I offer a free initial interview in the privacy of your own home so that you may
get to know me personally and I get to know you. We discuss philosophies of
birth and get to know if we will be a good match. If not, I am pleased to
provide a list of other Doulas for you to interview.
My entire fee for all services listed on this page is
$550.00. A retainer fee ($350) is paid at hiring and the remainder ($200)
can be paid at the postpartum meeting.
Getting to know each other
A foot massage always feels good!
Our First Working
Visit
We discuss birthing options in great detail. I am happy to help you
educate yourself about all the options you have during labor and birth.
I have a short questionnaire for you and your partner to complete. Your
answers help me know how to best support your desires and decisions.
This visit generally takes a couple of hours and my "retainer"
fee of $350.00 is due at this time. This ensures that I have space open during the two weeks surrounding
your Estimated Due Date.
In the event that I am unable to attend your birth [extremely rare; only
if I have Strep Throat ;) ] I have simply lovely & wonderful back-up
Doulas who will meet you in advance as well.
Our Second Working Visit:
On the second visit, I teach "the inner event" of labor,
demonstrating massage and relaxation techniques that you can rehearse
now and use extensively during labor, birth and breastfeeding. We
practice different positions for labor and pushing, including use of the
labor ball, rebozo and massage.
We plan a visit to your care provider if you wish. I like to meet ahead
of time to ensure a calm birthing environment with everyone acquainted.
We talk about roles and responsibilities for labor day and decide ahead
of time what to do in case things don't go exactly as planned.
I
take home a copy of your birth plan so that I'm fully prepared to
support the choices you and your care provider have discussed.
Lower Back Massage
Demonstrating massage techniques feels great. I also help your partner
find those tender areas that will need attention before labor begins. We
discover what your "pressure" (softer/harder) preferences are.
And Finally ... Labor Day!
When you believe you are in labor, I will come directly to your home if you wish.
We
labor at home as long as you feel comfortable and as long as I know
things are progressing normally. You can wear your own clothes, eat and
drink as you wish and move about freely.
We use all the comfort measures you have previously chosen; massage, the
labor ball, the labor pool, aromatherapy, guided imagery; whatever
works!
When you are ready, I transport with you to the hospital and never leave
your side. I continue to support your partner so that he may participate
at as full a level as he feels comfortable.
When the birth occurs, I stay with you, even if your newborn is
transported to the nursery. This frees Daddy to attend to the baby while
you're being cared for. As soon as possible, I will help you
establish breastfeeding with your little one.
Postpartum
I ask that you call me the day after delivery to
make sure you are doing well.
Just a few weeks after delivery, when you are
feeling up to the visit, I return with a loving letter to your newborn.
It details the day of his or her birth, including all the little moments
you may have forgotten due to "labor amnesia". You will have
these forever to treasure.
At this visit, we debrief. We talk about everything that happened,
positive and otherwise. This helps you process your most important day
and rediscover the strengths you may have never realized you possessed.
Also at this visit, if you are completely satisfied with my service, I
will accept the remaining $200.00 of your payment in full.
Guided
Imagery
Laboring women are especially susceptible to suggestion. I spend a lot
of time talking to you about what is
happening inside your body.
Labor is an Internal Event and by connecting
through mental pictures with what is happening inside of you, you are more able to
let go and surrender to the emotional and physical happenings. You are
thereby invigorated with a positive state of mind for this very
physical, but spiritual activity.
I love to use your favorite music and
aromatherapy specifically designed to enhance the relaxed labor
environment.
