I’ll Be There For You
From the time we sign a contract, my priority is you. This means I am available to you via phone call, text, and email to answer any questions or concerns you may have throughout your pregnancy. Prenatal home visits provide us an opportunity to get to know each other, discuss your birth preferences, and practice comfort measures that can be used during labor. Postpartum visits allow your doula to make sure you are adjusting well, help guide you through your recovery, and offer additional resources that may be helpful in the postpartum period.
Support From Your Doula
Preparing for childbirth can sometimes seem daunting. You can help ease uncertainties by forming a birth team that will support your wishes while giving birth safely, and encouraging you to remember your own strength and ability.
But how can I prepare for birth? Let me help you practice:
Body work and exercises to help physically balance your pelvis for labor, and help you achieve a more comfortable pregnancy.
Preparing the mind and body to surrender
Communicating your birth preferences to your provider prior to labor
Understanding the signs of labor, stages of labor, what to expect in your recovery
Laboring at home and knowing when it is time to go to the hospital or birth center, or knowing when it is time to call your midwife
Positions to promote the descent and optimal position of your baby
Comfort techniques, and guiding your birth partner through breathing and relaxation techniques, massage, counter pressure, meditation, visualization, vocalization, and the use of a TENs Unit and water therapy
Navigating decisions you need to make for your baby regarding feeding preferences, medications, and immunizations, and what to expect in the first days of life
What comes as a truly important aspect of this journey is the ability to lean on your doula for comfort and calm reassurance through any unexpected changes and events in your birth. Your doula will remind you that a positive birth experience is still attainable while focusing on the health and safety of you and your tiny human.
What to expect on the day
Labor progresses when one feels safe, loved, and cared for. Setting the tone in your birth space can truly help with that by creating a warm atmosphere with dim lights, essential oils, music, massage, and goodies to sip on and eat. Together, we will focus on relaxation, rhythm, and ritual to facilitate managing the intense sensations of labor, while moving you through various laboring positions to encourage labor progress. I pride myself in working well with your entire birth team, through collaborative, personalized care. I love helping partners feel connected to the birth experience by guiding them on how they can be present with you, physically and emotionally. Once baby is born, we will help you navigate the magic of the golden hour by encouraging skin to skin and assisting with feedings, handling baby, and family bonding. This level of support will help you feel your voice was heard, your wishes were respected, and with sense of great accomplishment.
Benefits to Mother & Baby
Having a doula present at your birth benefits not only you, but your baby too!
Birthing parents report decreased pain, stress, and levels
Decreased length of labor, fewer birth complications, and less need for assisted delivery via forceps or vacuum
Increased chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth
Birthing person reports feeling more empowered to communicate their needs and wishes to their care team
Increased Newborn Apgar Scores
Decreased incidence of Low Birth Weight
Birthing person more likely to describe their birth experience with feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment