Doula Services

What I bring to your birth

I bring my conviction that a woman has the strength to carry herself through whatever unfolds in her journey of labor and birth. I am a witness to this amazing strength of the mother. I am also a gentle guide, providing her with the tools and resources to help her access her own inner power.

When a woman trusts her birth team and is held well by them, she is able to go deeper into the work that she needs to do to birth her baby. I bring my knowledge and experience in birth to offer continuous emotional encouragement, physical comfort and a deep supportive presence for a woman and her family as she experiences labor, the birth of her baby, and the transition to parenthood.

I equally support the birth partner to ensure that he remains as connected to the mother and birth process as he desires. In no way do I replace the partner. My role is to also support the partner by offering a reassuring presence to him that birth is a normal process and by providing suggestions as to how he may best support his partner. As a result, he is able to more fully participate and be present in the birthing process.

I also provide assistance to help the parents make informed decisions and communicate positively with healthcare providers. My primary intention is to whole-heartedly support a mother in whatever decision she makes concerning how she births.

What I offer

Initial Interview

It is important for you and your partner to feel completely comfortable with your doula. Selecting who will be at your birth as your support team is a deeply personal and intuitive matter. Our first meeting is free of charge and is simply an opportunity for us to get acquainted. I am interested in your feelings about your upcoming birth: your hopes, fears, questions and concerns. We will also discuss in what ways a doula can be most helpful to you. It is not expected that you make your decision to hire me at this interview. I encourage you to sit with the meeting and ask yourself if the relationship feels right. You’ll know one way or another.

Prenatal Visits

If you do decide that I am the perfect doula for your family, we will schedule one or two prenatal visits (depending on what is needed). At these visits, we will deepen our knowing of one another and discuss in detail your thoughts and feelings about the upcoming birth. We will explore how you might deal with the intensity of labor. We will talk about the different ways to cope and assess which ways may possibly be helpful to you. We will discuss the role of your partner and explore ways that he can best offer you support. If you are having a hospital birth, we will also discuss hospital protocol and your wishes regarding medical procedures. We will discuss how to best communicate these wishes to your healthcare provider, either through writing or verbally. There are many directions the prenatal visits can go, depending on the needs of you and your partner. I am also available to offer support or answer questions by phone or e-mail as needed.

On Call Support

I will be on call for you 24 hours a day beginning two weeks before your estimated due date up until labor begins.

Labor Support

I will show up to be with you in labor whenever I am needed. I carry a large “toolbox” of ways that I am able to offer support. Some of these include: guiding your breathing, offering visualizations, suggesting position changes, providing aromatherapy, encouraging hydrotherapy, giving touch or massage, etc. I am also present for the partner, offering suggestions, reassurance and support. Throughout the birth process, I offer emotional encouragement and a deep confidence in your ability to give birth. I will also help you navigate through the medical decisions you might be faced with making, helping you ask questions which provide you with all the information you need to make decisions that you feel are in the best interest of you and/or your baby.

Postpartum Support

I will stay with you for one to two hours after your child is born, until you are comfortable and ready for quiet time together. I am available to help with initial breastfeeding. Should any questions or concerns arise before our postpartum meeting, I am available to offer support on the phone.

Two postpartum visits are included in my service: one within 48 hours, if the need arises, and one visit when your milk has come in, between three to five days. At this visit I can offer practical support such as: offering breastfeeding advice, suggesting postpartum comfort measures, helping with newborn care, pitching in with light housekeeping work, and/or making referrals to community resources. I also continue to offer emotional support as you adjust to your new baby and role as mother. Most mothers have a deep need to process their birth story, to find meaning and understanding, and to integrate this experience into their lives. Our visit may begin this process for you, allowing you the opportunity to talk about the birth experience, to be deeply seen and heard.

Rates for Doula Services

• Private or Group Series of Childbirth Preparation Class 
• 24/7 on-call support
• Labor Support
• 1 Postpartum Visit
• 1 Breastfeeding Consultation