Labor +Birth Doula Support

Do I need a doula?

Studies show that labor and birth doulas effectively reduce emotional stress in birthing people. Doulas provide prenatal education, yoga and movement practice, breathing techniques, comfort measures, breastfeeding and chestfeeding support, postpartum education, and reassurance for partners.

These have been proven to help birthing people have satisfying birth and postpartum experiences.

What does a doula do?

Doulas provide support, comfort, and calm during highly transitional times of life.

Doulas help prepare for a major transitional event like birth, postpartum, and miscarriage/abortion by educating about the process and teaching methods to cope with physical, mental, and emotional regulation, practical education, and (if desired) spiritual integration.

During birth, a doula can apply the use of massage, heat/cold, movement, positioning, coaching, and many other non-medical measures to support the laboring process.

Most importantly, a doula provides support tailored to the unique needs of the birthing person and their family. We are members of your team and on your side every step of the way.

Doula Stats

The presence of a doula can reduce C-Section rates by 28-56%*

  • Doulas can help reduce epidural rates by 9% or more*

  • Doulas can help reduce induction rates**

  • Doula can help reduce pain and stress in labor

  • Doula support may positively impact birth weight

    *Hodnett et al., 2012, Kozhimannil et al., 2016

    **Hannah et al., 1996, Kassab et al., 2011; Pavicic et al., 2009; Goer, 2012

What’s Included

Hospital or home birth support*

  • 24/7 on-call access from 37 weeks

  • Support and comfort measures during labor

  • Support for birthing partner

  • Interface with the medical team or midwives (I do not speak for you. I amplify your wishes)

*Labor + Birth Package only

Postpartum Visits*

  • 90 min follow-up visit

  • Birth story processing

  • Lactation support and referral, if needed

  • Baby care so new parent can rest or shower

*Labor + Birth Package only

Prenatal Visits*

  • 2x 1.5 hour prenatal visits

  • Discussion of birth preferences

  • Access to GroundWork Birth online birth education portal

  • Movement and coping techniques to support the body and mind during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum

  • Referrals to necessary providers

  • 4x Prenatal Yoga + Birth Prep classes

  • Birth partner support for labor, birth, and postpartum

  • Postpartum planning

  • Discussion of thoughts and feelings around pregnancy and labor

*Prenatal Coaching Package, Labor + Birth Package

Birth Packages

Prenatal + Labor Coaching

  • Prenatal education, prenatal movement and labor preparation, postpartum planning.

    No labor + birth support.

Labor + Postpartum Support

  • Prenatal Coaching + Labor Support.

    Onsite labor + birth support.

    Postpartum planning and visit.

FAQs

  • I support most births. Included are:

    • Home births

    • Hospital births

    • VBAC

    • Planned C Sections

    I do not support planned free births.

  • By definition, a doula does not perform any medical interventions. A doula is there to support you, make you feel secure, and to empower you and your birth partner. All medical procedures are deployed by medical professionals.

  • To keep my clients and their families safe, I practice in a fully vaccinated capacity. I receive boosters and seasonal vaccinations as needed.