gentle journeys

Birth Services Include:

• 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 prenatal visits, aiming both to develop a relationship as well as explore your choices and your needs.
• Help writing a birth plan if you wish
• Prenatal 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
• Back up doula, if needed (rare!)
• Sibling support, if discussed prior to your birth.
• Immediate postpartum support, and initial breastfeeding
• Two postpartum "check in" visits, at about 24 hours and one at 2- 3 weeks postpartum.
• Phone and email support in the first weeks of parenthood.
  
• Lactation support and referrals
• A second doula (in training) if desired.

Labor support includes:

• Emotional, physical and informational support at home or hospital
• Support at home in early labor
• Position suggestions
• Relaxation techniques
• Support for your partner and/or others attending the birth
• 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 services is $600.

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 program.