What is a Doula?

As a doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw on my education and experience in healthcare to provide the pregnant woman the information she needs to have the most empowering birth that she can. I provide emotional support, physical support and as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, help with relaxation, massage positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self employed. As your doula, I work for you, not your caregiver or hospital.

What services do you provide?

• Assistance with completion of written birth plan
• Prenatal visits
• 25 hour on-call availability before the due date until two weeks postpartum
• Back-up arrangements in the event I am unavailable
• Support in early labor as needed in the home or hospital
• Continuity of care once active labor has begun–assistance and support during labor, birth and up to 2 hours after the baby is born
• Photography and/or video recording during labor and birth with professional camera
• Assistance in unexpected circumstances with compassion and knowledge of resources
• 24 hr on call postpartum and lactation support
• Postpartum visits

What do we do during prenatal visits?

I like to meet with you and your partner multiple times prior to the birth to become well acquainted and plan how we might work best together. These meetings provide time to prepare a birth plan,  answer any questions, explore your options, preferences and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns you may have about giving birth. I want to know your own best ways of coping with stress, pain and fatigue so I can help you in the best way I can! We may also go through laboring positions and come up with a good bunch of playlists to get you through labor. If you have dogs and plan on laboring at home for any length of time, I’d like to meet your pups so they can know me ahead of time!

 

At what point should I call you?

I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need me. I can answer any questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide if I should come to you right then or wait for further change. (I usually need an hour to get to you from the time you ask me to come.) We will also decide where to meet–your home, my home or the hospital. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout the labor and birth.

 

What happens after the birth?

I will remain with you for up to two hours after birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. I can help with initial breastfeeding, if necessary.  During the postpartum period, I am available for contact to answer questions or help with lactation. Within a few weeks we will meet to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby and get feedback from you about my role. If I took photos during your birth, I will get them to you within a few days after the birth.

 

Fee for Doula Package

My services are available to every woman.  As I understand that not everyone can afford the average cost of a doula, I have a generous sliding scale based upon your ability to pay.  I am open to payment arrangements  and I am also open to bartering! These things can be discussed to meet your individual needs.

 

What Doulas DO NOT Do

As a doula, I do not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. I am there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy.

• Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan.

• Speak to the staff on your behalf. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.

• Provide transportation to or from the hospital for the clients or any member of her family. Also, I do not ride as a passenger in the client’s vehicle. When providing early support in the client’s home, I will use my own transportation and meet client at the hospital.

 

Failure to Provide Service

I will make every effort to provide the services described herein. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, a rapid labor). If failure to attend your birth is due to my error, ⅔ or total payment will be refunded to the client for the labor support portion of the fee. If it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, a rapid labor or your failure to call me, NO portion of the fee will be refunded. however, the postpartum support will be provided as well as postpartum visits.