PREGNANCY & BIRTH DOULA
The desired birth
The first step in working together is a free consultation. We can meet via zoom to see which of our Doulas would be the best fit for you and your partner. If you decide that you would like for us to be present at your birth, the Doula working with you will be meeting with you again at around 34 weeks for a prenatal visit. As soon as you sign a contract, your Doula is available by telephone, email & text support. From week 37 until the birth, she will be on call for you 24/7. You can always reach out to her with questions, concerns or for help finding a resource, like a chiropractor, prenatal physical therapist or acupuncturist. On a regular basis your Doula will check in with you.
During the prenatal visit your Doula will talk about:
We can recommend a bunch of excellent books and videos; we also have a variety of forms with great information to share in preparation for the labor day!
We provide a ton of information (also YouTube videos), about different exercises to do when you are in pre-labor and active labor.
Being your Doula during labor
When the contractions start, you will notify the doula and the caregiver. The best place to be at this stage is in the comfort of your own home, for as long as possible. In pre labor we do a lot of text and/or phone support. The Doula will see you when you think you need her. This could be at your home; birth center or hospital and she will be by your side until the baby is born. We normally do a lot of massage, comfort measures, breathing techniques, changing positions and give reassurance and positive encouragement. Most important is a safe environment.
We support your partner in helping you the best they can. Besides that, your partner can take a break when needed too. We will make sure that you stay hydrated and even if you have an epidural, we will do comfort measures in bed. The baby has to keep on moving for a better engagement in the pelvis. A peanut ball is a very helpful tool.
Right after the birth
Right after your baby is born, skin-to-skin contact is important for the bonding with your baby. They call that "The Golden Hour".
Enjoy these very first special moments with your baby and your partner. We also help you with initial breastfeeding or bottle/chest feeding. We go home to give you special family time if we know that you and your baby are doing okay and you have something to eat. That's kind of 1-1,5 hour after the baby is born.
The day after you have given birth, we will call you to see how everything is going. We can plan a 1 - 1.5 hour postpartum visit at your home within a week after the baby is born or at your convenience. Emotional healing is important too. Make sure that you have already meals in the freezer and a support plan set up.
The first step in working together is a free consultation. We can meet via zoom to see which of our Doulas would be the best fit for you and your partner. If you decide that you would like for us to be present at your birth, the Doula working with you will be meeting with you again at around 34 weeks for a prenatal visit. As soon as you sign a contract, your Doula is available by telephone, email & text support. From week 37 until the birth, she will be on call for you 24/7. You can always reach out to her with questions, concerns or for help finding a resource, like a chiropractor, prenatal physical therapist or acupuncturist. On a regular basis your Doula will check in with you.
During the prenatal visit your Doula will talk about:
- Your ideal birth and your fears
- Challenges
- Your preference birth plan
- What you can do already to prepare for the birth and what to do in early labor at home with your partner
- Coping mechanisms
- Explain you what options are available to you
- Teach your partner how to help you best
We can recommend a bunch of excellent books and videos; we also have a variety of forms with great information to share in preparation for the labor day!
We provide a ton of information (also YouTube videos), about different exercises to do when you are in pre-labor and active labor.
Being your Doula during labor
When the contractions start, you will notify the doula and the caregiver. The best place to be at this stage is in the comfort of your own home, for as long as possible. In pre labor we do a lot of text and/or phone support. The Doula will see you when you think you need her. This could be at your home; birth center or hospital and she will be by your side until the baby is born. We normally do a lot of massage, comfort measures, breathing techniques, changing positions and give reassurance and positive encouragement. Most important is a safe environment.
We support your partner in helping you the best they can. Besides that, your partner can take a break when needed too. We will make sure that you stay hydrated and even if you have an epidural, we will do comfort measures in bed. The baby has to keep on moving for a better engagement in the pelvis. A peanut ball is a very helpful tool.
Right after the birth
Right after your baby is born, skin-to-skin contact is important for the bonding with your baby. They call that "The Golden Hour".
Enjoy these very first special moments with your baby and your partner. We also help you with initial breastfeeding or bottle/chest feeding. We go home to give you special family time if we know that you and your baby are doing okay and you have something to eat. That's kind of 1-1,5 hour after the baby is born.
The day after you have given birth, we will call you to see how everything is going. We can plan a 1 - 1.5 hour postpartum visit at your home within a week after the baby is born or at your convenience. Emotional healing is important too. Make sure that you have already meals in the freezer and a support plan set up.
* During birth and postpartum, we always work with a back-up Doula from our own network.
Asking your partner to be your
sole guide through labour is
like asking them to lead the way on
a climb of Mt Everest.
They may be smart and trustworthy,
you may love them, but in the
Himalayas you'd BOTH be a lot
better off with a sherpa!
-Pam England-
sole guide through labour is
like asking them to lead the way on
a climb of Mt Everest.
They may be smart and trustworthy,
you may love them, but in the
Himalayas you'd BOTH be a lot
better off with a sherpa!
-Pam England-
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Private ClassesWe offer private childbirth classes that cover topics from stages of labor to delivery and more. We also offer breastfeeding and newborn care classes that provide the chance to prepare and ask questions before your baby's arrival. The classes can be scheduled at the time and place of your choosing.
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Postpartum DoulaWe also offer postpartum doula services. A postpartum doula helps parents and families adjust to daily life with a new baby. She assists with newborn care, maternal care, and household management. Daytime and overnight services are available.
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Studies of over 5000 women involving comparisons of outcomes with & without labor support found:
50% less caesareans
25% reduction in length of labor
60% fewer requests for epidurals
40% less need for augmentation with Pitocin (Oxytocine)
34% more chance to have a positive feeling after the birth
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
12% more chance at a natural vaginal birth.
40% less use of forceps
Klaus, M.H., Kennell, J.H., & Klaus, P.H. (1993). Mothering the mother: how a doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth.
50% less caesareans
25% reduction in length of labor
60% fewer requests for epidurals
40% less need for augmentation with Pitocin (Oxytocine)
34% more chance to have a positive feeling after the birth
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
12% more chance at a natural vaginal birth.
40% less use of forceps
Klaus, M.H., Kennell, J.H., & Klaus, P.H. (1993). Mothering the mother: how a doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth.