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 Birth Doula Services

Labor and Birth Support

Birth is a tremendous experience and a journey into the unknown. Many couples find the presence of an experienced woman knowledgeable about normal birth a comforting and reassuring presence during their labor and delivery. Women who provide professional labor support are called "doulas."

 

Studies show that laboring mothers who have trained continuous support in labor experience:

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  • Fewer complications

  • Less likely to have a cesarean

  • Decreased use of Pitocin (artificial oxytocin used for induction and augmentation of labor)

  • Decreased use of medicated pain relief

  • A shorter labor

  • Less likely to have negative feelings about their birth experience

  • Higher APGAR score for baby (which means baby is more stable post birth and less likely to have complications or be in the NICU)

  • More likely to breastfeed

 

In my childbirth classes, I teach expectant fathers/partners the skills of being a continuous support person for the birthing mother. Many couples find working with a doula helps them feel more at ease and confident by providing them both with the right level of support they need to have the best outcome.

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If you are taking my Bradley Method course, I do offer doula support for couples in my classes. The weeks spent in class provide a great opportunity to get to know each other. This familiarity allows for a deep level to trust to be present during the birthing process. I can support you at a hospital, free-standing birth center, or home birth.

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If you are not in my classes, I support births that are planned to take place in the home, birth center or hospital. I take a limited number of births outside my class families. If this is your first birth or first vaginal birth, preparing for your birth in some way (ie. independent childbirth classes/study outside of a hospital birth class) is necessary for me to work with you. I look forward to hearing about your plans for preparing for your baby and birth!

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“Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula. A Cochrane meta-analysis of 12 trials and more than 15,000 women demonstrated that the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery (111). Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.”

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—The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Work with Me

Nurtured Nest Doula Package
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Questions?
Considering hiring a doula?
Wondering if we are a good fit?
Let's get together!

Please fill out this form and I'll contact you to set up time for us to meet and get to know each other
 

Pregnancy Support and Birth Preparation

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  • If you are in my class: 1 - 2 meetings in your home, or other location of choice

  • If you are not in my class: 2 - 3 meetings in your home, or other location of choice

  • Discuss your goals for your birth, as well as any fears or concerns

  • Assistance with creating your birth plan & determining your priorities

  • Assess preparations for postpartum and breastfeeding

  • Based on needs and preferences, we can go over:

    • Relaxation practice & guided meditation

    • Prenatal bonding and communicating with your baby

    • Practice comfort measures such as position, rebozo

    • Spinning Babies® exercises

  • Access to birth and breastfeeding related resources

  • Unlimited phone and email support

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Labor and Birth Support

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  • On call from 38 weeks until your baby is born

  • Emotional, physical, and informational support during labor and birth, and initial breastfeeding support 

  • Encouragement and reassurance for partner so that he/she can be more fully confident in his/her abilities and engaged

  • Help to create a calm and safe birth environment for the mother/baby and partner whether in home, hospital, or birth center

  • Discussion of any proposed interventions so informed decisions can be made; guidance with communicating your choices with medical care providers

  • Use of comfort and labor techniques

  • Watch over your "Golden Hour" and give initial breastfeeding support

  • Labor and birth photography, if desired

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Postpartum Care and Support

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  • 1st postpartum visit, preferably at 3 - 5 days after the birth, to make sure breastfeeding is going well

  • 2nd postpartum visit within 2 - 6 weeks to reflect on the birth and check in on breastfeeding

  • Breastfeeding support

  • Make sure everyone is integrating well in new family roles

  • Additional resources, if needed

  • E-mail and phone support through 6 weeks postpartum

 

I am able to customize my doula services to meet your needs. What every mama and baby requires to be prepared and supported is different. I am interested in who you are and what you need.

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Here's a downloadable outline of my doula services:

 

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My Role

As a doula I see my role as an experienced guide helping you and your partner meet your new parenting roles with confidence. I help create a birthing space that feels safe, so you can birth your baby with minimal interference in a calm, positive, and loving birthing environment.  Your baby also has experiences and feelings, so I like to include baby during pregnancy preparations, help you strengthen your connection with your baby, and to communicate with your baby throughout the labor and birth.

 

A good doula balances coaching, guidance, and support with giving the birthing mother (and couple) space when needed. I am not the star of your birth - you are. I am a background role and in that context I want your birth to be both supported and also a great opportunity for family bonding. The relationship between mother, baby, and father/partner is foremost in my mind - my job is to help make this a positive and integrated experience for you as well as enhance the opportunities for the deepening and strengthening of your connections to each other.

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I work with an open mind, warm heart, and calm presence. I look forward to supporting you!

As a doula, I can provide the following:

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  • Help with preparations during your pregnancy for your labor and birth, as well as postpartum.

  • Emotional support for the birthing mother

  • Non-medical physical support and comfort measures: relaxation, breathing, movement, position, counter-pressure techniques, aromatherapy, rebozo, Spinning Babies® techniques

  • Support for the partner, as well as an extra set of hands to help out

  • Education and assistance in determining your priorities for the birth and postpartum

  • Clarifying information and options so that you can make your own choices for an optimal birth

  • Facilitating communication between the mother and her care providers

  • A bridge of support from pregnancy through postpartum

Doulas can provide many wonderful benefits.

There are some things a doula does not do:

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  • A doula is not a medical professional. I do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions.

  • I do not perform clinical tasks (like doing vaginal exams or monitoring the fetal heart rate)

  • I do not make decisions for you. I help you understand what your options are and what it is you really want.

  • I do not judge you for any decisions you make. Life can sometimes be complex. My job is to support you, your partner, and your baby

  • I do not take over the role of the husband or partner. I see my role as supporting the birth partner and helping him/her be more engaged.

  • I do not deliver your baby.  Birthing your baby is your job under the watchful care of your chosen health care provider/birth attendant

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