Birth

“Birth is an opportunity to transcend. To rise above what we are accustomed to, reach deeper inside ourselves than we are familiar with, and to see not only what we are truly made of, but the strength we can access in and through Birth.” –Marcie Macari

   Benefits of having a trained doula:

25% shorter labor 50% reduction in oxytocin use
30% reduction in analgesic use
34% reduction in forceps delivery
45% reduction in cesarean births 
60% reduction in epidural requests
 

From The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus

As Your Doula I Will…

Assist you and your partner with planning and carrying out your ideal birth.

Provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding your childbirth options, ensuring that you have all the information you may need to make informed decisions about your care before, during and after the birth.

Provide steady emotional support and reassurance to you and your partner throughout the birth experience.

Help facilitate labor progress by offering suggestions for positions, relaxation, visualization, shower/bath and rhythmic breathing and movement.

Provide hands-on comfort in ways such as Reiki, reflexology, acupressure, massage, counterpressure, hot and cold therapy, aromatherapy, birth ball and rebozo.

Holding a supportive environment so that your partner is able to focus their attention to loving and supporting the laboring mother.

My Doula Package Includes:

One free, no obligation consultation so we can get to know one another and discuss your individual birthing needs and preferences.

Access to my lending library of books and DVDs related to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborns.

Two prenatal home visits.  We will discuss what your birth vision looks like, resources and information to help you achieve this birth, assistance in creating a birth plan, discuss visualization and relaxation techniques, advice on baby gear and how to plan and prepare for a smooth postpartum.

Two Reiki sessions.  
(The Hartford Hospital in Connecticut showed that Reiki used during pregnancy on a regular basis reduced pain during pregnancy by 78%, stress and anxiety by 94%, and nausea and morning sickness by 80% after Reiki sessions.  The study also showed that a woman’s quality of sleep was improved by 86% when Reiki sessions were included during pregnancy. Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) therapy is a form of energy healing that helps the body use its own ability to balance itself.  It involves light touch at certain points along the body and is designed to promote stress reduction, relaxation and healing.)

Alternative relief measures for morning sickness, heartburn, sciatica, and other discomforts of pregnancy.

Birth and nutritional counseling, to enhance your birthing preparations (if desired).

Unlimited prenatal telephone contact from 9am to 2pm is available.  Urgent questions are welcomed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

24-hour on-call labor support starting two weeks before and after your "due" date.

Uninterrupted support throughout your labor and birth and immediate postpartum.  Labor support starting either at home or if you prefer at the hospital/birthing center, until 1-2 hours after delivery.

Pictures of your birth and new family postpartum (if desired).

Breastfeeding support: assisting you in getting your baby properly latched on and breastfeeding comfortably.

One postpartum home visit, within the first week of giving birth, to see how your new family is doing, discuss your feelings about the birth, provide breastfeeding assistance as needed and instruction and techniques on how to wear your baby using a wrap or sling.

Postpartum support via phone or email for the first 6 months.

For 2015, the fee for my doula package is $1400.  
The payment contract is as follows:
1. $700 as a non-refundable retainer, due when you hire me as your doula, and 2. The final balance ($700) due by 37 weeks of your pregnancy (which can be broken up into 2 payments of $350 at each prenatal).