What’s a Doula?

So glad you asked. Here is the way I see it mom knows her body and baby, dad knows his partner, and a doula knows childbirth and together they make a dynamite team. As a doula, it is my mission to make sure that you are empowered with education, resources, coping mechanisms, the risks and benefits of interventions, as well as understanding your rights concerning informed consent. My goal is to help you and your partner walk through the whole process with peace and confidence. The truth is that doula care is customized to you and what you need at the moment.

The first thing doula packages entail is prenatal visits. During these visits, we will get to know each other so that on the big day everyone is comfortable. We will go over coping mechanisms for birth, and different birthing position options that will allow you and baby to work together for faster and smoother labor, and I will assist you in creating a birth plan.

During labor, I am continually analyzing the situation to discern what you need at the moment and how I can assist. Sometimes that looks like getting you water, hip squeezes, counter pressure, and verbal encouragement. I am also aware that there are times when I need to give you and your partner space and I respect that too. I strive to go above and beyond to serve my clients and help them preserve their energy during labor because the first arms that should embrace the baby are yours, Mom. I wanna hold your arms when you are exhorted so you and Daddy (special support person) can focus solely on holding and caring for your beautiful baby.

My ultimate goal as your birth doula is to help you have a beautiful birth that you remember fondly for the rest of your life. I am a big fan of your birth plan no matter what it is because it’s yours and I will support you every step of the way. There are never any guarantees with birth that everything goes as planned. However, as your doula, I will do my best to help you navigate those hurdles in the moment so that you and your partner can make decisions regarding interventions with peace and clarity.

Immediately after baby arrives I usually step back and allow you and your partner to take in the moment and let your care providers tend to you and baby. However, if you need something I am definitely all there. I usually stay around two hours. I like to be sure mom, dad, and baby are settled and that mom has been able to establish a successful latch if she is planning to nurse baby.

Within the first couple of weeks following birth, I will come over to your house for a two-hour postpartum visit. During this visit, we’ll talk about how the birth went and how you feel about it. Additionally, I will check in on how things are going with feeding, sleeping, and adjusting to life with baby. I can recommend more resources and support based on your needs. I am contractually on call for six weeks after your birth to be a resource for questions and concerns. But in actuality shoot me a text, give me a call, and say hi in the grocery store for the rest of your life. I’m a really friendly person. Mom life can be rough, something I know all to well.

My goal is to help all my clients have a graceful birth. I know, I know, I know, Hollywood makes birth out to be anything but beautiful and graceful. The truth is birth does not have to be frantic and scary. Every birth story is different and my goal is to help you make your story what you want it to be. Sometimes scary things happen but as your doula, I am there to bring calm and peace to your birth space allowing you and your partner to make an informed decision. It is a story you will carry in your heart for the rest of your life. I would love to help you and your partner write your story together and walk it out with confidence and peace.