Birth Support

As a Birth Doula, I support birthing people in labor to help encourage a safe and satisfying birth experience.  I draw from my knowledge and experience as a doula and a mother to provide emotional support, physical comfort, informational support and help to facilitate communication between birthing person and care providers.  I can provide encouragement and perspective to you and your partner (if present), make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, use comfort touch techniques, positioning and other measures for comfort.  As your doula, I work with you to ensure a positive, peaceful and healthy birth.

I provide 2 prenatal visits during which we can get to know each other, discuss your birth plan, your preferences regarding doula support, possible interventions, informed consent, birthing positions, comfort touch measures and address any concerns you may have. I provide phone and email support upon hire through 2 weeks postpartum (24 hour phone support from 37 weeks).  I will consider myself on-call for your birth from 2 weeks before your due date.  After your birth I will remain with you for up to two hours, until you are comfortable, your questions are answered and your family is ready for quiet time together.  I would also be happy to assist you with initial breastfeeding.

•  2, 2 hour prenatal visits as stated above (in person if local and preferred or virtual)
• On call support starting at 38 weeks to answer questions and offer suggestions and reassurance
• Communication through birth process with laboring person and/or partner to offer support, suggestions for position changes and comfort touch measures, options in terms of interventions and hospital recommendations via phone, text and facetime as needed. 
  
• 1, 2 hour Postpartum visit within 2 weeks after birth via home visit (if local) or virtual to discuss breastfeeding, infant care and new family well being 

As your doula I will use these labor support methods during your labor:

• Comfort Touch, counter-pressure, acupressure
  
• Positioning
  
• Physical comfort measures such as hot/cold compress, lower lighting, bath/shower
  
• Emotional Support
  
• Facilitate communication
  
•  Provide information and resources regarding options and rights
  

During our 2 hour prenatal visits we will discuss birth plan topics and what to include in your birth plan, navigating possible interventions and informed consent, labor positions, comfort touch measures as well as other concerns you may have.

Within 2 weeks following your birth I will visit you for a postpartum support session. During this time I can answer any questions you may have regarding your birth, newborn questions, as well as offer breastfeeding support. 

• Discussion of your birth preferences, birth plan topics to think about, hospital policies and procedures, common provider recommendations, avoiding unnecessary hospital interventions, best ways to manage each stage of labor, things you can be doing in pregnancy to encourage a smoother, well informed, positive birth experience, and any other topics of concern !
• Pertinent resource links, referrals and hand-outs to support our discussion and an empowering and healthy labor and birth 
• This is a personalized time, so whatever is pertinent to your concerns as a birthing person will guide our discussion