"We have a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong."  ~ Laura Stavoe Harm

It's YOUR Birth

Having caregivers you trust in a place that you feel safe are the biggest indicators for a positive birth experience.

A birth doula provides continuous support for you and your partner. She does not replace your partner. In fact, partners are encouraged to participate as much as they are comfortable with. You share an intimate connection that no doula can ever or would ever hope to replace. That bond is respected.

I recently came across an excellent blog post that explains our role in relation to mom and partner, you can read it here

A doula can help you to feel safe in your birthplace by communicating gently and respectfully, helping you make it your own (lighting, decorations, etc. if you are away from home), working around necessary interventions if needed, and being a calm presence in general.

While a doula can help you have a better experience, she cannot "save" you from caregivers that are not a good fit for you. If you are unsure about your caregiver, I recommend asking a lot of questions, and if you aren't satisfied with the answers - explore your options. Even if you decide to stay with your current provider, you will have the peace of mind knowing you made the best decision you can right now.

So what exactly does a doula DO? She provides physical, emotional and informational support. See the section below on Birth for a more detailed explanation.

Services Included

2-3 Prenatal Visits

This is where I get to know you, what your preferences are and provide evidence-based information if you are still deciding. We'll go over common interventions for moms and babies, coping techniques and labor/delivery positions, along with any questions and concerns. If I don't know the answer I will find someone who does. I can recommend books, classes and other resources based on your needs. Sometimes one of these visits includes going to a prenatal appointment with your midwife/doctor, if you so desire. We can meet in your home or at an agreed upon location (coffee house, park, etc.). These appointments usually last about 1-2 hours, and partners are welcomed and encouraged to attend. 

Birth

I go on call for your birth starting 2 weeks prior to your estimated due date (EDD) and remain on call until the baby is born. This means I always have my cell phone with me and I do not travel more than 1 hour away. For the birth, I usually join you when you are in active labor, or just before if needed. Before then close phone contact keeps me in the loop and allows me to plan ahead a bit. It takes me about an hour to get to you (at home or hospital/birth center) from the time you call to say "Come now!". I stay through the birth of the baby and then for 1-2 hours postpartum to make sure you are doing well and are taken care of, and to provide initial breast-feeding support if necessary. Photography services for the moment of birth and afterward are available.

During labor and birth, I provide physical, emotional and informational support. Physical support means helping you change positions, massage, acupressure, getting you and your partner food/drink, applying warm/cool compresses, etc. Emotional support means believing in you and your baby, encouragement, help refocusing if you feel overwhelmed, validating feelings and reassurance when things are tough but normal. Informational support means giving accurate information on interventions/procedures, reminding you of your birth plan and discreetly signaling you/your partner if caregivers are about to deviate from it. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions of your care provider and review your options.

I do not have the proper training for and therefore do not perform any medical procedures such as taking blood pressure, administering IVs, internal exams, etc. 

2-3 Postpartum Visits

These are usually done starting the day after birth if possible in the hospital setting, and within a few days after birth in the home/birth center setting. I'll be checking in to admire your baby, make sure you are getting as much rest and nourishment as possible in those early weeks, help or locate extra help for breast-feeding concerns, and process the birth with you when you are ready. Another visit around 2 weeks as well as a visit or phone call at 6 weeks postpartum are also included.

Areas served

I work within a hour radius of Sterling Hts, MI. Basically anywhere in Macomb County, eastern Oakland County and northern Wayne County. 

Fees

Starting in September 2010, my fee for the prenatals, birth & postnatal visits will be $600.

$300 is due when you decide to hire me as your doula, and we sign your birth contract. The other $300 is due 2 weeks before your EDD, or within 1 week after the birth.

If you choose to add photography services, the total fee is $650. See the Birth Photography page for more information!