SERVICES

WHAT IS A DOULA?

“a doula is like having your best friend’s support, without the baggage”

The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A BIRTH DOULA:

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level

BENEFITS OF DOULA:

  • 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
  • 41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
  • 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
  • 33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience
  • Reduces length of labor
  • 6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
    • Less anxious and depressed
    • Had more confidence with baby
    • More satisfied w/ partner
    • More likely to be breastfeeding

(taken directly from www.dona.org)


DOULA SERVICES

I prefer to meet with you and your partner 2-3 times before labor. The first is a no charge visit. The purpose of this first visit is to get to know you, and for you to get to know me, and to see if we are a good fit. I would like to talk about what your desires are for birth, and your priorities to make your birth journey the most positive, satisfying experience possible. This can be at your home, or a neutral place. If we choose to work together I then offer two pre-natal appointments in your home. These consist of going over your birth plan, your goals, your ideas, and any questions you may have for me regarding birth, your plan, and my support. I feel it is very important to discuss labor support options, the ideas of pain management, and what you may expect during your labor, or what you want to avoid. I also think it is very important to discuss how you and your partner react to stressful situations. At your second pre-natal visit, you will also be able to meet my back-up doula if you so choose, who will be available in emergency situations, should there be an unforseen conflict.

Outside of our visits, I will also be available by phone or email 24 hours a day if you just need to talk or have questions about birth, your pregnancy, or my services as your doula. I have unlimited resources, that will be available to you at any time during your pregnancy. I will then be there for your entire labor, no matter how short or how long. I have attended 4 hour labor and births, and 65 hour labor and births.  I offer full labor support. I would encourage weekly phone calls during the last 2-3 weeks of your pregnancy, perhaps after your weekly pre-natal visits.

After the birth of your baby, I will come to your house for 2 postpartum visits (or more if you desire). These will be to see how you are doing, review your birth, of course admire your new little one, and bring to you details of your little ones birth.

My commitment to you when you chose me as your doula is that I will be available to you two weeks before, and two weeks after your due date. We all know that babies don’t necessarily come when we expect them to; they come when they are ready. If you are on my calendar, I will be there for your birth. I serve all local hospitals, birth centers, and home births.

The fee for my services is $1200.00.  Half ($600.00) is due at the signing of my contract, and the other $600 is due at the first post partum meeting, generally 24-48 hours after arriving home.

Additional postpartum fees: (unless otherwise arranged) are $20 per hour, with a minimum of two hours.  (this is outside of the pre-arranged two post-partum visits.)

If you are a returning family, I offer $200 off my regular fees.

***I do offer low cost/free doula services to teen mothers, single mothers, and mothers who could not regularly afford a doula.  If you are able to pay above and beyond my fees, just know that the additional amount allows me to provide these low cost/free services.  The money goes into a “scholarship” type fund and will cover basic needs such as transportation, materials, and other expenses. ***

In addition to my birth doula services, I also offer private Childbirth classes in your home.

Sometimes plans change, or timing is off and it is difficult to find time in your busy schedules to commit to a 6-week course.  Maybe a weekend crash- course birth class is just not an option for you.  I do offer private childbirth education classes that will help you prepare for labor and birth in the comfort of your own home and at the convenience of your own schedule. My Classes are designed to provide you with what you need as unique and individual expectant parents. The fee for private classes is $250.  Class meeting times are flexible and usually held during weekends or evenings. Typically, we meet 2-3 times for about 2.5 hours, but the number of meetings and total hours are flexible.  These classes will be in the comfort of your own home. Please contact me directly to find out about my availability for private classes.