Doula Support - CD (DONA)
It is recommended to call as soon as possible for availability around your "due range".
I have experience supporting women with unmedicated labors, as well as with epidurals. My professional experience includes VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and I have accompanied women and families in both hospital and home birth settings. As a doula, I listen deeply to what each mother wants for her birth so that I can support her and her family through their personal journey. I can be thought of as her "best friend" for labor and birth, as I hold space for her with unconditional acceptance. Women have always supported each other in labor. Today, fathers and partners usually want to be involved, but may not know what to do and are understandably uncomfortable when the women they love are in pain. Even partners who have taken prenatal classes often appreciate having an experienced woman to share in labor support responsibilities, while offering gentle guidance and reassurance. I enjoy supporting partners to participate at their desired comfort level to enhance their ability to uniquely love and care for the mother. With doula support, mothers and partners are better able to cope with the intensity of labor and stay present for their baby's birth. |
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Birth is a sacred rite of passage. A mother and her family are forever changed by their experience and will always remember it. Mothers are often called to bring their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual resources to the process of giving birth, which strengthens and transforms them. An empowering birth can inspire a woman with confidence in all other areas of her life, including her relationships, parenting, and career. Through receiving gentleness and honor from another woman during her labor, a mother can see her own divine feminine power reflected back to her. It is that same special nurturance that she will soon share with her newborn. |
You might be wondering what I provide as a Doula?...
• 24-hour on-call phone support and availability to attend your birth (including back-up coverage) for your estimated "due range"
• Continuous non-medical physical and emotional support and comfort to birthing women and their families throughout labor and immediate postpartum.
• Prenatal visits to get acquainted, review your preferences for your birth, as well as any concerns, and learn how I can best support you and your team.
• Offer a variety of pain-coping practices, including Birthing From Within mindfulness practices.
• Assist you in asking questions about your care and communicating your desires to medical staff.
• During labor, maintain your hydration and remind you of positional changes.
• Massage your feet, hands, head or back, if desired.
• Provide a birth log of events and meet with you postpartum to process your birth.
• Support your partner, and work collaboratively with your careproviders.
• Take photographs during your labor and birth, if desired.
So what are the benefits of having a Doula?...
Increased: • Satisfaction with birth, with baby and family/partner, and self-esteem, breastfeeding success. Decreased: (statistics from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Safer and Easier Birth by Klaus, Kennell and Klaus (1993) • 50% reduction in cesarean rate • 25% shorter labor • 60% reduction in epidural requests • 40% reduction in oxytocin use (to induce or strengthen contractions) • 30% reduction in analgesia use • 40% reduction in forceps deliveries
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My fee includes two prenatal visits, attending your labor and birth, and one postpartum visit. One-half of the fee is due upon hiring me to hold your due date on my calendar. I offer a free initial consultation to determine if we are a good match. I believe in "a doula for every woman who wants one" and will gladly offer referrals when requested.
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