Birth Well Doula

The services below describe a typical doula-client relationship and what you can expect from me if hired as your labor doula. In a nutshell, labor doula services includes: pre-natal meetings to discuss your birth, 24 hours on call during your due “month,” resources and information as requested, continuous presence/advocacy through your labor and the birth of your baby, initial breastfeeding assistance, and invaluable emotional support throughout the entire journey.

Prenatal Meetings
~ At least 2 prenatal meetings
~First consultation meeting to review services and contract, with no obligation
~Provide folder of information about having a doula and other birth preparation issues, including previous client references to call
~Second meeting, once contracted, to learn more about each other & how to uniquely serve you
~Support for your desired birth experience
~Provide information & resources specific to your pregnancy and birth goals
~Birth Plan consultation

24 hour on-call availability
~From your 38th week to delivery
~Available by phone during the day and by email for routine questions
~Call any time 24 hours a day when you think you are in labor
~Available at any hour to meet you once you are in labor and need me

Support throughout labor and birth
~Provide support in early labor
~Suggestions for activites or positions to help labor progress
~Help to decide when to go to the hospital
~Help with breathing and relaxation techniques
~Massage and acupressure for relaxation
~Suggest labor positions and comfort measures
~Lots of encouragement and reassurance
~Support for the woman’s partner
~Encourage nutrition and fluids in early labor
~Help for partner to be of best support to birthing mother
~Help the environment be one in which the woman feels secure and confident
~Provide information or explanation of medical and birth options during labor
~Work cooperatively with the health care team
~Take pictures or videos if desired, on my digital or your camera(s)
~Assist with establishing initial breastfeeding

Postpartum Visit
It is the mother’s choice whether to have this visit or not, and I leave it up to the mother to call me and schedule a time. At the visit I will, of course, admire the baby, talk about breastfeeding progress, and address questions the parents may have about their newborn. It is also helpful to review what happened at the birth. I provide a written birth story, which can be mailed or emailed if there is no postpartum visit.

Fees

The fee for the above services is $485.

Referrals

Referrals are given at our first meeting. See page “Why Hire a Doula” now to read some comments from past clients.