Birth Doula
Joyful Deliveries
Services
As a Doula, I Do Not:
Free Consultation
The free consultation is basically an interview for us. We will meet at a public place, such as a local coffee shop, and you can ask me questions about my services and we will get to know each other. Making the decision to invite someone to be with your on this special day is something that I do not take lightly. I want you to be completely comfortable with inviting me to help you with the birth of your child before you hire me. If you choose to hire me after this consultation, we will begin the new client paper work and I will schedule you on my calendar for your due date.
2 Prenatal Visits
During these appointments, I will share with you the birth doula curriculum, which will better prepare you for the labor and delivery process as well as will educate you on pain relief techniques. I will also assist you in creating your birth plan by gaining a solid understanding of your desires for birth.
Phone & Email Support
Immediately after you hire me, I will be available to you for support via phone or email. I will schedule you for 37-42 weeks on my calendar for 24/7 support as well as to be available when you labor begins. Babies do not seem to come on their actual due date, so I schedule you for an entire month to ensure that I will be free when your labor begins.
Professional Information
Since I am certified, I am able to provide professional information to you as a tool to help you prepare for the labor and delivery of your baby. We will go over information about what you will experience in labor and techniques on how to cope with pain before your labor begins. I will be able to use my professional information to help you into positions that will help descend baby and move him/her into the best position to be born.
During labor
During your laboring and birthing time, I will provide continuous support that begins as soon as you want it. One of the unique aspects of a doula is the continuous support. There is no shift change and you get exactly who you hire. I provide emotional support and physical comfort measures as well as assist the partner in providing the birthing mom just what she needs. I am open to coming to your home, birthing center, or the hospital of your choosing.
Baby’s first feeding Support
Directly after the birth of your baby, breast feeding should begin to be established. I will stay with you until your baby has fed and you feel comfortable with me leaving, usually about an hour after the birth. If you choose not to breastfeed, I will stay with you until you are comfortable with me leaving.
Perform any clinical tasks
Doulas are NON MEDICAL assistants. I will not preform any clinical tasks including but not limited to, fetal heartbeat, blood pressure, or cervix dilation monitoring.
Make decisions for you
I will be there for you in anyway that you need me to be, but making any decisions regarding the care of yourself or your baby is not something I can do for you. I can, however, explain things to you to help you understand your options.
Speak to the staff on your behalf
I will not speak directly to hospital staff on your behalf. I can, however, speak with you and your partner that will help you understand what the staff are saying to you or what they are asking of you. I will also remind you of all your goals as a way to help you make decisions for yourself.
Project any of my own beliefs onto your experience
I will not ask you about your beliefs and I will not push mine onto you. If you would like to know about my faith, I am happy to share that with you.
Postpartum follow-up visit
After the birth of your baby, I will be in contact with you to make sure things are going good. We will then set up a time where we can meet to review your labor and any concerns you may have. This visit usually lasts 2 hours.