Services

As a birth doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw on my professional training, knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, soothing touch, massage, and other techniques for comfort and labor progression. My role is to support you as you prepare for child birth, and to be a calming, encouraging presence on that day. I work to support your partner as well, and to help you both prepare according to your values and goals. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or your hospital of choice.

Certification

  • Certified Birth Doula (CD) under DONA
  • CPR Certified – Red Cross
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Provider through American Academy of Pediatrics

College Education

  • LPN (West Virginia State Board for Licensed Practical Nurses)

Birth Doula Experience

  • Four Years

Services Provided

As your birth doula, I shall provide the following services:

  • Initial Consultation via FaceTime or at agreed upon location to get to know one another (free of charge).
  • One prenatal visit with mother and partner. We will discuss your hopes for your birth and any goals you have set, and how I can best support you.
  • If the time is available, and at your request, a second prenatal visit in the form of a brisk walk and talk, closer to your birthing day!
  • Continued communication during pregnancy via text, phone or email to answer questions, and provide resources or professional referrals. Response time within 24 hours, unless I am attending another birth.
  • Assistance creating prenatal, labor and birth goals, if desired.
  • 24/7 On Call availability starting 2 weeks before your estimated due date (EDD – 38 weeks gestation) until and after delivery.
  • Birth support in your home, birth center or hospital.
  • 1-3 hours support immediately after birth.
  • Immediate breastfeeding support, if desired.

Birth Fee

  • $900
    Pay half of birth fee at signing of contract and full payment due at or before 36 weeks. Payment plans available at request.

Clients per Month

  • Two
    Because I choose not to schedule more than two clients a month, I am able to give clients my full, undivided attention and the individualized care they deserve. For this reason, it would be ideal to contact me early before my calendar fills up.

Attends hospital births?

  • All Hospitals.
    I have supported mom’s at Southeastern Med Hospital Cambridge, OH; OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital Athens, OH.

Attends birth center births?

  • All Birth Centers

Attends home births?

  • Any Home Birth.
    I have supported mothers in the choice of home birth with CNM’s and/or CPM’s as their attending care providers.

Specialized Training + Previous Experience

  • Breastfeeding Education and support
  • Home Birth
  • Induced and high medical technology labor & birth
  • Postpartum mood disorders
  • Survivors of Previous Life Trauma
  • Worked with an interpreter to assist a non-English speaking mother
  • Single parents

Special Services Offered

  • Miscarriage Support (Before, During or After)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at birth)
  • Breastfeeding and Postpartum day support

I DO

  • Encourage the family to seek care that reflects their values and needs
  • Model and teach effective communication
  • Encourage informed decision-making
  • Support the physical and emotional healing of the mother
  • Provide information on care options and resources for the mother and newborn
  • Support and assist with infant feeding
  • Educate the family on newborn care and characteristics
  • Provide support to the new mother’s partner and/or family
  • Assist with household organization
  • Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis

I DO NOT

  • Diagnose medical conditions
  • Interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results
  • Prescribe or administer treatment of medical conditions
  • Perform clinical procedures, including taking infant’s temperature or administrating medications to infant or mother
  • Take over complete care of the infant, including buckling infant into car or car seat and cutting infant’s nails
  • Transport any family members
  • Stay alone with babies or other children
  • Sleep train babies
  • Act as a housekeeper or nanny