What you can expect when you hire me as your Birth Doula.

This is a summary of what I do, but know that each family will have a unique and tailored experience. Prenatally, we meet to discuss your hopes, wishes, and fears and then I accommodate everything I have learned about your family to help make your birth experience as positive and satisfying as possible.

With me, I bring my experience as a nurse working with families in labor, birth, & postpartum, as well as my training through DONA International. In addition, I have completed a vast amount of training in newborn care and lactation. All of this experience comes wrapped in a bow especially for you! I am hired by you and work for you, not your healthcare provider or hospital.

My goal is to build a relationship with you and your family that facilitates open communication to address all aspects of your birth experience from start to finish.

Prenatally

Explore details of your birth vision, discuss the birth process, help you and your partner prepare for labor and birth, practice labor comfort techniques, answer your questions, explore any fears, help you prepare to feed your baby, explore topics related to newborn care and the postpartum experience physically and mentally. Although we cover a vast amount of birth related topics I still strongly encourage every family to consider a prenatal class.  

During Labor

Communication through text/phone during early labor. Continuous support in-person from the time we decide together you need me (whether coming to your home, or meeting at the birth place). Hands on support techniques like assisting with positions to aid in comfort, massage, counter pressure etc. Informational support including answering your questions with up to date, evidence-based information, as well as helping you advocate for yourself in giving informed consent. Support for the partner includes giving breaks, suggesting ways to support the birthing person, and answering questions. The birthing partner matters too, and their experience is part of my focus as well.

During Birth

Continuous support right through to the birth of your beautiful babe. Depending on the needs of the birthing person and family I can help suggest positions for pushing, protect the birth space, or help family members assist the birthing person during this important moment. Unforeseen circumstances can cause you to have to drift from your birth plan and I am here to offer calm reassurance and help you get the information you need to make an informed decision about your birth. If you’d like photos, I can capture the moment if you so choose (I am not a professional photographer).

Postpartum

After welcoming your baby earthside, I will stay with your family for a few hours until you feel ready for quiet time. I can assist you with learning to feed your baby, answer questions about newborn/self care, and help you get settled. A few weeks after I like to meet and check in so we can talk about your experience. Up to 6 weeks following the birth I stay in close contact with my clients depending on their needs/wishes.