Labor Doula Services

photo courtesy of Lynsey Stone

As your doula, I am able to provide you with many services during your pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum period.

• During your pregnancy, I will:
  • Meet with you 2-3 times before the birth. The first meeting is our interview and does not obligate you to use my services. If you select me, then we will meet once or twice more so that we can become more familiar with each other and discuss your preferences for your birth. I will go with you to meet your caregiver if you desire.
  • Assist you in developing your birth plan.
  • Be available to you by phone to answer questions and make suggestions any time before labor begins.
• During labor and birth, I will:
  • Provide early labor support as desired, including in your home.
  • Remain with you once active labor has begun until at least one hour after the baby is born.
  • Provide non-medical comfort measures (such as massage, counterpressure, and suggesting position changes) for labor and birth.
  • Facilitate communication between you and your caregivers. I will explain medical procedures to you and help you understand information and recommendations given to you by your caregivers. I will also help you make sure they are familiar with your birth plan and remind you if there seem to be deviations from it.
  • Strive to maintain a calm and peaceful birth environment.
  • Maintain a birth log as circumstances allow.
  • Photograph labor, birth, and recovery if desired and time and circumstances permit.

photo courtesy of Nicole Eades

• In the postpartum period, I will:
  • Remain with you for at least an hour after the birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together.
  • Assist you with beginning breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth.
  • Be available by phone to provide emotional support and information on postpartum care, breastfeeding, and newborn care as requested.
  • Direct you to additional resources (lactation consultants, mother support groups, etc.) as needed or requested.
  • Meet with you approximately 2 weeks after the birth to review the birth and answer any questions you may have.
  • Provide you with a written account of your baby's birth. I would encourage to write your own version of the birth story as well.

"Laura was comforting. Her presence is calming; it still is. She has this tone of voice that just resonates with a peace and calmness that I needed with me." - Susie B.

"Having Laura as my doula helped me feel more at ease through my pregnancy and labor. I wanted to focus on glorifying God and not on the pains of labor." Melissa W.

"Laura has such a calming and reassuring voice that gives you the confidence that you can make it through the labor and birth experience without pain medication." Elhahm S.

Limitations of doula practice:

• As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure checks, vaginal exams, and other such duties. Those are the role of your caregivers.
• As a doula, I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need from your caregivers so that you can make an informed decision. I will also remind you when you or others stray from your birth plan, but this too is ultimately your decision. I am here to support, not decide.
• As a doula, I do not speak to your caregivers for you. I am not the client, and what I say holds no sway with them. I can assist you if you are having difficulty expressing your desires, but you or your partner will need to speak to your caregivers on your own behalf.

Fees:

• The fee for the services described above is $500, to be paid as follows:
  • $250 non-refundable retainer fee due to me when you select me as your doula and we sign the contract. Afterwards I will be available to you for phone consultation any time you need it.
  • The remaining $250 is due by 38 weeks gestation, or two weeks before your due date.

"I was a little nervous to use a doula since the birthing experience is so intimate. I didn't know Laura well and wasn't sure if I'd feel uncomfortable but still the benefits outweighed that so I went through with it. It was the best decision I could have ever made. Not only was I completely comfortable emotionally, Laura is the reason I was comfortable physically! She helped me get through every contraction with ease and helped me make some critical decisions, like how long I could stay at home before going to the hospital." -Jamie H.

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