Birth Support Made for You

Why have a doula?

Studies show that doulas are directly linked to improving positive birth outcomes as well as overall satisfaction with your pregnancy and birth. What this means in terms of evidence is lower rates of C-section, less need for pain medication, shorter labors, fewer invasive techniques, plus higher rates and longer duration of breastfeeding. Regardless of which setting you choose to birth in your Midwife or OBGYN will be focused on providing medical care to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. This means you still need support in coping with pain, maintaining breathing, movement to progress labor and someone to support you during labor until it is time for your medical provider to take over as well as after they discharge you from medical care. A doula’s focus is on you without compromise. You are the sole priority. You will be heard, validated and supported.

What is a doula?

A doula provides dedicated care as non-medical birth support. Doulas additionally fill various roles during your pregnancy and postpartum period. My services include massage, herbal & nutritional recommendations, advocacy, night doula shifts, meal prep, general lactation support and of course start to finish labor support. I am also lucky to work with amazing providers for more specialized care to recommend as needed.

When working with first time parents we utilize Childbirth Education (CBE) classes where you learn the physiology of birth, creating your custom birth plan, ways to prevent unnecessary intervention, natural pain management techniques, what needs to be on your registry, creating your postpartum plan and how to care for your newborn. A typical package includes meets 3 times prenatally for CBE classes and 2 times postpartum. I create customized birth binders for each of my clients with further reading, recommendations and homework that help us successfully build your birth plan and help you practice a healthy lifestyle preparing for birth and postpartum.

Experience

My official doula training began under Nicole Deggins who developed Sista Midwife Productions to specifically focus on improving outcomes of marginalized women. I first studied infant massage with Colleen Curran and have become certified to teach these skills to parents as well. I am certified in both prenatal and fertility massage to support the entire journey of pregnancy. My midwifery apprenticeship began in 2020 and I currently study under Sandra Tallbear at The Natural Birth Center. I completed my masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a focus on prenatal care, fertility support for IVF or IUI, and induction techniques. I will complete the licensing process in fall of 2025 and be able to offer the full spectrum of TCM care as well.

As a doula I attend births in all settings: homes, birth centers, hospitals and C-sections. With my background in physiology, out of hospital birth and manual therapies, I feel my skills are best utilized in a minimal intervention or unmedicated birth plan. I am able to provide massage to help muscles relax, reduce pain and tension in labor. I am able to assess movement and recommend optimal positions to progress labor. As a trained Buteyko educator I can explain the pros and cons of breathing techniques and actively coach your breathing during labor. I am able to teach parents infant massage to help improve mobility, lactation, reduce colic and sooth their baby. I love making custom salves and herbal tea blends as well to support your body and sharing the knowledge of simple life style tricks that help reduce discomfort as your pregnancy progresses. It is my hope that in our work together you feel prioritized and that your unique needs are met through a combination of supportive therapies.

Common Services

Massage: for you, for baby, demonstrate easy techniques

Resources: useful tools like peanut balls or pregnancy pillows, reading recommendations, community services or other providers like acupuncturists

Self-care suggestions: stretching and exercises to reduce discomfort, safe essential oils, nourishing recipes, breastfeeding recommendations

Rebozo: during labor, teaching you and your birth support how use

Birth plans: reading recommendations, suggestions for arranging birth support and their roles, exploring what you may want during labor and how it can be incorporated

Birth bag: what to have, packing ahead of time

Coping: breath work, communication strategies, stress management, positive mental attitude

Labor support: I arrive when you want and stay till after the birth to help you however you want as emotional support and gentle massage

Postpartum: meal prep self-care, safe sleep, breastfeeding support, belly wrapping, sitz baths

Night Doula: feeding, changing and helping you get a restful night sleep

Helpful Links

Click on the links below for more information on birth values, how to choose your doula and brainstorm what services you may be interested in.

Doula Intro Packet

The Process

  • Consultations are free lasting anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Typically we conduct them on FaceTime, but calls or home visits can be available as well. My goal in this is to understand your unique needs and in what ways I may be of service. It is for you to get an idea of what our time together would look like and ask any questions you have.This is not a binding meeting.

  • After our consultation I will email you a prospective care package and estimate for cost of services. My priority here is to create some basic expectations and what my strategy to meet them is while respecting your schedule, budget and wishes. There is room to negotiate so after you review the package we can make modifications if needed.

  • Once you review the proposals, we have out first CBE class. If that goes well we will sign an official contract and begin our work together. At this time the deposit is due.

    I use a contract so we are both legally protected. If you wish to terminate or add additional services the contract allows for that. You will also be able to receive massage at reduced cost and well as set an hourly for additional services if needed.

  • I am on call for your birth from week 38 to 42 of your pregnancy. While it is never my plan to miss a birth, if there was a prematurity, emergency or ‘act of God’ I will always have a back up doula that you will be able to chat with and directly contact as an emergency precaution. This is a common practice all doulas use to make sure you are never alone during labor.

  • Postpartum is usually defined as the period 6 wks after giving birth. This is a flexible window depending on your recovery process. The contract will specify the services you request in advanced for this 6 wks. If during this window you find you need support longer or want to add services it is possible.

    When you decide you are ready to end services you just let me know. I love getting updates from clients after our time together and I will always be a resource for you if needed!