There are many prenatal care options and ways to give birth. I encourage you to ask your providers questions and explore the various options to be able to choose the type of birth that is right for you. It is important that you feel safe and comfortable with your choices. It is your childbearing right to have access to accurate information so that you can make decisions in your care and birth, and I can facilitate this process for you.

I serve to complement the health care provider's medical expertise and the support of your birth partner, if you have one.

The earlier in your pregnancy that you hire a Doula, the better. The more a Doula gets to know you and your partner, the better she can support your needs and you can benefit from her experience. Some Doulas are hired at the beginning of the first trimester, while others hire one during the last month of pregnancy. It is never too late to decide to have a doula.

As a Doula, What I Do and Do Not Do

Birth Doula Package

Birth Plan Consultation

Information Binder & Teaching Sheets

Will Insurance Pay?

Methods of Payment Accepted

More About Doulas

What I Do and Do Not Do

As a Doula, I do:

• allow you, the mother, to define my doula role based on your needs.
• support your choices, regardless of my personal views.
• help you prepare a birth plan.
• promote evidence-based care as the standard for all women and babies.
• provide you with information on the medical evidence for or against any practice, to the extent desired by you.
• encourage you to consult medical caregivers on any areas of medical concern.
• facilitate communication between the laboring mother and her support team (health care providers, partner, extended family.)
• recognize that you may choose care that is not evidence-based and support you in the informed choice.
• emphasize tools and skills, including those in research, evaluation, assertiveness, communication, and decision-making (not just providing passive information) so that you have the practical means to achieve your goals and further reinforcing the responsibility to make your own decisions
• provide physical and practical support, emotional support, information and perspective.
• suggest positions for laboring.
• suggest appropriate comfort strategies (shower, massage, birth ball, etc.)
• support the mother's partner and help him or her to participate in the birth in ways that are comfortable.
• provide labor support at home and/or in a birth center and/or in a hospital setting.
• maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, respect, courtesy, and professionalism when dealing with any other persons in my professional capacity, including clients' family members and medical caregivers.
  

As a Doula, I do not:

• perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others.
• make decisions for you or your family. (I will help you obtain the information necessary to make an informed decision I will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Plan.)
• speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. (I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.)
• share your information with anyone, it is held in strict confidence.
• operate or touch medical equipment.
• provide prescriptions, advice, or recommendations.
• assist in any clinical manner in the actual birth of the baby.

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Basic Doula Package

• Free initial consultation at your home or place of your choosing
• 2 prenatal visits at your home or to meet your healthcare provider
• Unlimited phone, email support, & research assistance
• 24x7 on-call service from 38+ weeks until birth
• Present for labor & birth, plus 1-2 hours after the birth to help you and your family settle in with baby and achieve breastfeeding success
• 2 postpartum home visits
• Breastfeeding support
• Help with writing a birth plan
• Access to a variety of comfort measures
• Access to my lending library of books and videos as well as the online virtual library and resources
• A birth story keepsake

At least half of the fee is due upon retaining me as your doula. The other half may be given at the same time in the form of a postdated check written for your estimated due date. If you have special circumstances that make this a hardship, we can discuss other options; You deserve a doula.

Discount: Receive a $50 discount when initial payment is made in full.

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Birth Plan Consultation

If you are not sure whether you would like to have a doula to attend your birth, but you would like assistance with your birth plan, I can help you identify steps you can take towards a positive birth experience. The fee is $50 for 2 hours, and $25 each subsequent hour. If you decide that you would like to have the basic doula package, this cost will go towards the package and the birth plan will count as one prenatal visit. If you have special circumstances that make this a hardship, we can discuss other options; You deserve a carefully crafted birth plan to carry out your vision and prepare for the unexpected.

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Information Binder, ebook, or CD with Teaching Sheets

Paper Binder - A complete binder full of evidence-based information and teaching sheets is available for a refundable deposit of $25. A great amount of time and printing materials are needed to compile the binders, and the deposit will cover the replacement costs if your binder is lost, stolen, or damaged. The $25 will be refunded when the binder is picked up at my final visit with you. The binder contains a variety of useful information on Pregnancy, Labor/Birth, Postpartum, Breastfeeding, and Dads & Partners.

e-book - This digital download contains a variety of useful information on Pregnancy, Labor/Birth, Postpartum, Breastfeeding, and Dads & Partners. It can be downloaded from the website from the library: Login here. It will be updated regularly as information is added and changes are made..

CD - A portable digital resource that contains a variety of useful information on Pregnancy, Labor/Birth, Postpartum, Breastfeeding, and Dads & Partners. This CD is custom made for each request so that is kept up to date. There is a small fee of $5 per CD to cover the my time and the materials used to compile the CD.

*If there is another format that you would like to have, please ask, because I might be able to accommodate you.

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Insurance

As more women are choosing doulas as part of the birth team, and more research is being done proving the benefits of Doula care, more insurance companies are covering the cost of Doula service. Many insurance providers also cover the cost of childbirth classes, whether those classes are private or in-hospital. However, insurance companies vary on if and/or how much of a Doula's services they will pay for.  Many times, a "prescription for Doula Care" can influence the company to cover a Doula. All receipts and information you need for filing for insurance reimbursement will gladly be provided.

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Methods of Payment Accepted

Cash, Check, Paypal, Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)

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Read more about Doulas

• Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier Birth by Marshall H. Klaus, Phyllis H. Klaus, and John Kennell.
• The Doula Book by Marshall H. Klaus, John Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus.
• The Doula Advantage by Rachel Gurevich

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