A Doula is a trained labor assistant.  Her role is to nurture the parents and help create a positive birth experience.

• She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• She is there to help the mother and partner prepare for the birth
• She provides resources, and assistance to the parents in getting the information they need to make informed decisions
• She provides continuous support  for the mother and partner throughout the labor

 As your Doula I will....

• Answer your questions or refer you to someone who can
• Give you tips on exercise, stretching, sleep positioning, etc. to make you more comfortable in your 3rd trimester
• Assist you in writing a Birth Plan or preparing questions for your Prenatal appointments
• Give you unbiased information on decisions you might have to make about induction, c-sections, epidurals, breastfeeding, circumcision, etc. 
• Give you insider tips on what it is really like staying at the hospital 
• Assure you that 'yes, that IS normal'
• Give your partner ideas on how to comfort someone in their 3rd trimester and in labor
• Give you explanations of medical procedures
• Use techniques to keep you focused during labor
• Have techniques to help speed up a slow, or stalled out labor and/or back labor
• Take photos for you
• Support you and your partner in whatever decisions you make
  

     I absolutely do.  I used both narcotics and an epidural when I gave birth to my son and believe everyone has the right to choose what they want.  I also firmly believe in the right of a pregnant Mama to change her mind on any decision at any point! My goal is to help facilitate a birth experience that the parents are happy about. 

What if you're sick?

     If I'm sick or there is another problem with me getting to your birth a backup doula will be in place.  This is someone who I will have lined up before time and you will have a chance to speak with her on the phone, if not visit with her in person.  Payments for doula services will still be made to me, and I will work it out with the backup doula. 

What if the baby comes too quickly? 

     I will do everything in my power to be there well before the baby arrives, but in the very rare circumstance that a baby is born quickly $150 will be deducted from my overall fee.

What if I end up having a scheduled C-section?

     I can still be with you at the hospital in the case of a scheduled C-section- and in some cases accompany you and your partner into the OR.  If this is the case, you will still be charged my full fee.  If you decide to forgo any Doula service for your scheduled C-section and I am not at the hospital $150 will be deducted from my overall fee.

     Absolutely not.  A Doula is there to support both the mother and her partner.  Research shows that when a Doula is present, the mother often feels more connected to her partner.  Read Dads and Doulas.