Birth Doula Philosophy:
I believe birth is a sacred rite of passage, the significance of which has been muted in our culture. Pregnancy and birth are steps in learning how you may be as parents and are often passageways to greater self understanding. It is my hope that by helping parents create a birth circle filled with peace, love, spirit, and respect, an environment of acceptance can emerge. This acceptance may lead to spontaneous movements, sounds, and coping techniques in the laboring mother.
I see my role as your doula as that of a guide, bringing you back into coping when your path has turned, providing you with nourishment, helping you gather and assimilate information, giving my physical and emotional support to your process. Giving birth in the midst of a grounded circle of support is a wonderful way to step across the threshold into parenting.
I have experience in a variety of locations including hospitals, birth centers, and home births.
One of my favorite aspects of my work as a doula is supporting the partner who is providing labor support. I enjoy finding ways to keep the couple connected and working together as well as stepping in to give relief to the partner when it seems appropriate. Birth is a rite of passage and an emotional experience for both parents, having someone there to offer a ear, a hand-to-hold, a shoulder to lean on, can make a difference in how your perceive your experience. Watching a couple be together during the birth of their child always gives me a moment of awe, it is an enormous honor to be present for someone else's event.
Bodies Centered in Birth
Basic Doula Service
$700.00
My basic services include:
Prenatally
- free interview to discuss my services/ assess compatibility
- one or two prenatal meetings to discuss your preferences and needs
- information the birth process and medical procedures
- referrals to pregnancy, postpartum, and family related services if appropriate
- help creating a birth plan
- help creating your postpartum support plan
- unlimited phone and email contact for information and emotional support
Labor & Birth
- uninterrupted presence and support for labor and birth
- personalize the birth space with you
- physical comfort measures and coping skills
- explanation of medical procedures being offered
- nurturing and protecting your sacred birth circle
- help with early breastfeeding
Postpartum
- phone call in the first 24-36hours
- one visit in the first three days (in home or hospital)
- one visit between three and four weeks postpartum to discuss the birth and see how you and baby are doing
- referrals to lactation help as needed
- suggestions for rest and recovery
* A back-up doula is always provided for each of my clients. My back-up doula will attend the prenatal meeting when possible or arrange a time to meet with us before the birth.
Bodies Centered in Pregnancy & Birth
$800.00
the Basics plus two massages
to be used at your discretion
Bodies Centered Family
$900.00
the Basics plus five massages
to be used by both parents
For more information on doulas please visit the following organizations:
Birthing From Within
Pacific Association for Labor Support (PALS)
Open Arms Perinatal Services
Northwest Association of Postpartum Support (NAPS)
Comments my clients have made about me:
I couldn't have done it without you.- S.P.
I felt your presence was enormously calming, and my husband truly appreciated your guidance and knowledge, to learn from you.-R.M.
Your presence kept me calm when I thought everyone was panicking.- S.S.
Thank you for staying with me when I was alone.- M.S.
I'm glad you were there for my baby during the cesarean, so he had someone to hold him.- T.M.
