July 12th -Introduction to Birth

July 19th -As it Begins

July 26th - Comfort Measures in Labor

August 2nd -Labor of Love part 1

August 9th -Labor of Love part 2

August 16h -So You've Decided to Breastfeed

August 23rd -Yay You're Parents

September 6th -Postpartum Health and Baby Safety

July 13

July 20th -As it Begins

July 27th - Comfort Measures in Labor

August 3rd -Labor of Love part 1

August 10th -Labor of Love part 2

August 17h -So You've Decided to Breastfeed

August 24th -Yay You're Parents

September 7th -Postpartum Health and Baby Safety

The pitocin use goes down 31%

Cesarean rate decreases by 28%

There is a 12% increase in spontaneous vaginal births

9% decrease in medications for pain relief

14% decrease in newborns being admitted to a special care nursery

34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

Interview with me to discuss YOUR needs during birth and YOUR birth philosophy

Ability to borrow any of my childbirth books

Prenatal Education designed addressing questions such as

What to expect during labor?

When to go to the birthing center or hospital?

Feelings and hormones during labor?

Needs during labor?

Partner's role?

Use of positioning and comfort measures

Basic breastfeeding education

Additional Education through 4 weeks of childbirth education classes discussing topics such as

Needs/Feelings during birth

Maternal Mental health

Preparation for labor

Comfort measures used in labor

Positions to help facilitate labor progress

Newborn basics

Baby Safety

Mom's physical recovery

Postpartum Mood disorders and anxiety

Emotional support throughout duration of contract by phone/ messaging

24/7 Support by phone once you reach 38 weeks until you are ready to have your baby

Presence during your labor providing relaxation techniques, use of comfort measures, and helping make informed decisions

1 hour of support after birth to establish feeding and help in any way I can

6 weeks of Postpartum Doula services 12 Hours/ week night/daytime shift by supporting with:

Mom's physical healing

Both parents emotional adjustment to parenthood

Breastfeeding/ bottle feeding

Hands on assistance getting to know your baby

Hands on education on caring for your baby

Light housekeeping

Meal preparation

Sibling adjustment

Helping establish a routine for feeding/sleeping

and so much more

$750 deposit that is due at the first prenatal meeting and will reserve your due date on my calendar. If you fulfill your contract you deposit will be given back to you after all following invoices are paid

The $1000 for prenatal appointments, childbirth education classes, and presence at the birth can be paid in monthly payments or in one lump sum but must be paid by 36 weeks gestation.

The following payments of $250 will be sent each Friday for postpartum services (6 weeks) and the invoice must be paid before any following postpartum visits will be given

Virtual Interview with me to discuss YOUR needs during birth and YOUR birth philosophy

Virtual Prenatal Education designed addressing questions such as

What to expect during labor?

When to go to the birthing center or hospital?

Feelings and hormones during labor?

Needs during labor?

Partner's role?

Use of positioning and comfort measures

Basic breastfeeding education

Emotional support throughout duration of contract by phone/ messaging

24/7 Support by phone once you reach 38 weeks until you are ready to have your baby

Virtual support during your labor by providing relaxation techniques, use of comfort measures, and helping navigate informed consent

1 hour of support after birth to establish feeding and help in any way I can

2 Postpartum visits to check in with you and baby and answer any questions that may have arise

Your support person is worn out, you are worn out and there is pressure from the nurses/doctors to get interventions that you never wanted.

However, since you both are so tired and just want it to be over you opt in.

These interventions don’t meet your expectations, and labor is much longer and uncomfortable then you had originally thought.

Tension between you and your partner begins to rise since you are both tired and frustrated having to abandon your expectations.

Somehow you make it through labor, but the hard work is not over now; it has just begun.

Complications with breastfeeding and taking care of a newborn are overwhelming on their own but as you had a medicated birth you are unable to participate in the same way in caring for your newborn.

The baby has difficulty breastfeeding because your breasts are swollen, and the baby cannot latch properly so you default to supplementing with formula which like everything else just spirals and eventually you will only be formula feeding because it is easy.

Your whole outlook on parenthood changed because of the lack of support that you had during your labor and postpartum

While you are pregnant a doula WALKS WITH YOU and checks in with you frequently

Ensuring that you are doing well validating your feelings and empowering you to stand up for your birth preferences.

When you approach 38 weeks pregnant she is on call 24/7 at your disposal to answer questions, provide extra support and advocate for you.

While interventions might still be necessary due to medical reasons you feel different about them because you have learned strategies to use while laboring with the support of your doula Throughout your labor in the birthing center or hospital there is another person there to support your partner so that he won’t get worn out and can refill their needs so that they can be there for you after the birth and postpartum

In the 21st century modern day society that we live in in America asking for help and getting support are looked down upon leaving couples abandoned, unsupported and unable to cope with the challenges of raising a family.

In America the rates for postpartum mood disorders are higher than any other countries, cesarean rates are higher, breastfeeding success is lower, and divorce is higher since we have been programmed by our society not to ask for help.

We are expected to be superwoman and have everything together all the time. Well we don't.

That is an impossible standard that tears apart families, leaves women unsupported and alone, and leaves men not knowing where to turn for help or how to help their wife.

This is a problem in our society.

In most other countries in the world women are pampered postpartum.

Women come into their home taking care of all the household tasks so that new mom’s can focus on breastfeeding and resting.

Men are trained to be supportive of their wife and are given longer paternity leaves; they have a whole other outlook on life since they are not pressured to get right back to work and parenting is seen as "a woman’s job"

I believe that no one can get through life alone and we all need help and support from time to time.

I truly take to heart the mission of a doula to serve the family in whatever means that they need.

Unlike nanny’s and other baby professionals that are there for the baby we are doula’s are there for the mother and significant others.

Nanny’s often embrace their own child rearing strategies and although they take input from the parents they aren’t always supportive and listen.

I will listen to the needs of the parents and support them in their parenting goals.

I believe that it is not my job to come in and change everything that the parents have set up but to assess their needs and lend support where needed.

I believe as doula’s we involve the parents in their child raising journey and to offer support in whatever way we can.

I have always loved babies and have enjoyed watching them grow and learn.

I am so excited to start this job as a postpartum doula because not only am I going to get to do what I love but I will be able to give back to the community in a positive way helping others raise healthy happy children and nurture their relationship at the same time.

it started with having to get induced because anxiety was so high between my husband

Now 2 years later we are separated because of all the difficulties that we have faced as new parents.

I will take this experience to empower families to tackle the postpartum period with grace and understanding.

I will take what I have learned from this experience and support and validate you as a couple and help you navigate this crazy postpartum period.

Furthermore, taking the lessons learned from my experience I will be there for other women and support them from the beginning of their journey so that they feel supported and validated.

but can be done with support from others and understanding of your partner and family needs.

There are so many great resources out there and as a doula I have many of these in my toolkit to provide to parents so that they can make confident decisions about their children and how they are going to parent.

I believe that the most important role as a doula is to be there for the Mental, Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health of the whole family

Postpartum is a very difficult time for everyone involved.

Mothers are recovering from birth, learning how to breastfeed if that is their choice, and still finding time to take care of the home and other children.

Fathers are adjusting to their new role as a father for first time dads, or learning how to support their wives and other children.

My job as a doula is to be there for the parents and ensure that they are getting the rest and care that they need to be the best people that they can be.

For mothers that have chosen to breastfeed I have training about what is normal and when to seek additional help or supplement with formula.

For women who have chosen to use formula I can help provide a sense of relief by assisting with feeding the baby and washing and sterilizing bottles.

I can take care of the parents' physical needs by ensuring that everyone is eating healthy meals, going shopping and cooking for your family.

Emotionally men and women are going through a lot.

There are many struggles that they are having to face and many are not prepared for how their whole life is going to shift.

This is where a postpartum doula can lend a helping hand to offer validation for emotions and strategies to take care of your emotional health.

One of the most important things that both parents can do postpartum is ensure that they are taking care of their own emotional health.

As a doula I can give you a break while I am there to get some extra rest or to take a break to engage in self care while knowing that your infant or other children are in great hands.

Mentally women suffer a decrease in hormones from birth and this has a huge effect on her mental health.

Fathers also have a decrease in hormones which rises as a protective nature to protect their family.

As a doula I am trained in what is normal postpartum behavior and what is not.

There are many mental disorders linked to postpartum time for both men and women and it is part of my job to recognize these and suggest help as soon as the need arises.

Many women have to go on medication postpartum or seek out therapy to help with the drop in hormones and additional stressors.

I can help watch out for the signs of a postpartum mood disorder and advocate for you by providing resources to find help.

Finally, as a Catholic I can provide spiritual support for your family through prayers and ensuring that both parents are keeping up with their faith life and beginning early to teach their children about their faith and take them to church.