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Birth Doula Services
Prenatal
Interview: An important time for the expectant mother (and partner) to evaluate the compatibility of the doula's philosophy and services with their needs and desires. We will go over patient/doula confidentiality, the patient/doula contract, and the doula scope of practice. I will provide you with professional references as well as lists for physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, breast feeding educators, lactation consultants and others as requested. If you find that you would like to hire me as your doula, a non-refundable retainer fee is due to secure services.
Initial Visit*: (8-12 weeks prior to due date) During this visit we are able to discuss your desires and needs for the remainder of your pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum periods. We discuss your history and the many personal variables that make your experience unique to anyone else’s. From this in-depth discussion we are able to work together to address your needs and desires while respecting the changing nature of birth. This visit is about understanding and supporting your desires for birth and takes place in your home.
2nd Prenatal Visit: (6-8 weeks prior to due date) Practicing pain coping techniques and addressing questions you may have regarding labor and delivery make up the bulk of this visit. Discussion of newborn procedures (circumcision, immunizations, etc) is also covered. This visit encourages autonomy in decision making and coping, and takes place in your home with partner present. Second payment is due 8 weeks prior to estimated due date.
3rd Prenatal Visit: (2-4 weeks prior to due date) It is important to me that I have an established rapport with your midwife or doctor. For that reason this visit consists of my accompanying you on a pre-natal visit to your doctor or midwife. Following this visit we will discuss any questions or concerns that have arisen. This is the final face-to-face visit before labor and delivery. Final payment is due 4 weeks prior to estimated due date.
Phone Accessibility: I am available to you by phone between the hours of 9am-3pm from the time our professional relationship is initiated until 2 weeks prior to your due date, at which time I am available 24-hours a day for questions and concerns up to the date of delivery and continuing for 2 weeks post-partum.
Labor and Delivery
I offer continuous care from established onset of active labor, including transition to birthing place from home if desired, through 2 hours post-partum.
The care I provide during labor and delivery consists of individualized support for emotional and physical needs, to include:
- Birth room atmosphere
- Visualization/Meditation
- Breath work/Vocalization
- Relaxation/Focus
- Mobility and position changes
- Use of modalities such as birth ball, shower/tub,
rocking chair, hot/cold packs, massage tools,
aromatherapy
- Verbal encouragement
- Understanding of procedures and terms
Immediate postpartum care consists of individualized support for:
- Emotional and physical needs
- Promoting early bonding
- Establishing breastfeeding
- Protecting the family environment
I do my very best to provide a back up doula to assist you if I am unavoidably unable to attend your birth. My case load is quite limited, my care quite personal, and my availability to you quite open; as a result, I've been fortunate to have attended all but one of my clients births.
In addition to the continuous care I provide, photography (as allowed by hospital policy), labor progress notes, and a keepsake birth story for the baby are available, if requested, at no extra charge .
Postpartum
1st Postpartum Visit: (within first 2 days following birth)Early referrals can be made at this time if needed or requested. This visit allows me to assist with your immediate postpartum needs, including, but not limited to, breastfeeding assistance.
2nd Postpartum Visit: (4-6 wks postpartum) As a service to those who request it, I will make a post-partum visit to your home to provide support and encouragement in your parenting experience and make referrals as needed or requested. This is a chance for us to re-live and process your baby's birth through shared experience. This is also a time for us to bring closure to our professional relationship.
I am available for questions and referrals throughout the first year of your baby's life. Please email, or call between the hours of 9am-3pm.
Birth Doula Fees
Please call or e-mail me for a fee schedule.
When you are weighing the cost and value of doula services consider the experience and advocacy you are gaining by entering into the relationship. A doula is often the only person at a birth who is devoted solely to the couples emotional and physical well being without the need to attend to clinical responsibilities. As your doula, I remain as a source of encouragement and reassurance throughout the birth, regardless of how many shift changes occur or what clinical tasks need to be attended to. My focus remains that of providing guidance, advocacy, and maintaining an atmosphere conducive to a positive birth experience for you as you define it.Financial ability should never stand in the way of a woman securing labor support. Should you find my fees cost prohibitive please discuss this with me.
Childbirth Preparation Classes
Birthing From Within Childbirth Preparation
Weekend Immersions
Couples come together for an intimate weekend of:
~exploration of personal views about birth
~learning proven pain-coping techniques
~discovering how to birth aware and empowered
~sharing in a compassionate atmosphere
~experiencing a multi-sensory, introspective way of preparing for birth and parenthood
Immersion Weekends: Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm
Space is limited.