Explanation of Doula Services

Prenatal Visit:

• One prenatal home visit with your primary doula to discuss your birthing preferences, individual needs, concerns, review coping techniques, and to explain or clarify options in labor and birth.
  • This meeting should be scheduled sometime before/around your 36th week (for a singleton birth) or before/around your 34th week (if expecting multiples).
  • Our prenatal visit may last 1-2 hours or more, depending on the client’s needs.
  • Successfully scheduling this meeting will depend on your availability, the amount of time allotted from signing the agreement and the birth, and/or may be subject to cancellation and rescheduling due to my attendance at another clients birth.
• This session includes, but is not limited to:
  • Exploring and discussing your priorities and any fears or concerns you may have
  • Explanation of the birth process, medical procedures and medications
  • Sharing what kind of comfort measures I can provide and help you with
  • Creating and/or reviewing your birthing preferences (aka Birth Plan); I will support your decisions 100%
  • Working with your partner to understand and better support your relationship during the labor and birth
  • Referrals to community resources relating to pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, infant care, breastfeeding support and other family services

Labor and Birth Support:

• Availability by phone, text and email during pregnancy and immediate postpartum to answer questions, provide support and referrals.
  • Call or text during office hours to address non-emergency, general questions, and/or updates (email anytime)
  • Office hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am-5:00pm)
  • Call or text anytime (24hrs/day) if you believe you may be in labor or in the event of an emergency
• On-call support 2 weeks before your due date (except for unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to, attending another birth, personal family illness, or tragedy)
• Provide you with backup doula support if needed
  • Backup doula will also be on call during this time
• Continuous attendance and support during your labor and birth (except for brief breaks to eat or use the restroom);
  • This support generally begins at the onset of active labor or when the parents have requested my support (please allow 2 hours for arrival time)
• Provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner; make suggestions for labor progress, and assistance with pain-coping techniques such as relaxation, massage, acupressure, breathing techniques, thermal therapy, positioning, visualization, music, etc.
• Objectively explain suggested procedures including their pros and cons for each
• Remaining with you 1 hour postpartum to maintain continuous mother focused support during the delivery of the placenta, non-critical measures for your baby, and help with initial latch-on and breastfeeding
• In the event of an unexpected or surprise delivery of the baby (for example delivering at home when initial arrangements have been made for a hospital birth) I will call 911 for assistance in order to secure a safe and healthy delivery for the mom and baby.

Postpartum Support:

• One home visit to see how you and baby are doing, review your birth experience, answer any questions, and offer support with breastfeeding
  • This session includes, but is not limited to:
    • Discussing postpartum comfort measures
    • Explanation of newborn characteristics and newborn care
    • Patience and a listening ear
  • This visit is usually scheduled within the first 2 weeks after the birth and lasts 1-2 hrs
  • Successfully scheduling this meeting will depend on your availability and willingness to meet
• Client will continue to receive postpartum support via phone, text and/or email for the first 2 weeks following the birth (answer questions and offer support)
• Complimentary photographs may be taken of the family and/or baby at the postpartum visit
  These photos are professionally taken and edited through Photoshop, printed on archival paper and mailed back to the family

As your Doula, I am committed to providing non-medical support and advocacy before, during, and after your birth. I strive to provide the humanistic, personal care that most women desire during your whole birth experience. Having said that, it is important that my clients understand what my limitations are.

 

Restrictions:

As a Doula I DO NOT…

• Perform clinical tasks such as taking blood pressure measurements, fetal heart checks, or vaginal exams. I am there to provide physical comfort, emotional support, and evidence based information (not opinions).
• Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision and will remind you if there is a departure from your birthing preferences.
• Communicate to the clinical staff directly on your behalf regarding matters where decisions are being made. I will discuss with you your concerns and inform you of your options. It is your responsibility as the patient to inform the medical staff of your health care decisions.

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