Doula-
One who “mothers the mother” during
labor and postpartum.
What is a Doula?
A doula offers informational, physical, and emotional support during the prenatal period, throughout the labor, and for postpartum care. A doula is trained to accompany the laboring woman, offering comfort measures such as position changes, massage, movement, breathing techniques, vocalization, birth ball, music, etc. A doula acts as an advocate for mom by helping her express her birth plan wishes to the caregivers and medical personnel. She also offers support to the birth partner by suggesting comfort measures for mom and support the partner in his/her role.
Benefits of having a Doula
* Shorter labor
* Reduced need for pain medication such as epidurals
* Reduction in medical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps, pitocin, and cesarean births
* Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
* Improved mother/infant bonding
* Increased breastfeeding success
My Doula Philosophy
I believe women have the innate knowledge to create, birth, and care for their babies; and it is our job as birth guardians to empower and support women to listen within. Our birth stories stay with us forever and it is my hope that we can create the most positive experience together.
As your birth doula, my job is to support mom and partner through the end of pregnancy, into labor and during the immediate postpartum period. I will do my best to provide you with as much information, physical and emotional support, and resources available to me. Most importantly, I hope to support the mom (and partner) to take responsibility for their own birth experience and trust her knowledge within.
About My Services
As your doula, I will meet with you several times before your birth in order for us to get to know each other and to discuss your wishes, hopes, fears, and emotions connected to your birth. We will discuss your birth desires and plan. I will be available to you via email and/or phone to address any questions or concerns that may come up as your labor comes closer. On labor day, I will be with you from the time you need me, either at your home or wherever you desire, and stay with you until your baby is born. I will then visit you and your new family at home to discuss your birth story, process the birth, check in with the new family, and ensure breastfeeding is going well.
I will share my knowledge as a childbirth educator, counselor, as well as a mother to support you during this powerful and amazing time.
Fees
My doula services fee is a sliding scale of $600-800.
I require a deposit/on-call fee of $200. Because I also have a young child at home, I typically only take 1-2 births per month. Your deposit will guarantee my availability to be your doula.
I also offer doula services on a reduced rate or payment plan. I wholeheartedly believe that doula services should be available to all pregnant women desiring one. If you are interested in my services, but are unable to pay, please contact me and we can come up with a plan together.
Please contact me for your FREE consultation.
Doula Services provided throughout San Diego County.
619.886.9910
Counseling Services
As a Counselor, I provide Individual and Group Support. I enjoy working with women, teens, and families, and specialize in working with women and teens through their pregnancy and postpartum. I work in collaboration with the client to provide emotional support by addressing stresses; lifestyle issues such as drug abuse or violence; as well as previous traumas that my affect birth and parenting. I offer Individual Counseling Sessions, Teen Support, Belly2Belly Pregnancy Support Group, Mothering Circle Postpartum Support Group, and Postpartum Counseling Home Visits.
