Why hire a Birth Doula?
Emotional Support:
Pregnancy and birth can bring on a whirlwind of emotions! Birth Doulas help families feel supported and provide a safe space to process emotions and make informed decisions. I am here to provide encouragement and reassurance as you navigate pregnancy, prepare for the birth of your baby and provide a safe space to process all of the emotions that come with entering this next phase of your life. I am only a phone call, text, or email away whenever you need someone to hold space for you or you need to process birth decisions.
physical support:
Birth Doulas are trained in comfort measures for labor. I continue to educate myself on how to create space in the pelvis through movement and ligament release, encourage alignment in the pregnant body, and how to assist birthing individuals to honor the mind/body connection.
Preparing your pregnant body for labor can be overwhelming if you feel like your "toolbox" is empty. I can teach you a combination of movements to help ease pregnancy discomforts, learn how to view different areas in your home as "stations" for movement and provide you with a visual guide to refer to as you labor at home and in the hospital. I work with you and any support persons in your birth team, to help everyone feel prepared to suggest different movements for different phases of labor, but also to remind you that you are not alone; you are supported and loved.
education:
Fear of the unknown can be scary. Whether this is your first birth or your fifth, each birth is unique in its own way and comes with its own set of worries. I can provide evidence-based resources to help you prepare for prenatal visits with your care provider and develop your birth plan. We work as a team to identify your birth values, learn how to use these values when navigating birth options, practice comfort measures and protect physiology.
Practicing movements leads to muscle memory and education can reduce the "unknowns" and help you feel more confident as you approach the big day.
I also offer in-person Lactation Education, held in my San Jose office or at your home.
advocacy:
Identifying your birth values makes it easier to navigate suggested interventions, common medical practices, and feel connected to your decisions. As a Birth Doula, I can help you advocate for yourself both prenatally and during your birth. Advocating for your birth values prenatally helps you to ensure you are in alignment with your care provider and strengthens your birth team's ability to reinforce what matters most to you as labor unfolds.