Birth Doula Services
As your birth doula, I will provide the following services:
- An initial no-cost, no-obligation consultation
- 2 -4 Prenatal visits to build a trusting relationship. During this time I will help you develop a birth plan, give assistance in finding any answers to questions you have about pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care, discuss with you different laboring positions as well as relaxation techniques and other comfort measures.
- Go with you to 1 prenatal office appointment with your doctor or midwife(optional), as well as have contact with you after every appointment to discuss any progress changes, questions or concerns you may have
- Phone or E-Mail support through-out pregnancy, labor and postpartum care
- On call time beginning at 38 weeks, 24/hrs a day 7 days a week
- Resources and referrals for our area
- Provide continuous emotional and physical labor support to you, whether you are birthing at home, a hospital or birthing center
- Will support a wide variety of birth plans including, natural, medicated, cesarean, VBAC and water births. This is a non-medical care given in cooperation with your doctor or midwife
- Massage and Acupressure techniques
- Support to the father/partner in their role, including tips and suggestions on ways to help ease your labor
- Pregnancy, labor and birth photography if you desire and if circumstances allow. My goal in photography is to capture those precious moments that you might not be aware of as well as preserve memories to reflect on afterward.
- Assistance with breastfeeding, if you decide to breastfeed your baby
- Will stay with you after baby is born to help with anything you need settling in or recovering after your delivery. (1 to 2 hrs)
- On call phone support up to 2 weeks postpartum
- 1 postpartum visit 1-2 weeks after returning home to discuss birth and help find answers to any childcare questions or recovery questions
- Continuous prayer and encouragement
My Story
I
am the mother of 3 girls, each with their own special and unique birth
story. My first ended up being a surprise cesarean birth with no labor
and the second and third were successful, non-medicated, VBACs. These experiences
have helped me see and understand the need and benefit of having additional support and encouragement during childbirth from a trained doula who offers continuous labor support. I am a christian birth doula and have trained with DONA international in October of 2009. I have attended 15 births, so far, and am in the process of completing my certification.
I became a birth doula because I love everything about pregnancy, birth
and babies and I greatly desire to support women and their partners as
they experience one of the greatest and emotional times of their lives. I often say that, although birth is the most messiest, exhausting and painful thing most of us will endure, it is also the most rewarding, precious and joyous experience. I feel ALL women should have the support they need, regardless of financial status, age, race and presence or absence of a partner/spouse. I want to change the birth experience to being a positive one where we are excited and joyful to give birth instead of fearful.
My Service Area
I
live in Springfield, MA and am willing to work with anyone that is in
an approximate 1 hour radius. Depending on your location or
situation I am willing to make exceptions, or I will help you find other
doula that is in your area.
My Fees
My fee is $500.
Please contact me to discuss volunteer or reduced cost options if this fee doesn't fit into your
budget, because I feel that no mother who wishes for labor support
should do without.
A
non-refundable deposit is required upon signing of contracts to cover
pre-labor support, the rest will be due once services have been
completed, unless other payment plans have been worked out.
