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. Emotional support is offered throughout our time together. I am here to remind you "I trust you" and encourage you to trust your instincts. You know your body better than anyone.
physical support:
Birth Doulas are trained in comfort measures for labor. Physical support also extends to preparing the body prenatally to optimize alignment I provide education on how to prepare the body prenatally to encourage alignment and balance. Alignment and balance improve mobility, range of motion, and help create space in the pelvis. Physical support can also look like "holding space" and honoring the birthing persons instinctual movements.
Preparing your pregnant body for labor can feel overwhelming if you feel like your "toolbox" is empty. I can teach you a combination of movements to help ease pregnancy discomforts, improve body alignment, learn how to view different areas in your home as "labor stations" for movement and provide you with a visual guide to refer to as you labor at home and in the hospital. We will discuss baby's journey through the pelvis and the "why" behind certain movements commonly suggested during labor. Understanding the "why" helps families navigate labor positions organically.
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 and feel overwhelming. Additionally, "too much" information all at once can seem difficult to navigate through. Whether this is your first birth or your fifth, each birth is unique in its own way. I can provide evidence-based resources to help you prepare for prenatal visits with your care provider, develop your birth plan and learn how to skillfully advocate for the birth you want.
We work as a team to identify your birth values, learn how to use these values when navigating birth options, practice comfort measures and identify ways to 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 prenatal lactation education where you will learn about the physiology of making human milk, how to identify a good latch, practice various feeding positions, how to hand express milk, how to tell if baby is getting enough milk, identify hunger cues and tips for troubleshooting common breastfeeding concerns.
advocacy:
Identifying your birth values, trusting your intuition and utilizing evidence based information, 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.