What is a Doula?

Throughout the ages, women have turned to experienced and caring women called doulas for guidance and support as they navigate the transition into motherhood. A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides you with continuous emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after the birth of your baby. In modern days, labors attended by doulas have been found to be shorter, with less complications and requiring fewer medical interventions.

A Doula:

• Shares her knowledge of the physiology of pregnancy and birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Gets to know you prenatally, helping you identify what is important to you about your birth
• Attends your birth, day or night
• Offers suggestions for coping with labor, and helps labor unfold as quickly and easily as possible
• Facilitates communication between the woman, her partner, and her clinical care providers
• Works together with the mother’s partner to provide support to the mother, and suggests ways the partner can help

Women supported by a doula are:

• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
• 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
• 36% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

Doulas are trained to support you during your birth. We see each woman and family as unique. Your birth will unfold in its own way and you will make choices that are right for you. Our job as your doula is to support you through this beautiful birth experience that is your own.

We are able to support you if you are low risk or high risk, using a midwife or doctor, planning a homebirth or hospital birth – you and your partner are entitled to the support of a doula.  Doulas work with clients who want to avoid medications, as well as those clients who are planning to use medications.

As both the mothers who have used doulas and the doctors who have studied them will tell you, hiring a doula is the best thing you can do for your birth.

Doula Fee Schedule

The first consultation is always free. If we are a good fit for each other and you would like me to assist you during your birth, you will receive the following:

• Two prenatal visits to help you prepare your birth plan, and to
  familiarize you and your partner with the various comfort measures a doula can provide during labor. During these prenatal visits, we will have a chance to get to know one another, so that you will feel comfortable with my attending your birth.
• Telephone/email support for the two weeks prior to your due date and the first two weeks postpartum. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
• Doula support during your labor, no matter how long or short it is. I
  will join you when you feel you need my support, whether you are laboring at home or at the hospital.
• Support after birth for the first hour or two, to assist with breastfeeding and recovery.
• Photos taken before, during, and after the birth, if desired.

Two postpartum visits:

• On the first visit, we will discuss the birth, address any questions or concerns you may have about breastfeeding or your baby, and, of course, get a picture with the new arrival!
• On the second visit, I teach daddy how to do baby massage. This is something that can be a special time, a bonding experience for father and baby.

Fee for the above: $700 – 1st payment due upon signing of contract, 2nd payment payable on due date

Postpartum Support: $25/hour for a minimum of 4 hours

For more information and availability, please contact me