MEET CHRISTY

MIDWIFERY SERVICES

DOULA SERVICES

MODEL OF CARE

WHAT FAMILIES SAY

DIRECTIONS & CONTACT

LINKS OF INTEREST

A doula (pronounced doo-la’) is a professional labor assistant who helps women and their partners through the labor and birth of their child. Many women experience birth as a life-changing event; having a trained, knowledgeable, and nurturing doula can mean the difference between a good birth experience and a disappointing one.

Doulas bring their experience and training to the birth place to help a woman achieve the birth she desires by providing physical, emotional and informational support. By facilitating and enhancing the roles of others present helping the woman in labor, she helps make the experience better for everyone.

If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical
not to use it.”   - John H. Kennel, M.D. 

 

HOW DOES A DOULA HELP?                                 TOPofPAGE

With Celebrating Birth Doula Services, you will have a doula who will be there during your pregnancy to assist you with your birth preparations. I can help you gather information about your options and choices for a caregiver, for prenatal care, for labor and birth, and for your and your baby’s needs during the days and weeks after the birth.

During your labor and birth, I will be there as a gentle guide providing continuous emotional, physical and informational support. I will offer comfort measures such as positioning, movement, relaxation, breathing, counterpressure, hydrotherapy and other techniques to help you deal well with your labor and to help your labor progress. I will provide you with massage as well as verbal and emotional encouragement. When needed, I can help you and your partner sort out information about benefits and risks of suggested interventions so that you can make informed choices.

While at the hospital (if that is your birth place) I will introduce myself to the nursing staff and to your doctor or midwife, and I will generally work to create a team approach to meeting your needs. Since the hospital environment can feel intimidating, I will help to make you and your partner feel more comfortable and safe. By knowing your wishes for your birth, I can be an gentle advocate by reminding hospital staff of your desires.

When your baby is born I will be there to give a hand with positioning and latch during initial breastfeeding and to see that you and your family are able to start bonding quickly with your new baby. After the birth, I will be available to help answer any questions you as new parents may have regarding normal newborn behavior and baby care. I’ll also spend time with you as needed to help you process through the birth experience, which is often a much needed help.

My goal is to help you have a safe and satisfying birth experience. I will listen to what you want and will walk with you and your family through the whole experience, regardless of which options you choose. This is, after all, your birth!


THE DOULA DIFFERENCE                                      TOPofPAGE

When you decide to include a doula on your birth team, you improve your chances of having a safer and more empowering birth. Research studies have conclusively shown that doulas not only help the mother emotionally, but also mean a healthier birth and a healthier newborn.

When you have a doula at your birth:
▪Your risk of having a cesarean section, forceps delivery,
 vacuum extraction, and episiotomy drops.
▪Your need for pitocin/oxytocin to stimulate your labor is
 reduced.
▪Your ability to cope with the pain improves, decreasing
 the possibility of needing pain medication.
▪You will be more likely to have a shorter labor.
▪Your relationship with your partner is likely to grow
 stronger.
▪You’re more likely to succeed with breastfeeding your
 newborn.
▪You’re more likely to be confident in your mothering skills.
▪You’re more likely to view your birth experience in positive
 terms.
▪You’re more likely to see your body as strong and capable.
▪You're less likely to experience postpartum depression.

Reference: Klaus et al, “Mothering the Mother,” Addison-Wesley, 1993, ISBN 0-201-56797-0 and DONA International Position Paper


DADS & DOULAS                                                    TOPofPAGE
Understandably, dads may feel concerned that a doula will crowd them out or take their place in supporting their wife during the birth experience, but I want to assure you I know the special and unique role the dad plays during the labor and birth. As a doula, I am also there for the dad: to support, encourage, help guide the dad in the support he gives. I feel the best approach is for a dad and a doula to work together as team, enhancing and complimenting each other’s roles for the mother’s benefit.

The dad will have his own concerns, anxieties and emotional needs while his partner is in labor. A doula can help the dad feel more knowledgeable about what is happening during the labor and birth so that he feels more comfortable and capable of offering support to his partner. If labor and birth are an unfamiliar experience to the dad, then a doula can answer his questions and help guide him with suggestions for providing comfort measures for the mom. Having another calm person present who is experienced with labor and birth can take some pressure off the dad. With a team approach, the dad can take guilt-free breaks to get a bit to eat, take a quick nap, or run to the bathroom without feeling he is abandoning his partner.

My goal is to help the dad be as involved as he and the mom want him to be, carrying some of the stress he may feel and helping make him more successful in his unique role. I strive to allow the father to support his partner during labor and birth and also enjoy it himself without the pressure of having to remember everything he learned in childbirth class.


MY DOULA SERVICES & FEES                              TOPofPAGE

PRENATAL

▪Free initial consultation for asking questions and gathering information. Your birth is a very intimate and vulnerable time so it is essential that you and your partner feel comfortable with me as a person and the services I offer.
▪Two prenatal visits to develop and discuss your birth plan; talk about any anxieties your and your partner have; and for you and your partner to familiarize yourselves with various comfort measures and positions we will use to enhance your ability to cope with labor and birth.
▪Unlimited phone and email support during your pregnancy and the first few weeks postpartum for encouragement and information you need.

LABOR AND BIRTH

▪Continuous support throughout your labor, day or night, no matter how long or short it is.
▪I can come to your house when you are in early labor if you desire then accompany you to your place of birth. If you choose to have me come to your house and labor with you there first, I can offer skills beyond what a doula alone can offer, since I’m also a midwife. I can check your baby’s position, check your dilation and progress, assess your baby’s heartbeat, and check your blood pressure.
▪Assistance with maintaining a calm, peaceful atmosphere.
▪Comfort measures such as breathing, massage, relaxation, position changes and movement.
▪Information and explanation of risks and benefits of interventions suggested by your nurse, doctor or midwife. ▪Advocacy for your wishes and desires for your birth.

POSTPARTUM

▪I will remain with you for the first hour or two after your birth to assist with bonding, breastfeeding and recovery. I will also bring a herbal bath mixture for you and your baby if your place of birth has tubs available.
▪Postpartum help with breastfeeding if needed.
▪A visit in the early postpartum weeks to "ooh and ahh" over your new beautiful baby, discuss your birth, talk about newborn care concerns you and your partner may have.

FEES

▪$200 dollars due at your first prenatal visit and contract
 signing to secure my services.

▪$250 dollars due at your second prenatal visit.

▪$250 dollars due in the first week postpartum.

▪My total fees are $700.

Before you decide that you can’t afford doula services, please email me to discuss your desires. I may offer discounts for seminary students and for those in ministry.

TOPofPAGE