SERVICES
What is a Birth Doula?
"We define a birth doula as a professional support person trained in the needs of the family during pregnancy and childbirth. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures. Doula originates from the Greek word meaning woman servant. A birth doula recognizes the profound impact of childbirth on the mother."
Birth Doula Services
Dear Doula provides continuous individualized
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emotional
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informational
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physical
support to a pregnant individual and their partner during pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum.
Dear Doula Birth Services include:
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free phone consultation to discuss your needs
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two prenatal visits in your home and/or common location
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on call/text 24/7 communication (beginning at 38 weeks)
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present for the entirety of your birth
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help transition and get you settled into your postpartum room
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breast/chest feeding support, if requested
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one postpartum visit within 1-2 weeks following birth
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continuous phone and email support
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access to childbirth education and maternal mental health resources
Prenatal Visits:
During the duration of our prenatal visits, we will be establishing a trusting, caring and nurturing connection to ensure that you and your partner feel empower, supported, and validated throughout your birth!
During this period Dear Doula will:
- listen/learn more how to best support you through the birthing experience
- discuss birth hopes, dreams, wishes, likes/dislikes
- provide childbirth education (maternal body changes, newborn choices, stages of birth)
- introduce different comfort techniques
- i.e. benefits of touch, light massage, counter pressure techniques, breathing techniques, different positions to ease discomfort
- education on common interventions for birth
- teach comfort measures for birth:
- use of Rebozo
- birthing Balls
- educate the different birthing positions to provide comfort and decrease pain
- hot/cold techniques
- discuss any worries, fears or thoughts lingering about birth
- go over hospital norms/what to expect at triage & when admitted
- make sure that your questions are answered
- ensure that you and your partner feel prepared, ready, safe for child birth
Labor and Delivery Expectations:
Dear Doula will:
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be on-call from 38-42 weeks
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be present the entire time while you are in labor and delivery at setting of your choice
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help you and partner feel empowered while obtaining important information necessary to make informed decisions about your birthing experience
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provide continuous emotional reassurance, encouragement, caring/calm presence
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provide physical support by help creating a calm environment (dim the lights, draw a bath, food/hydration reminders)
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provide informational support by guiding and keeping individuals informed of your birthing choices through evidenced-based information
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encourage different breathing techniques and birth positions
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supports partner by informing them on what is going on, keeping them informed, allowing for bathroom/movement breaks
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amplifying your decisions and voice
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can take birthing photos/videos
Dear Doula does not:
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speak to hospital staff (i.e. doctors, midwives, nurses, any hospital employee) on the client’s behalf, however, will encourage, remind and mirror positive communication
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make decisions for their client & partner
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conduct any medical procedures, interventions, exams on birthing individual or newborn baby.
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work for hospitals, birth sites, or other health care professionals.
Dear Doula supports both home and hospital settings for births. Dear Doula supports all birthing decisions (i.e. mediated and non-medicated, vaginal or cesarean births).