What is a Doula?
A doula is a professional who is trained in childbirth and provides continuous support to a mother before, during, and just after birth.
While performing her role, a doula:
When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women have experienced a:
While performing her role, a doula:
- Provides emotional support
- Uses comfort measures: breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning
- Offers evidence-based information and resources
- Continuously reassures and comforts the mother
- Helps a mother become informed about various birth choices
- Facilitates communication between the parents and care provider
- Looks after the partner, but a doula's primary responsibility is to the mother
When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women have experienced a:
- 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
- 28% decrease in the risk of Cesarean section
- 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
- 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
- 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
- 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
Authentic Birth Doula Services
- Free consultation/initial meeting
- Welcome packet with resources
- Two prenatal visits
- Unlimited communication via phone or email
- 24/7 on call availability from 37 weeks until birth
- Continuous support during labor + birth
- Support for birth partner
- Two postpartum visits in your home
- Lending library
- On-call back-up doula
- The fee for my birth doula service package is $700. A $200 retainer is due with the signed contract, and will secure your place on my calendar. The final fee of $500 is due 30 days prior to your EDD. Please notify me if you have a financial need. It is important to me that no woman be turned away due to financial reasons; every woman deserves a doula.
Authentic Birth Doula Service - Details
One postpartum visit in your home sometime between 3-6 weeks following the birth
- Free consultation/initial meeting that will give us the opportunity to meet, share thoughts, and ensure the fit is ideal
- Welcome Packet filled with information, resources and helpful tips
- Two Prenatal visits where we will have time to chat and get to know each other (partners included), discuss any concerns you might have about birth, and go over your wishes for birth and postpartum plans. We will also practice comfort measures, positions, visualization, and relaxation techniques
- Unlimited support via email, phone, and text throughout your pregnancy, and for up to 6 weeks after birth
- Continuous physical and emotional support during labor and birth (beginning at home if you choose) until 1-2 hours postpartum
- Preparing you to be an advocate for you and your baby
- Support for birth partner
- Lending library which includes books, babywearing gear, DVDs, and more
- Two postpartum visits to reconnect, reflect upon your birth story, share birth notes, and assess your postpartum wellbeing :
One postpartum visit in your home sometime between 3-6 weeks following the birth
- For six weeks following birth, available by phone or email
- Referrals for resources outside of my scope of practice
- On-call back up doula
Add-On Services
- Belly cast (includes supplies) - $100
- Bengkung Belly Binding (does not include wrap) - $50
- Family meals (home-cooked nutritious meals, four servings) - $20
- Assistance composing birth story - $50
- Additional postpartum visits - $50 per visit
- Postpartum Support Services for one month - $400