Labor/Birth Doula Services

So, you are looking for a doula - congratulations!!!!  I am so happy that you are expecting and that you are here learning more about me, my services and how I can be of assistance to you. 

A little about me - I began working as a doula in January of 2003 and since that time I have had the pleasure and privilege of attending 101 births (including vaginal, cesarean, unmedicated, medicated, vbacs, inductions, twins births, hospital births, homebirths, and more).   Within my role as a labor doula I assist both mom and her birth partner during the pregnancy by providing support and education.  Then when mom goes into labor I am there for emotional, physical and informational support and I stay with the new family for about 1-2 hours after the birth.  In that immediate postpartum period I will assist mom with breastfeeding - although I have had no formal training with breastfeeding I have nursed my eight children and have also had experience utilizing a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) with two of my children and have experience nursing into toddlerhood.  I am there to mother the mother during her pregnancy and birth as her labor doula.  Want to know what a doula does and does not do? 

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"Michelle you are an angel - I truly believe it.  The road was long and bumpy.  You were there every step of the way and made a very scary experience somehow familiar and comfortable.  We could not have made it without you.  Somehow you transferred your own calm and confidence into us."  Karen Gervais, Milwaukee

Labor/Birth Doula Services:

• Initial consultation to get to know one another (free of charge)

• Prenatal consultations / education (number of prenatals given depends on amount of time between me being hired and your due date)

  • Prenatal One:

    • Healthcare provider compatibility

    • Learning what you really want for your birth and how to get it

    • Birth Planning

    • Happiest Baby on the Block

  • Prenatal Two;

    • Discussing interventions

    • What is in your doula's birth bag?

    • Practice comfort techniques

  • Prenatal Three: (optional-available in the full package only)

    • Pregnancy massage class - birth partners learn massage techniques to help mom

  • Prenatal Four: (optional-available in the full package only)

    • Pregnancy massage - a relaxation massage

• Unlimited phone and/or e-mail consultations to answer questions or address concerns you might have

• Lending library - labor and delivery books and videos (Books and videos I currently have available)
• On call starting two weeks before your due date until approximately two weeks after your due date
• Assistance writing an effective birth preference guide / birth plan and use of my birth plan binder to help you
• Educational Opportunities:
  • Free enrollment in my online courses where you can learn about topics such as:  birth planning, avoiding interventions, labor support for the birth partner, breastfeeding, and much more
  • Use of my Resource binder - this binder is filled with useful information about various topics surrounding labor and birth.
• Continuous support during your labor and delivery regardless of the length of your labor
• Photos taken if you desire
• After the birth I will stay with you for approximately one to two hours to answer questions, help you settle in as a family, provide breastfeeding support, and to assist you in whatever your needs may be
• Breastfeeding support
• Postpartum contact

Price for Labor/Birth Doula services: $700 for the full package or $650 if you opt not to do the pregnancy massage class and pregnancy massage   (If finances are an issue I do offer a sliding scale and am willing to work with families so that my services are affordable to them.)

What is a Labor/Birth Doula?

A labor/birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous support to help the mother and her partner through the labor and delivery experience.

She can help answer questions or help the mother find answers to her questions. She can help prepare a birth plan, help with comfort techniques, is available throughout the mother's labor and delivery (whether it be natural, medicated, or a cesarean birth), and can also assist with breastfeeding.

A doula can also help the father or birth partner by offering suggestions on comfort techniques, get food and/or drink, can give the father or partner a break if needed, and can also provide reassurance. A doula NEVER replaces the father or birth partner, but instead is there for support.

* Sometimes individuals feel they are unable to afford a doula, but still desire to have one present. If you feel that you cannot pay for a doula please consider talking with me about this. I can share ideas with you on how you may able to afford my services utilizing my sliding scale, fundraising ideas, or I can refer you to resources or a doula who would be willing to assist you for little or no fee.