experience enables me to offer real physical relief to the laboring mother. I am extremely pro-dad/partner and am focused on helping dad/partner, help mom. My job as a doula is to empower you and your partner so you have the best labor possible.
I provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, give massage, guide relaxation, and help with positioning and other comfort techniques.
Just as important as what I will do is what I will not do. As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, vaginal examinations, fetal heart checks, or take blood pressure. I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need to make informed choices but the decisions to have or not to have a procedure must be yours alone. I will also remind you if something proposed is a departure from your birth plan.
I do not speak to the medical staff in your place regarding matters where decisions must be made. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you and your partner will speak on your behalf to the medical staff.
What you can expect
I prefer to meet with you and your partner at least twice before your birth, if possible, usually at your home. The first visit is to get acquainted, discuss your priorities, your hopes for this birth, and answer any questions or concerns you might have in hiring a Doula to attend your birth. The following are a few things you may expect from me:
- assistance in drafting an informed birth plan
- 24 hour on-call beginning two (2) weeks before your due date
- back-up doula in case of illness or emergency
- early labor support as needed in home or hospital
- provide information on childbirth education classes in your community
- complement or supplement information received in those classes
- phone contact to answer any questions before birth
- post-partum visit and phone contact
- constant care, attention and support once active labor has begun
- maintain a calm birth experience
- breastfeeding support and counseling or referrals, if needed
- parenting and newborn information and referrals, if needed or requested
- reduced rate prenatal massages, postpartum massages and Infant Massage Classes
Quotes from Doula Clients
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to help us welcome our new baby girl into the world. Her birth was an amazing experience for our whole family and we are grateful for all the advice, insight and assistance you gave us during the pas few months and at her birth.” – Lynley
“You were such a gift! Having you by my side before and after
our baby's birth was wonderful. You did a phenomenal job. Thank you so much. The birth wouldn’t have been the same without your special, glowing energy.” – Stacie
“We wanted to write to tell you many thanks for all you have done. We think the birth experience went as well as it did because of your quick ideas and your support. We hope to repeat the experience in the future and hope you can be a part of it again.” – Misty & John
“Kelly & I cannot express how grateful we are to have had you there with us through the baby’s birth experience. You truly made things easier and more enjoyable for us and our families. Your children are blessed to have you guiding the way. Having you there has proven to be a priceless experience and I’m personally blown away how influential you were able to be.” - Matthew
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