What is a Doula?
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 mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, women require less pain medication, there is more satisfaction in birth which positively influences the postpartum period, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula:
• Recognizes birth as a key experience the birth giver will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a birthing person while in labor
• Assists the expectant parents in preparing for and carrying out their plans for birth
• Stays with the laboring mother throughout the labor providing true continuity of care in today’s world this is hard to find.
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the expectant parents get the information they need to make informed decisions
• Facilitates communication between the laboring person, the birth partner and the clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the parent’s memory of the birth experience
• Does not REPLACE the birthing partner as birth support person but assists the partner to know how to support and allows them to participate at his/her comfort level
BIRTH DOULA PACKAGES:
Birth Preparation $800. This package includes two prenatal education visits (2 hours each), to help create a birth and postpartum plan, the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class (3 hours), and either the Infant Massage class or the Breastfeeding Preparation & Early Days of Parenthood class (2 hours). It also includes the use of my lending library, phone support during your pregnancy and birth as well as one postpartum follow up visit (1.5 hours).
The Complete Birth Doula Service $1300. This package includes two prenatal education visits (2 hours each), to help create a birth and postpartum plan, the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class (3 hours), and either the Infant Massage class or the Breastfeeding Preparation and Early Newborn Cares class (2 hours), the use of my lending library, phone support during your pregnancy and 12 contracted hours of face to face support during your birth as well as one postpartum follow up visit (1.5 hours) and
The Premium Birth Doula Service $1600. This package includes two prenatal education visits (2 hours each), to help create a birth and postpartum plan, the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class (3 hours), and either the Infant Massage class or the Breastfeeding Preparation and Early Newborn Cares class (2 hours), two prenatal massages (1.5 hour each), the use of my lending library, phone support during your pregnancy and 12 contracted hours of face to face support during your birth as well as one postpartum follow up visit (1.5 hours), and one postpartum massage (1.5 hours).
A Postpartum Doula:
• Recognizes and respects the fourth trimester as an important adjustment period that the birth giver will remember all their life.
• Provides emotional support and physical aid in the recovery from birth.
• Understands the needs of the postpartum birth giver, her partner, and the baby or babies.
• Assists with the needs of the older siblings: helping them to adjust to life with a new baby, as well as the needs of the home
• Offers non-judgmental support, evidence-based education, practical hands on guidance and encouragement to empower the new mother.
• Provides assistance in the parent/baby bonding process, help with feedings, soothing baby tips and tricks, and basic newborn care.
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s experience
• Does not REPLACE the birth person’s postpartum support person but assists the partner to know how to support. Can also be attentive to the birth giver at times her partner is unavailable or at work. Assisting new parents in the transition into their new life after the birth of their new baby.
POSTPARTUM DOULA PACKAGES:
Basic Postpartum Doula Service $395. This package includes one prenatal visit (1.5 hours) to create your plan and prepare for baby’s arrival and three postpartum visits (1.5 hours each) This time can be used for early newborn care education, or physical tasks i.e. help sorting washing & folding baby clothes, organizing the nursery, food prep to fill your freezer even baby care while you shower or nap! This package includes use of the lending library for preparation for parenthood as well as phone support.
The Complete Postpartum Doula Service $495. This package includes one prenatal visit (1.5 hours) to create your plan and prepare for baby’s arrival. Your choice of a breastfeeding preparation class or infant massage class (2.5 hours) and three postpartum visits (1.5 hours each) This time can be used for early newborn care education, or physical tasks i.e. help sorting washing folding baby clothes, organizing the nursery, food prep to fill your freezer even baby care while you shower or nap! This package includes use of the lending library for preparation for parenthood as well as phone support.
The Premium Postpartum Doula Service $695. This package includes one prenatal visit (1.5 hours) to create your plan and prepare for baby’s arrival. Both a breastfeeding preparation class and an infant massage class (2.5 hours each), a postpartum massage (1.5 hours) and three postpartum visits (1.5 hours each) This time can be used for early newborn care education, or physical tasks i.e. help sorting washing folding baby clothes, organizing the nursery, food prep to fill your freezer even baby care while you shower or nap! This package includes use of the lending library for preparation for parenthood as well as phone support.