DOULA SERVICES
“A doula enters the space of a labouring woman and is highly responsive and aware of her needs, moods, changes, and unspoken feelings. She has no need to control or smother.
Every pregnant woman should have the benefits of a doula. This person does not detract from the role of the baby’s father or co-parent, by the way. It enhances it and leaves him (or her) free to do the very important job of loving the mother. ”
~Christiane Northrup, M.D. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
What is a Doula?
The word doula comes from the Greek word meaning, “a woman who serves.” Doulas are experienced labor assistants who provide non-medical, physical, emotional and informed choice support in prenatal care, during labor and birth and during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that having doula support during birth:
- Reduced the caesareans rate by 50%
- Reduced length of labor by 25%
- Reduced the use of epidurals by 60%
- Reduced the use of forceps by 30%
- Decreases postpartum depression
- Improves breastfeeding
* From Mothering the Mother by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus
My Services
My doula services include:
- Free initial consultation
- 2 Prenatal visits
- Unlimited phone/email support
- Continuous presence through labor and birth and immediately postpartum (approximately 2 hours)
- Home support before going to hospital if possible
- Postpartum visit
- Breastfeeding support/education
- Childbirth Education
I recommend that you interview at least 3 doulas to help you find the best fit for you. Experience is important, but sometimes a newer doula has the enthusiasm to make up for her lack of experience. How a doula interacts with the medical staff is important. There is a fine balance between open communication between the doula and the medical staff and not overstepping her boundaries. Your doula should instill in you a feeling of confidence, calm and trust.
During our prenatal visits, we will discuss YOUR desires for birth. Every women is different in how she sees her ideal birth playing out. It doesn’t matter what your friend’s birth was like, or your sister’s, or mine for that matter. I want to hear
your biggest wishes and desires. I also want to hear your biggest fears about birth and try to build some coping techniques around them. We will also discuss the role of the birth partner and clarify what he or she is comfortable doing. Some partners are comfortable catching their new baby, others would like to stay “north of the equator”, as I like to say. There is no judgement either way, but what’s important to me is that the birth partner is comfortable with their role because this is
their experience too.
Also included in my service is a
prenatal foot pampering session. During the second prenatal visit, I will soak mama-to-be’s feet in a soothing herbal salt bath and give her a relaxing foot massage. I encourage partners to be involved too and help with a hand massage while I focus on her feet. At this time, I also instruct couples on techniques for acupressure during labor.
I can tailor the prenatal meetings to your personal preferences too. Some couples want to practice labor positions, others want to focus on relaxation techniques. My goal is to help you find what you need to give birth.
Our postpartum meeting will include going over your birth experience, answering new parent questions, help with breastfeeding, and a new mom belly bandage wrap.
Birth Doula Fee:
Contact for pricing
