Doula Services
Through centuries, women have been giving birth with another experienced woman by their side. Only during this century with the modernization of birth, has that changed. Medical care during labor and delivery is a wonderful thing, but the isolation that some first time mothers feel is not. Having had a less than ideal first labor, I was determined to have a better experience the second time around. I hired two midwives to treat me during my pregnancy and to deliver my baby. While I labored and delivered in the same location, the experience was so much better. My midwife was there the whole time and was so supportive and encouraging. She in fact was my doula, or my birth assistant, as well as my midwife. It was after seeing the difference between my two births that made me realize I wanted to help women get the birth experience that they wanted. That is how I started my journey as a doula.
Research shows that having a doula during labor and delivery helped women have;
25% Shorter Labors
40% Less Pitocin Use
30% Less Narcotics Use
60% Fewer Epidurals
30% Fewer Instrumental Deliveries
50% Fewer Cesarean Deliveries
A doula is there to offer support to the mother and father-to-be. I will set up a consultation appointment during your pregnancy and also will attend at least one of your prenatal appointments. During the course of your pregnancy, I will be available to answer any questions that you have. If you choose one of our Mommy-to-Be packages, you will also receive prenatal massages during this time. When the time comes and you are in labor, you will give me a call and I will come to your house and be with you while you labor at home. There I can offer suggestions about positions and remedies to help labor progress. When it comes time to head to the hospital, I will follow you there. I will stay with you the entire duration of labor and delivery, suggestion position that may benefit you and also some pain relief techniques.
After delivery, I will stay with you for as long as needed to make sure that mommy, baby, and daddy are getting to know each other and breastfeeding (if that is what the mother chooses) is going well. During the next two weeks, I will make a visit at home to check on the family and offer any assistance I can. I will also be available for phone calls to help with baby care questions.
Now that we have said all that, there are a few myths about Doulas that I feel I should clear up. Please visit our Myths Page to find out more.
I am currently accepting new Doula Clients.
Find us on Doula Network