"Doula" is an ancient Greek word meaning "woman who serves." Doulas support mothers and their partners through the prenatal period, during birth, and
sometimes postpartum.
My birth doula package includes the following:
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Two prenatal meetings (about 1.5-2 hours in length each) in addition to the initial meeting/interview
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On call support two weeks before and two weeks after mama's due date, including 24-hour access to me by phone, text, or email
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Continuous labor support once the mother goes into labor, both at home and at the hospital
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Stay on-site with the mother for 1-2 hours after the baby arrives
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One postpartum visit
These are some of the ways I support expectant mothers :
Prenatally
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Help create a birth plan
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Address any fears or anxieties of the expectant mother and her partner
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Answer basic questions and offer reassurance
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Discuss comfort measures including music, positioning, and touch, and practice those
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Enact a "mock" labor to help the mother visualize what to expect (or discuss what to expect during labor in detail)
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I am willing to attend one prenatal doctor/midwife appointment with the mother, either in replacement of one of our prenatal meetings, or in addition to the
two prenatal meetings (for an additional fee)
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I can provide a Mother Blessing ceremony (also known as a Blessingway), as a complement to any baby showers you have planned, for an additional fee. This
ceremony is highly personalized and a way to honor your passage into motherhood. See the Mother Blessing page or Articles page for more information
on Mother Blessing ceremonies.
During Labor
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Help a mother and her partner decide when to head to the hospital
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Help provide comfort while the mother labors at home
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Offer comfort measures in the hospital to avoid pain medication
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Support the mother physically and emotionally during labor, including massage, encouraging alternative labor positions, and "cheerleading"
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Gently remind the mother of her wishes if unexpected circumstances arise, and encourage the mother to remember her informed consent questions
and her own personal boundaries
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For epidural users, help the mother stay comfortable and move during labor to keep the baby moving and in an optimal position; during pushing phase, provide guidance to help the mother labor in the best possible
positions to open the pelvis and avoid hip, pelvis, and perineum damage
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If a C section is required, provide support for the mother after she leaves surgery while the partner is attending to the baby. If there is no partner available, typically hospitals do allow one support person in the delivery room, and therefore (with physician permission) I am able to attend a c-section in place of a partner.
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Take snapshots, if requested
Postpartum
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I can help you write your birth story, or just provide you with my birth notes for you to write yourself
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During our postpartum visit, we will talk about the birth experience, I can answer any questions you may have about the birth, parenting,
babies, breastfeeding, etc., and I will provide any further support you need
A DOULA IS NOT
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A medical care provider
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A medical adviser
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Someone who speaks *for* the mother or her partner