What do I do as your doula?
As your doula, I will meet with you for at least one prenatal visit, be with you for your entire birth, and then again for at least one postnatal visit. In the prenatal visit, aside from getting to know each other better, I will offer you resources and educational material. We will discuss your pregnancy and how you wish to give birth. I will give you information on the most up to date and evidence-based research on labor, birth, birthing positions, and the pros and cons of all medical interventions. My job as your doula is to provide you with educational materials, but how you decide to give birth is ultimately up to you. I will not judge any decisions you make about YOUR birth. I can also help you go through and write a birth plan, if you desire.
During labor, you will contact me and — depending on the situation — I will either meet you at your home or at the birthing center/hospital. The physical and emotional support I offer during labor can vary with each birth, but can include: a friendly distraction, physical touch/massage/use of a rebozo, acupressure, aromatherapy, help with physical positions that encourage labor to progress, verbal affirmations /encouragement. I can help support your partner by taking some pressure off their shoulders, teaching some comfort measures to help you, and allowing them to be really present for you during your birth (at no point will I “take over” and exclude your partner–I know a lot about birth, and they know a lot about you–which can be an amazing partnership!) . Doulas are often called the “keepers of the birth space”, and I will do my best to make sure that there is a climate of calm and confidence in your birth space. No matter what happens during a birth, a woman should always feel empowered and positive about her experience, and that is my ultimate goal.
I will stay awhile after birth to help you feel confident establishing breastfeeding, if that is your plan. In our postnatal visit, we will review the birth and how you felt and are feeling. I will make sure you are adjusting to motherhood and will offer more resources and emotional comfort.
Please contact me directly for my rates. I believe that all people are entitled to the birth that they desire. Financial restraints should not keep a woman from the support she needs and wants during pregnancy and birth. Because of these beliefs, we can arrange to barter goods and/or services, if you cannot afford my fee.