So, You're Like a Midwife, Right?

Birth doulas are not midwives. Doulas provide non-medical support, they fill in the gap in prenatal care. That empty space between doctors appointments and advice from friends where important questions go unanswered. Doulas provide the missing emotional support, the nurturing of the family through their experience.

Your doula is there to help the personal and intimate experience be satisfying, empowering, and meaningful. A birth doula provides support through discussion of your birth plan or choices available to you and answers questions about labor, birth, and parenting. Labor support includes comfort measures and maintaining complete focus on you during labor. In the early postpartum period doulas provide breastfeeding assistance, information on parenting basics, and care for the mother during her recovery.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

At the end of 2012 I began the birth doula certification process through the organization Childbirth International. Soon after my training was complete and I was ready to take on clients. Since then, my focus has been on educating families in the area on the role of a doula. You may have seen me at local farmers’ markets, fairs, and vendor shows. I also coordinate the local Rally to Improve Birth, a national campaign which brings awareness to the public about the dire state of maternity care in this country.

For the past few years I have continued to expand my knowledge of pregnancy, labor, birth, newborn care, parenting, and postpartum recovery by reading connecting with experienced doulas online, reading numerous books, and listening to women tell their birth stories. I have expanded my network of contacts over the years, learning of the various people and programs available in this area who provide assistance during pregnancy and postpartum.

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Currently I have three different birth doula service packages available. For those looking for mostly hands on labor support, the basic package will meet their needs. This economic service includes a prenatal phone conversation, 12 hours of labor support (with an hourly surcharge after 12 hours), and postpartum support in the hospital. The typical family will need more support prenatally and should choose the deluxe package. You won’t have to worry about how long your labor is, there is no additional charge if in person support goes beyond 12 hours. The deluxe package also includes a postpartum visit in your home. The premium package goes above and beyond with additional prenatal and postpartum support. All packages include text, email, and phone support, access to a lending library, and on call availability starting at 37 weeks.

Interested in only postpartum support? Postpartum services are available with a minimum of 10 hours of support and services can be continued for 3 months, or longer.

Over the last few years I’ve developed multiple products which nourish your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Choose from lactation cookie mixes, organic herbal teas, herbal bath blends, massage oil, red raspberry leaf capsules, and more.