I'd be honored to be part of your baby's birth
I provide evidence-based research, resources, and anecdotal experience so that expecting parents know and trust their pregnancy, their labor, and their baby. I will never speak for my clients but, rather, offer unbiased and experienced knowledge along the way so that my clients can choose the right providers and advocate for themselves while I provide endless physical and emotional support.
Well, for one thing, doulas have nothing to do with orifices. (I know, it's an icky word.) A doula's support is non-clinical, meaning there is a great deal of touch and care, but never internally or diagnostically. Midwives provide health care (as an alternative to OB/GYNs), and birth doulas provide complementary heart and head care for birthing person and partner. A midwife's time with a laboring person centers around baby's safe arrival, and a doula will be with you prior to and throughout the birth, providing holistic comfort measures. I love being a doula and also happen to think midwives are fierce and inspiring.
Not this one. A doula should understand your birth vision and help you achieve it when you're in labor, without a separate agenda and with zero judgment. This is your body and your baby, and a doula should meet you where you're at. That said, I hope to provide ample evidence for the immense physical and emotional benefits of birthing without interventions, and empower you to trust your body's spectacular and natural ability to do so.
The best doula is successful when the new parents come away feeling amazed by one another instead of amazed by the doula. By coaching the birth partner in pain management, comfort techniques, and emotional fortitude, the doula allows him or her to shine. Similarly, by giving the birthing person the tools to be present and strong and focused, a doula bolsters birthing person's most radiant and powerful self - a stunning force to behold.
You may hire one for any of the following evidence based reasons. Birthing people who receive continuous support are:
$1950 includes 1-2 visits prenatally (in addition to the free initial in-person interview), phone calls & e-mails galore, labor & delivery support beginning to end (plus 1-2 hours after birth), and 1-2 post-partum visits. Couples who opt for my complete 8-9 hour birth education package pay an additional $300 (totaling $2250).*
Half the fee is due by our first meeting, and the second half is due by 6-weeks post-partum. The additional $300 is due at the first meeting for clients doing the entire birth education package.
*Occasionally I partner with another doula for births. Please add $200 for this arrangement.
Flexible payments plans and sliding scale fees are available
I believe anyone who wants doula support deserves it! Please ask.