Birth Doula Services

I am a doula on YOUR side- whatever your choices, whatever your values- I’m there to serve you and your family during this exciting and precious time!

Childbirth is something that most women do only a few times in their lives. Each experience is unique and may bring with it new questions, concerns and needs. Every woman deserves to have a healthy, supported delivery- doulas are labor support professionals with expertise in physiologic and medically assisted births. According to Dr. Rebecca Dekker of EvidencedBasedBirth.com:

When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women experienced a:

• 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
• 28% decrease in the risk of C-section
• 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
• 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
• 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
• 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” ~Marie Mongan

In March of 2014, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in conjunction with the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine issued a joint statement in which they recommended ways to prevent cesarean deliveries. They wrote:

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. Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.

Yes- your OB and Perinatologist know that doulas have a positive, clinical impact on your labor and delivery!

Statistics like these show the quantifiable benefits of doulas- but there are important emotional benefits as well. Families who hire doulas report feeling safer, more informed and better heard during their birth experiences. And partners LOVE doulas! I help your partner understand how to best support you during labor, delivery and after your baby is born. I give your birth team emotional and practical support as well, helping them find time to eat, rest and be as involved with the birth of your baby as you desire. I also assist in prenatal birth-visioning. This is where you and I work together to discover what kind of birth experience is important to you and then we think of ways to help you meet your birth goals.

Visit this blog post that describes more about my view of doula service and check out come testimonials here!

Contact me for a free interview/consult. My basic doula package includes:

• 2 prenatal appointments for birth planning and coping technique rehearsal
  
• educational and emotional support by text/phone/email from date of hire (9am to 9pm for non-emergent needs)
  
• on-call service beginning at 38 weeks
• emotional, informational and physical support during labor & birth of your baby
• assistance with your first breastfeeding session if applicable.

**Cost: $700 (Offering Discounts for homebirths and VBAC clients!)

**There are some reports of families being reimbursed for doula care by the insurance companies after the baby’s birth. I am happy to help you pursue this option. Payment would be made in full and I will provide you with a coded receipt and sample reimbursement request letter. There is no guarantee of reimbursement, but it may be a possibility worth pursuing!

Need more ideas about how to pay for a doula? Check out this link!