 Free Consultation This is a sit-down meeting to meet each other and
discuss my potential role in your upcoming birth. We will talk about
your desires for your birth and how my services would fit your needs.
You will have an opportunity to go over my contract, discuss my fees
and ask any questions you may have. If you decide to hire me, we will set up our first prenatal visit, where we will
sign the contract, and your deposit will reserve space on my calendar
for your birth. 2 Prenatal Appointments
Our prenatal visits will provide time for you to
become comfortable with me, and will include informational teaching and
resources. We will discuss your birth plans, hopes and feelings
surrounding your pregnancy and delivery. You will also have an
opportunity to learn about and experience the different physical
comfort measures available to cope with your labour. Phone and Email Support
Sometimes little questions come up or
emotions surface that you want to talk about. As an established client, you are welcome to contact me via phone or email and I will do
my best to give you answers or point you in the right direction, as
well as to simply listen. Continuous Labor Support I will be prepared to meet you at your home or at the hospital when you decide you need me to join you in labor. Depending on the type of support you desire, I will provide explanations of medical procedures, physical comfort measures, positioning suggestions during labor and birth, and emotional support and encouragement. I will stay with you after the birth for 1-2 hours to assist with breastfeeding if desired. I feel this time is best met with few interruptions and I will respect your new family's need for privacy and time for bonding. Postpartum Support I continue to be available by phone, text, or email to assist with breastfeeding/newborn questions or concerns that may arise in the early postpartum transition. I typically meet with you once more between 3-6 weeks postpartum to have an opportunity to go over any details of the birth you may wish to discuss as you reflect upon your experience. Fee Birth doula services are $800. Payment options and plans are available to work with your family's needs. | Frequently Asked Questions "I'm taking childbirth classes - do I still need a doula? Childbirth classes are a great way to get an overview of labour and birth. However, the information they provide cannot be tailored to your unique experience. A doula acts as a personal guide on your journey through unfamiliar territory, and helps you make use of that knowledge. "Won't a nurse be able to help me during my labor?" Nurses are a valuable asset during the birth of your child. But the number of patients they have to care for and their shift changes prevent them from being able to be available on a constant basis. A doula is a familiar face that stays by your side for the entire labour and is there specifically to support your needs and facilitate a positive birth experience.  "Does a Doula Replace the Father?" Impossible! A labour doula can actually help
facilitate a father's involvement in this special time. With doula
support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather
than pull away in times of stress. At times, a father may not
understand a woman's instinctive behavior during childbirth and may
react anxiously to what a doula knows to be the normal process of
birth. The doula can skillfully help the mother to cope with labour
pain in her unique way, while taking some of the pressure off of the
partner to do the "right" thing. The father's presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and irreplaceable. The love he shares with the mother and his child and his need to nurture and protect his family are things that only he can provide as an emotional anchor and support. "What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?" A doula provides physical/emotional comfort measures and positioning suggestions during labour, explanations of medical procedures, and continuous support, much like a midwife may do. However, a midwife is a primary caregiver who, like a doctor or nurse, provides clinical care, such as monitoring the baby's heart rate and checking cervical dilation. Doulas do not provide clinical care. Doulas and midwives generally have the same perspective towards birth, and work very well together in home or hospital setting. |
Birth Services |