Birth Doula Services

Doulas are for mommas AND papas! Doulas can do so pretty cool stuff and at the top of the list is facilitating bonding between the birthing mother and her partner. When you choose birth doula services, you allow the mom and the birth partner to really enjoy the birth. 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 family before, during and just after birth. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. 

Our doula services include:  (1) a no obligation first visit in my office (or somehwere in between) to get acquainted and to answer your questions about my services, (2) At least 1-2 prenatal meetings (usually 2) to discuss any concerns and go over your birth plans (depending on time), and (3) a comprehensive birth rehearsal, birth preferences meeting in your home 2 – 4 weeks prior to baby’s guess date. At the birth rehearsal meeting, we discuss your birth plan and my role as your doula, and we practice your birthing techniques as if this were THE day. On your baby’s birthday, I will assist you and your birth partner throughout birthing. First I will provide phone support and then once you have gone ‘active’ birthing, whether that is at your home or in a hospital, I will provide continuous physical and emotional support. I provide support and answer your questions and address any concerns, to give you the information you need to help you make informed decisions. I will stay with you for about 2 hours after your baby is born, to assist you with initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth and to take those precious first family photos.
 
 
Then within two week’s of baby’s birth, we meet with you for (4) a postpartum visit in your home, to discuss newborn care, mom’s recovery and to answer your questions about breastfeeding. At the postpartum visit, we demonstrate Dr. Harvey Karp’s, “Happiest Baby on the Block” baby-calming techniques for you, and we practice swaddling your baby.
Our fee for doula services is $1200.00, payable in a non-refundable deposit of $500.00, at the initial visit when we agree to work together. The remaining balance is due by the 38th week of pregnancy. My fee covers all prenatal meetings and the postpartum visit, as well as breastfeeding counsel by phone or email for the first 6-weeks you breastfeed your baby!

 

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 decision
  • 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.

 

Studies on doulas shows:

Studies completed by Dr. Marshall Klaus and Dr. John Kennell, published in the book Mothering the Mother (also called The Doula Book) have proven that a doula can have a significant impact on labor and birth. The study concluded the following statistics which lend to support for having a doula present:

  • 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
  • 25% shorter labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests
  • 40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use
  • 40% reduction in forceps delivery

Our doula services include:

Initial Consultation Visit (Complimentary)
Two prenatal meetings (time permitting, more if desired)
Full access to lending library and relevant pregnancy and childbirth information
Birth plan consulting
24/7 availability to answer questions by phone
On call two weeks on ether side of your guess date
Continuous labor and birth support beginning when and where you need it
One to three hours of postpartum support or until the new family is comfortable on their own
Postpartum visit to discuss the birth and answer any questions
Two week, four week and six week postpartum phone call
Phone support for up to one month postpartum if needed

To schedule a free consultation, please call or email me today. If you would like to check my availability for your guess date, please see my doulamatch.com calendar here.


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