*What is new in the birth-world with Covid 19? Currently some hospitals and birth centers are only allowing one person to accompany the birthing person. If you do not choose a Doula to be this one person, you may still choose to hire a Doula for prenatal, birth, and postpartum support. A Doula can support you through pregnancy, early labor, and active labor in your home and/or virtually. Early labor tends to be the longest phase and it is crucial to have support during this time. It is also wonderful to be supported throughout the postpartum period. Even if your Doula cannot physically accompany you in the moment of birth she can still support the birthing adventure and beyond! Doulas can also be wonderful allies in home birth experiences. You still have options! *Update 2021* Many Doulas are receiving the Covid 19 vaccine and being allowed back in hospitals and birth centers! I will be fully vaccinated by the end of February.
Birth Support It is an honor to accompany families through the incredible adventure of pregnancy, birth, and beyond. A Birth Doula is a trained professional who offers physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after birth. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs during labor. She recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember for the rest of her life. Studies have shown that when Doulas attend births labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and able to breastfeed more easily.
As a Birth Doula I stay with you throughout labor and a few hours after baby is born. I can offer information to assist in decision making and help facilitate communication between you, your support team, and the medical care providers. I can offer physical comfort and relaxation techniques including massage, Craniosacral, working with the breath, positional suggestions, meditation and mindfulness practice, and Sensory Awareness. Reminders to rest, stay nourished, and well hydrated are important on this powerful journey. I am also trained to help with breastfeeding support.
A Birth Doula Package includes a Free 30 minute introductory call, usually over the phone, and at least 2 Prenatal visits, 24-hour availability starting 2 weeks before your due date until birth and 2 Postpartum visits. In the Introductory call we will discuss what type of birth experience you would like and how I can support you. We will introduce ourselves and discuss experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. If it feels like a good fit we will make an appointment to meet in person and discuss in more detail how I can best accompany you on this new life adventure.
Postpartum Support I am passionate about supporting families in the tender time of having a new baby. It is so important to have adequate support in the postpartum period and far too common for families to feel overwhelmed and isolated after birth. We tend to focus a lot of energy on the birth experience and forget that we are postpartum for the rest of our lives! We usually need the most help during the first 3 months postpartum, which is also called the 4th trimester. During this time mother and baby may still feel like they are sharing one body and it is common to feel exhausted and depleted. After birth mothers need to be nourished and cared for to replenish physically, mentally, and emotionally. Taking care of a new baby is a huge task and we are not meant to do it alone!
In postpartum visits we can process your birth experience, I can offer massage and Craniosacral, and help clean up the house, do dishes, and laundry. I can prepare meals and hold your baby so you have time nap, shower, or do whatever feels most nourishing for you. I can offer support for breastfeeding and sleep. Most importantly I will make sure you feel cared for and nurtured. A new mother needs to be mothered too. What felt most helpful for me after having my baby were calm visitors who would feed me nutritious meals, hold my baby, make me laugh, and witness my tears. This is what I want to offer you! All mothers need to be held and supported along the way. It takes a village to raise a child and a mother. The best way to take care of a new baby is to care for the mother.
I would love to support you to have a nourished and empowering experience!
For more information about the benefits of Doulas check out the DONA International website at www.Dona.org
RATES: The Birth Doula Package Costs: $1200 A deposit of $300 is paid at the initial meeting and the rest is paid before 36 weeks. I am happy to work out a payment plan that works for you and can be flexible about pricing. It is important to me that this work is accessible. Postpartum $110 ~ For One Postpartum Visit (About 3 Hours) $300 ~ For a Package of 3 Postpartum Visits