Services
As a birth doula: I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw upon my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication with your healthcare provider to ensure you have the information needed to make informed decisions in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independently self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital/birth center.
Choosing a birth doula: I prefer to meet with you and your partner at least once before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. At that time, we can discuss fees. This initial meeting does not obligate you to use my services.
When you select me as your Birth doula: I will want to become familiar with your plans for labor, birth and postpartum. I will also want to know your own best methods of relaxation and how you and your partner foresee working together. We may also decide on other meetings and will certainly want to remain in touch by telephone.
As a birth doula: I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc. I am present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy. I won’t make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.
When you are in labor: I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need me, as I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide at this time whether I should come to your home or meet you at the hospital of your choice when you have actually been admitted. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.
After birth: I will remain with you for one to two hours, unless you are comfortable and your family is ready for private time together. I can also assist you with breastfeeding, if necessary. I am available for phone contact or e-mail to answer any questions you may have. I would like to meet one last time within one two weeks following your birth to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role as your doula.
If I, or the agreed upon backup birth doula, are unable to attend your birth per faults of mine or her own: If payment was made in full, half of the agreed upon service fee will be refunded. I, or the agreed upon backup doula, will make every effort to provide the services described above.
If I am not called or informed that you will not be using my birth services at least four weeks in advance: My service fee will be non-refundable due to me having made myself unavailable to other potential clients.
Birth doula services provided but not limited to:
- Free Initial consultation
- Will attend, hospital, birthing site or home birthing
- Assistance in preparing birth preference if requested
- 2 (two) in home prenatal visits
- 24/7 phone consultations/support before and after your birth
- Access to my lending library
- Continuous support for both mother/birth partner throughout labor/birth
- Candid photography of labor/birth if requested
- Initial breastfeeding help if requested
- Staying with mother/birth partner 1(one) – 2(two) hours after birth
- 1 (one) postnatal visit within 24hours after birth
- 1 (one) postnatal visit at your home 1(one)-2(two) weeks after birth
As a postpartum doula: I focus on the needs of the new mother, newborn, partner and siblings. I am there to nurture the mother by offering practical assistance as well as emotional support, enabling her to recover faster and feel more confident. I am a mentor who answers your questions and provides much needed assurance in a gentle, non-judgmental way, allowing you to develop your own unique parenting style.
Choosing a postpartum doula: The ways in which the woman, baby, partner and siblings make the transition to a new family unit have a long-term impact on their physical and emotional health. The postpartum doula fills a large gap in maternity care, and is able to facilitate a smooth transition into parenthood.
When you select me as your postpartum doula: I will focus on the needs of the family as a whole. I have extensive experience working with biological, special needs and adopting families. The addition of a child to any family results in profound life changes. I am there to provide support and education through this wonderful journey.
During labor or after birth: Please call when you and your partner know that you’re in labor or within 24 hours. This will allow me to rearrange my schedule to best suite your needs.
Postpartum doula services provided but not limited to:
- Free initial consultation
- Education on infant care including soothing and comfort skills
- Spend time with baby so family will have time to rest
- Foster family bonding
- Run errands and household organization
- Feeding support (breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding)
- Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear
- Phone contact as needed
- Day and overnight support