Meet Melissa Espey-Mueller | Certified Doula, Gynecologic Teaching Associate & Director of Prenatal Education

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Espey-Mueller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Recently I read “Wolfpack” by Abby Wombach and it reminded me of the power of finding your people, or tribe. It reminded me of how fortunate I am to get to do what I love with people I love. The foundation of the business I have structured & built is strong because of the women within its walls and all the people who have and do support our team on a daily basis.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
North Dallas Doula Associates was born in 1999 and over the last 21 years has become the biggest and baddest (the good kind of bad) doula practice in DFW! For the last 2 decades we have provided education, emotional and physical support to so many incredible families in DFW. We have served over 5000 families together, as a team. I am always most excited to share my business success with the tribe of doulas who join forces with me on a daily basis to improve the birth and postpartum outcomes of the families that invite us to join their journey.

As the owner of North Dallas Doula Associates & the Director of Prenatal Education at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas; I have the opportunity, or should I say, the honor and the privilege of witnessing women discover their power during pregnancy and childbirth. Evidence based prenatal education leads to informed choices during pregnancy and birth and can lead to less intervention and healthier outcomes for both mother and baby. When women know better they will expect better. When her knowledge is not fear based and she feels supported by her care team, hires a doula, and feels prepared to own her birth story, the trajectory will change for generations to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I could eat at Malai Kitchen every day of the week…so we would definitely have some thai tacos or drunken noodles there. Anyone who I call a friend has eaten there at least once with me! Then we would grab some maple donuts from Urban donuts because they have some crazy, amazing glazed maple donuts! We would absolutely take a stroll through (our hood) deep ellum and do some shopping at Jade and Clover & Flea Style. Then we would, of course, hydrate with an apricot green tea from our neighbors at Murray St Coffee.  At least one happy hour would have to happen at Hudson House in Lakewood because they have half price oysters and martinis…YUM! And I can’t forget LOVE, GLOW, SPA in Highland Park for some quick botox and IV therapy! A trip to see Mark Galvan at Elm Street tattoo would be a must because he is the OG!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Autumn Gore, DC at Cafe of Life Chiropractic. I could not and will never do life without her. When I think about my personal ‘wolfpack’, I think of her and how we basically got started together; her hustling to build her business, me hustling to build mine. She offers guidance, reassurance, balance and encouragement that is beyond measure and the care and wisdom she provides to her clients is unsurpassed, especially when it comes to prenatal chiropractic care. Many seek her out to have their body aligned but anyone who she has touched, knows they leave her space feeling that their heart and soul was, indeed, what she moved.

She is our #1 referral to clients and A MUST to have on your birth team. I know if families connect with her during their pregnancies they will have faster, easier births and a more supported experience.

Website: www.northdallasdoulas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northdallasdoulas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthDallasDoulaAssociates

Image Credits
Dani Adams Barry Photography