Birth Doula Services
What is a doula?
A birth doula is a professionally-trained birth attendant. As a member of your birth team, I provide informational, emotional, and physical support to you during pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.
You may have heard of a doula as a birth worker or birth keeper - both are true! I work hard and I honor the beauty and transformative nature of birth. I know that there may be goals you want to achieve and I’m there to help you work towards those! I am there to assist YOU.
Here’s an image of me providing hands-on support at a birth while the partner supports emotionally. Go team!
How can a doula help you?
Every person benefits from a doula’s presence at birth, even if you have a wonderful OB/midwife and a great partner. Why? Because it is often difficult for family members to see the person they love in pain or discomfort. A birth doula not only helps to ease the discomfort and keep the mother in high spirits, but also reassures the birth partner of the normalcy of the birth process and offers constructive ways to help. My presence also gives your loved ones the freedom to take bathroom breaks or grab a quick snack without leaving you unsupported.
Also, every birth is unique! I’ve attended births for baby #1 through baby #6 (true story!). Together, we take things one step at a time, evaluate the labor progress and choices, and move forward using my knowledge of birth and your instincts and decision-making. I can suggest and help implement position changes and other comfort techniques that will speed up labor and provide pain relief.
My Scope of Practice:
Unlike doctors and nurses, I will not perform medical tasks such as fetal monitoring or cervical checks. I will also not be working a regular “shift”, so you won’t have to worry about a shift change.
What I WILL do is be by your side, giving constant emotional and physical support to you, and encouraging and helping your birth partner to be confident and involved.
In terms of benefits, people who have a doula present at their birth report:
31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
60% decrease in the risk of C-section (new research shows a decrease of 60-80%, depending on the use of narcotics! Click here to read!)
12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
Doula Services At A Glance
Doula services begin with 1-2 prenatal visits
center on the labor and birth support
and conclude with a postpartum visit.
Use of Comfort Measures and Techniques
Including Spinning Babies techniques, TENS unit use, essential oils, exercise balls, peanut balls, massage tools, teas, etc. Many hands-on techniques are taught to you and your birth partner at the second prenatal visit, including counter pressure, hip squeezes, and more.
Access to my Lending Library
You or your birth partner may borrow any literature we have available so you can make educated decisions, or simply to read up on the journey of pregnancy and childbirth. I can also lend a TENS unit for a small rental fee.
24/7 “on-call” status
Beginning at 38 weeks gestation until birthing time begins. I’m awaiting your call to say “it’s time!” Then we’ll determine how to proceed from there.
Fully-focused, continuous support during your birthing time.
You’ll have my undivided attention and constant presence at your birthing location during active labor, the birth, and for 1-2 hours postpartum. I’ll be by your side throughout the entirety of your active birthing time and delivery. This is the most important aspect of doula services. You’ll have a labor companion who is focused on your emotional, mental, and physical well-being, as well as that of your partner and baby. I also take photos and assist with the Magic Hour, including skin-to-skin and latching.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You’ll get answers from an experienced doula
From the time you sign the contract, you’ll have non-stop access to professional knowledge regarding pregnancy and birth, giving you the opportunity to ask questions via text or email and get reliable, evidence-based answers throughout your entire pregnancy.
2 Prenatal Visits
For first-time parents, I recommend two visits. For experiences parents, or those at the edge of my normal service radius, we may consider combining the two into one longer meeting.
These visits allow us to get to know one another, and for me to learn how I might best serve you. You’ll tell me what you envision for your baby’s birth day and I’ll discuss the role you’d like me to play and how your husband/birth support person wants to be involved.
First visit - I’ll present information to help you make decisions regarding common hospital/homebirth norms and baby procedures. (Know that I will support you in whatever decisions you make.) I also help you make a list of preferences (a “Birth Plan”).
Second visit - We do a “Birth Rehearsal”, practicing positions, teaching your partner hands-on comfort techniques, going over breathing techniques, etc. I can check your “go bag” for the necessities, discuss and ease your fears and anxieties, and help you to know what to expect and how to prepare. I also help with tips for basic baby care, such as bathing, diapering, feeding, etc.
See how Dads and Doulas work together! This is me attending a beautiful birth in 2020.
Reassurance of a Doula’s Presence
I will be at your birth, so there’s absolutely no need to worry that you’ll be unguided or unsupported. I also have a network of trusted backup doulas in the case of a personal illness or emergency.
1 Postpartum Visit
Within a couple weeks of having your baby, I come to you to discuss your birth and offer any requested information about newborn care, breastfeeding, and other postpartum matters. We can go over anything that concerns you, and answer any questions you have, or refer you to more qualified/specialized professionals or other helpful resources.
Guilt-Free Follow Up
Even after our postpartum visit ends and our contract is technically fulfilled, never hesitate to reach out! I love questions, pictures, and updates throughout the “fourth trimester” and beyond : )
Investment Details and Next Steps
The fee for birth support is $1800, including the two prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and a postpartum visit with professional breastfeeding assessment. This price matches Michigan Medicaid reimbursement amounts as of October 1, 2024 for this birth package - but please feel free to ask about a sliding scale if this amount doesn’t work for you!
I accept FSA, HSA, Carrot, Medicaid, PayPal (debit or credit), Zelle Quickpay, CashApp, Venmo, Cash, or Check.
PLEASE ask about discounts or sliding scale fees. Discounts are available for repeat clients, for bundling services, for people who identify as BIPOC, for families using WIC, for LGBTQIA+ families, for military or military spouses, for those new to the country, or for those experiencing financial hardship. These discounts can be combined if you qualify for more than one! I am able to take on clients at a reduced fee periodically, so let’s chat.
I’m flexible with payment plans and request a 30% non-refundable retainer to put you on the calendar, with the balance due by 38 weeks gestation in order for our “on-call” period to begin, but we can chat to see what works best for your family!
I never like finances to get in the way of a great birth experience, so let’s talk more if you have any questions about payment. Here are a few other ideas to help budget for your birth support:
Arrange a payment plan- For example: seeking a doula around 18 weeks pregnant leaves 20 weeks to pay, making the payment ~$58/week
Include requests on your baby shower invitation asking for donations in addition to or in lieu of gifts
Get donations from friends and family (many loved ones will pitch in so you’re only responsible for a portion of the cost)
I can barter in exchange for some of my fee, depending on the items or services you/your loved ones are offering. Some examples include handyman services, home improvement, graphic design, babysitting, landscaping, deep cleaning, music lessons, snow removal, etc.
Think you’d like to talk more?
Schedule a Free Consultation. In this no-obligation meet and greet. We’ll get to know one another, and you can ask questions.
Follow up. We check in with each other to discuss if you’d like to move forward.
Paperwork. Sign a contract and pay a retainer fee (deposit) to secure your space on my calendar.
Schedule prenatal visits. Put our prenatal visits on the calendar.
Keep in touch. Send me questions, updates on OB/Midwife appointments, inform me of early labor symptoms and prepare for your birthing time.
The birth day! Time to meet your baby! Request the doula’s presence when ready for labor support (we’ll discuss “how to know when” together).
Schedule postpartum visit. Chat via Zoom or in-person and go over the birth and postpartum questions.
I look forward to the possibility of working alongside your family!