Birth Doula

Consultation
This free consultation is a great opportunity to meet and get to know one other. I will be glad to answer any questions that you may have about how I might support your family. I will provide you with a detailed explanation of my services and availability. This consultation carries with it no expectation of you hiring me, only as a stepping stone to finding the perfect doula for your family. This meeting should last about an hour at an agreed upon place and time.

Contact
I will be available to you during normal business hours by phone, text or email during your pregnancy to answer questions or provide you with resources. When you are 37 weeks I will go “on call” where I will be available 24/7 until you meet your baby!

Prenatal Visits
I will come to your home for 2-3 prenatal visits. During these visits we will go over your birth intentions, how to create a birth plan that fits your family and comfort measures for labor. If you’ll be birthing with a partner, I will also provide resources to them about how to best support you on the big day and how we will all work together to make a great birth team!

During Labor
Once labor begins I will be in constant contact with you. Depending on your birth plan, I will either meet you at your house to support you or meet you at the place you have chosen to birth. Once you call me to join you I will be by your side until baby arrives and for some time after.

Golden Hour
In the hour following your baby’s birth I will be there as needed to help you with skin to skin contact, initiating breastfeeding and emotional support to you and your partner. I also have alternative support knowledge should any unplanned interventions are needed.

Postpartum
I will remain available to you via phone, text or email for several weeks following your birth and will schedule a postpartum visit to your home around week 3. Should you need breastfeeding support before that time, I am glad to assist you with that as well. (See my fee schedule for this additional service). At the postpartum home visit we will process your birth story together, I will provide you with my labor notes and any resources that you might need for your new journey as a family.

What to Expect
As your doula I will provide you and your partner with emotional and physical support, as well as educational and community resources. This includes encouraging words, a calm presence, and knowledgeable approach to birth. I will assist you in the best positions and techniques to manage pain and discomfort and keep your birth plan in the forefront of all decisions made during labor. I will provide you with the most up to date evidence based practices to help you make informed decisions, and I will remind you of the strength and beauty of birth.

As your doula I cannot perform any medical tasks such as cervical checks, blood pressure or fetal monitoring. I will not allow my opinions or values to override your ability to make informed decisions about your birth experience.