Trained Doula

Labor of Love
260-494-0623
laboroflovephotography@gmail.com
laborofloveindiana.com
facebook.com/laborofloveindiana

Michelle Gresham is a trained birth doula (DONA) and professional birth photographer. She resides in Fort Wayne, IN and has been married to her husband, Phillip, since 2011. Together, Phillip and Michelle have been blessed with six children - Dallas (2006), Scarlett (2012), Henry (2014), Ruby (2016), Miriam (2017), and Theodore (2021). Michelle is passionate about, and actively involved in, the human rights movement of genital integrity and bodily autonomy. She believes that all human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made, purposely designed by our Creator. Michelle is an advocate for medical freedom and believes families should be able to make evidence based decisions with informed consent - especially as it pertains to pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Michelle’s journey into birth work began in the summer of 2014, as she became Northeast Indiana’s first and only dedicated birth photographer. While many of Fort Wayne’s leading photographers also offer birth photography services, Michelle maintains a steadfast devotion to documenting the stories of birthing women and their families, both through imagery and film.

After stepping away from many births and being thanked by women and their partners for “unofficially” filling the role of doula, Michelle completed a DONA birth training course in March of 2019. She comfortably serves families in all birth spaces and environments, whether that be at home, birth center, or hospital. She has experience with medically-required inductions, VBACs, and vaginal delivery of multiples.

While many families greatly desire a doula AND birth photographer, some of them feel financially burdened by the costs associated with these two separate - but equally important - services. In recognition of that, Michelle believes that birthing families will now have access to the best of both worlds, if they so choose.

Having birthed five children, Michelle believes her own unique, personal experiences with pregnancy, labor, and birth only help to better serve her clients. Not one of her babies’ birth stories are the same, and this gives Michelle a greater appreciation for how diverse the labor and birth experience can be for any one woman. Even for a seasoned mother, a doula is an important and essential part of a birthing woman’s support team.

Michelle’s Christian faith is the foundation of who she is, and she believes birth is a sacred, miraculous event designed by God. She has been honored to serve birthing families from all walks of life and looks forward to caring for future families with love, support, and compassion.

Michelle’s services include:

  • A complimentary meet & greet, where she will treat you to coffee or tea, as you discuss your birth plans and desires

  • Flexible payment plans

  • 10% off for families who are under the care of Michelle’s “preferred providers”

  • 1-2 prenatal visits, to talk about the goals you have for your birth

  • Access to list of local resources

  • Assistance in creating a birth plan that is tailored to your needs (if desired)

  • 24/7 support, advice, and encouragement through pregnancy (by phone, text, or email)

  • Emotional and physical support beginning at the onset of active labor

  • Immediate postpartum support

  • One in-home postpartum visit, to talk about your birth and/or help with simple household tasks

  • Professional birth photography (additional fee)