What does a doula do?

Each doula is unique in her own business and ideology of the birth process. And each client is also unique in her needs!

As your birth doula, I will work with you and your partner to discover what kind of birth you desire, and do everything I can to help you experience it. This includes writing a birth plan to reflect your wants and needs for your birth.

As your birth doula I will:

• Answer any phone calls or emails during your pregnancy
• Set up at least two prenatal visit with you and your partner (this can also include going to a doctor or midwife appointment with you)
• Remain on call for two weeks before and two weeks after your due date
• Provide a back-up doula in the event I am unable to attend your birth
• Help you labor at home
• Provide suggestions on positioning and movement
• Offer information on procedures and protocol for you to make an educated decision
• Stay throughout your labor, my shift does not end
• Provide support to your partner
• Stay until breastfeeding is established
• Follow up with a postpartum visit
• Write your birth story as a gift to you and your family
• Remain available for you to help with any questions after your baby arrives!

As your postpartum doula, I will also come up with ways to make the transition back into your home the smoothest possible.

As your postpartum doula I will:

• Offer ideas for baby soothing methods
• Show you baby massage techniques
• Provide information for baby care and breastfeeding support
• Help with baby laundry and organization
• Give you time to nap, eat a meal or shower!
• Play with older children, or help with the baby while you get some one-on-one time with your older children.
• Provide some companionship
• Answer any questions you have about postpartum topics such as: depression, milk storage, nursing, sleeping, scheduling, organization, cloth diapering, play groups and other local resources for new moms

2009 Fees and information

Birth services:

$450 -- Includes two prenatal visits, the birth, and one postpartum visit

A nonrefundable retainer ($225) is required for me to put your due date on my calendar. I request the rest of the payment at our last postpartum meeting (or a month before your due date).

I do work on a sliding scale, and can also offer a payment plan. I am very flexible, so please discuss payment with me!

Postpartum services:

$20/hour -- Initially, at least four hours need to be scheduled, with payment in advance. ***10% discount on postpartum services if I was your birth doula.

Why use a doula?

What is a doula, you ask? Check out the info from http://www.dona.org/ or below.

What is a doula?

Giving birth to a baby is so much more than a physical phenomenon; it engages parents-to-be in a transformational experience, a key life event full of emotion and meaning. A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics.

DONA International doulas make the difference

Our doulas are educated and knowledgeable about childbirth and the postpartum experience. They are advocates and a listening ear for birthing mothers, as well as facilitators to her partner. When a family goes home with a new baby, a postpartum doula supports every member and the family unit as a whole.DONA International doulas are educated to work within evidence-based standards of practice. The skills that they develop are medically proven to make a true difference in the experience of birth. A DONA International doula’s presence at birth improves outcomes for mother and baby. In the postpartum period, a doula’s guidance can empower and encourage new parents, inspiring self-confidence in parenting.

Why use a doula?

DONA International doulas mother the mother

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch; positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

• Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications


• Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience


• Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans


• Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for


• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics


• Have greater success with breastfeedingHave greater self-confidence


• Have less postpartum depression