What people are saying

  • "Having a mom who’s already been through this journey check in with me has been such a comfort. Her advice, encouragement, and knowing someone understands what I’m feeling has made this postpartum experience feel a lot less overwhelming. I’m thankful to oPPal for helping make that connection. "

    — Kaitlyn, Little oPPal

  • “As a pediatrician and mom who experienced postpartum depression, I wholeheartedly believe that oPPal will fill a very big void in the support a mom receives during the peripartum period. It truly takes a village, and oPPal emodies that spirit”

    — Carly I. Alexander, MD - Pediatrics

  • "Becoming a mother is beautiful—but it’s also overwhelming, emotional, and often isolating. That’s why this postpartum support network is such a gift. What Melanie has created, based off her own very personal experiences, isn’t just a business—it’s a community. She connects experienced moms with new mothers who need someone to say, “You’re not alone.” And that changes everything."

    — Megan, Little oPPal

  • "The postpartum period is a particularly vulnerable time for mental health, making it crucial to offer additional support services that are currently lacking within the healthcare system. Providing these services is essential not only for enhancing mental well-being but also for advancing overall women's health."

    — Einav Nachman, MD - Ob/Gyn

  • "As a postpartum doula and mom of three I could not be more excited or inspired by the birth of Oppal. The best advice I can give to a new mama is to find your moms in this world. The opportunity to connect to that support, wisdom and community via this platform is an absolute game-changer for the postpartum period."

    — Connie Staton, DONA-certified postpartum doula in Los Angeles

  • "I was so happy to be one of the first Big oPPals! I learned so much during my postpartum experience and was thrilled to have a low barrier to entry way to pay it forward to another mom. This is such an easy way to good, and an impactful way to help a new mom navigate what can often be a stressful and isolating time. Sign me up to do it again and again!"

    — Anonymous Big oPPal

  • “Peer support has been shown to be beneficial for new parents’ mental health, and providing community mentorship, as oPPal aims to do, can be a wonderful resource for families during the postpartum period."

    Jacob E. Gindi, MD - Pediatrics

  • "Mine has been amazing! She remembers important dates coming up and visitors that I have. And I love chatting with her! She’s also been giving very helpful tips lately which I appreciate! I honestly feel so much more confident and comfortable and feel like I could be a big oPPal to a new mom soon!! Love that feeling"

    - Rachel, Little oPPal

  • "I feel honored to be a part of this. I’ve been so frustrated with the lack of support for new moms so this work feels important, even if it helps just one person."

    Meg, Big oPPal

  • "Being a Big oPPal for another new mom was so rewarding. It meant the world to me to be part of her village and hopefully help her in her transition to motherhood, the hardest and most wonderful job in the world. Postpartum is one of the wildest experiences a woman can go through, and you have to take care of another human while going through it. Having a Big oPPal can help you navigate it all, and I’m so grateful I could be there for my Little oPPal."

    — Jasmine K., North Dakota

  • "Becoming a big oPPal extends far beyond one relationship--It teaches you how to better show up for all new parents in your life. From this experience, I have felt more connected to other moms and it's given me a confidence to support others that I didn't know I had."

    Katie Wolf, Los Angeles

  • "There's nothing like hearing from a mom that "things are getting better" or "that thing you suggested made a difference!" - it makes me feel like my experiences are worth something to the world and not just hard with no purpose. Because, being a mom is hard and being postpartum is hard, but it's so much easier with support and validation - I hope that's what oPPal can offer new moms!"

    Kathryn O, Denver, CO.