Gentle Journeys

Birth Doula Services

I am trained as a professional labor assistant to provide support during labor, birth and immediate postpartum. I do this in homes and hospitals. I am hired privately by the families I serve.

Services I provide as a birth doula:

• One free 45 min meeting to get to know each other and decide if we are a good “fit”
• Non-judgemental support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.
  
• Two to three prenatal visits, aiming to develop a relationship and understanding of what your ideal birth looks like, and how I can be a part of that.
  
• Help writing a birth plan if you wish
• Phone and email support for questions and concerns
• On call 24 hours a day for you from 37th  week of pregnancy on.
• Continuous labor support
• Immediate postpartum support, and initial breastfeeding
• Written birth summary
  
• One postpartum visit, which can be anytime from 3 days to 3 weeks postpartum, depending on what the family desires.

Labor support includes:

• Emotional, physical and informational support at home or hospital
• Support at home in early labor
• Position suggestions
• Relaxation techniques
• Massage
• Support for your partner and/or others attending the birth (children should have their own support person)
• Taking photos if you would like
• Working in a respectful manner with your care provider and other medical staff

A few things doulas do NOT do:

• Perform medical tasks (vaginal exams, blood pressure, etc) or give medical advice
  
• Make decisions for you
• Speak for you. I encourage you to speak for yourself.

Fees

The total fee for birth doula services is $500*.

It is divided up into two payments as follows: 

• On call/prenatal fee: 
• $250 to be paid by the 37th week of pregnancy.  This may be paid in installments at each prenatal visit, if desired.
  
• Birth/Postpartum fee: 
• $250 to be paid by 3 weeks postpartum. This is usually paid at the postpartum visit.

*I am willing to work out alternate payment plans and low cost services for those in need, as my schedule allows. If you would like a doula, but do not think you can afford one, please consider Small Miracles, Madison's volunteer doula project.