Birth Doula
Before Birth:
On call 24/7 from 38 weeks to 42 weeks
Email, text and phone communication once hired and through the first six weeks postpartum
Series of emails with evidence based, informative literature about pregnancy, birth, and newborn care
Prenatal visit to finalize birth preferences, practice comfort measures, and answer any remaining questions before your birth
Referrals for family centered care providers, chiropractors, massage therapist, pelvic floor physical therapist, placenta encapsulators, and birth photographers
During Birth:
Continuous support (what continuous support looks like varies, depending on what phase of labor you are in)
Help you communicate effectively with your healthcare providers
Utilize different techniques to help facilitate labor
Free use of TENS unit for labor
Aromatherapy using essential oils
Breath awareness
Verbal affirmations
Scripture reading and prayer, if desired
Position changes and specialized techniques to help facilitate labor and delivery regardless of medicated or unmedicated labor
Counter pressure
Massage
Encourage partners involvement in labor, so you feel fully supported
Take candid photos or videos
After Birth:
Postpartum visit within the first 2 weeks postpartum
Breast-feeding guidance and support, including latch/positions and troubleshooting
Referrals for lactation consultants and postpartum counseling, if needed
General education regarding newborn care