much to be desired. Then I found the San Antonio Birth Center. Even though it was quite a drive, it was worth it. The midwives were so supportive and offered amazing guidance in helping me regain my health and strength back.  

We also took a childbirth class and our childbirth educator was training to be a doula, so she ended up being our doula. She was so instrumental in helping us achieve the natural birth I desired. Our son's birth was a natural water birth that was such an empowering moment in my life that I will always cherish.

Going through that whole experience and overcoming so many struggles during my birth journey lit a passion within me. I knew I wanted to be a childbirth educator and be a source of support for others just like my midwives and doula were for me.

I became a Birth Boot Camp Childbirth Educator in 2015. I believe that birth is one of the most important and life-changing moments of a person’s life. Through childbirth education, I’ve supported so many expecting families over the years feel empowered, supported, and educated to have amazing pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

Taking that passion to help others, I found the calling of massage therapy and completed my 500-hour massage therapy training at the Lauterstein-Conway Massage School in Austin, Tx. Since then, I have continued to hone my massage skills, adding Lomilomi ‘Hawaiian Temple’ Bodywork and Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage to my massage modalities. You will find that my massage style is gentle, relaxing, and at an intuitive depth. I don’t believe in ‘no pain, no gain’ and use a wide variety of techniques to tailor your massage sessions to your specific needs.

I would be honored to support you in your wellness and birth journey! I offer in-person, virtual, and online Birth Boot Camp childbirth classes in Austin, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, Steiner Ranch, Cedar Park, and many more surrounding communities. For massage therapy services, I provide sessions at Bump and Beyond Chiropractic and Wellness, as well as, at-home massage services.

Certifications and Training:

• Undergraduate Degree: University of North Texas

• Lauterstein-Conway Massage School: 500-hour Therapeutic Massage Program

• Licensed Massage Therapist: License #138498

• Certified Childbirth Educator: Birth Boot Camp

• Member of the American Massage Therapy Association

• Lomilomi 'Hawaiian Temple' Bodywork: 40 CE Hours

• Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist: Vodder Technique: 45 CE Hours

• Additional Continuing Education: 8 CE Hours

Not ready to sign up just yet? No worries!

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@GALLOWAYMASSAGEANDBIRTH