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Family Centered Doula Care
What exactly does a Doula do?
As a birth doula, Jenny accompanies women in labor in person and virtually to assist them in attaining their best birth experience. She is able to draw from her professional training, knowledge, and experience to provide emotional support and physical comfort, and facilitate communication with staff so that you can make informed decisions as they arise in labor. She can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. Jenny is independent and self-employed.
As your doula, she is working for you, not your caregiver or birth facility.
Prenatal
Jenny gives a free 15-minute consultation before you register and schedule prenatals. She meets with moms and their families either in person, or virtually if preferred, at least twice before labor. Ideally prenatal appointments are scheduled anytime between 32-37 weeks, but don’t let that stop you getting a doula later than that! The purpose of the prenatal meetings is to become more acquainted and discuss birth preferences and concerns. We discuss and write your birth plan on a form we use together; these forms also provide parents with necessary information to know for the birthday! We also chat about your own unique ways of coping with discomfort or fatigue and how I can help you and your partner work together. At this time we also choose a backup doula in the rare chance that Jenny can’t be with you at the birth. Depending on your situation, we may decide on additional meetings if needed. We will then remain in touch by telephone, email, or text until you go into labor. Jenny is also always available to discuss any concerns you may have about your pregnancy, labor, or birth.
Labor
Jenny will be on call for you from 37 weeks until you give birth. Call her when you think you are in labor, and y’all will take it from there! In early labor, she can answer questions and make suggestions by phone. Then when labor has progressed (to contractions around 5-6 mins apart) she usually joins you depending on your desires or needs, whether it is in the hospital or out of the hospital. Then, once you get to your birthplace (hospital, birth center, or home), she stays with you providing advice, positions changes, and encouragement until your baby is born!
After the Birth
Jenny will remain with you in person or virtually for one to three hours after your birth, or until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet bonding time together. She can also help with initial breastfeeding and bonding! As always, Jenny is available by phone or email to answer questions about the birth or your baby. Once you arrive back home, she will schedule a follow up postpartum appointment to see how you and your baby are doing, review the birth, and help you with any breastfeeding concerns or tips you may need. But the relationship does not end there! Jenny loves to hear from her families to see how their babies are growing and thriving!
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A doula does NOT...
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Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. We are there to provide only physical comfort and emotional support.
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Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. We will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan.
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Speak to the staff on your behalf. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff.
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Replace the spouse or partner. Doulas see families as an entire unit and serves them all!
*Please Note* We will not attend a planned unassisted birth.
Financial Investment
Your $900 investment includes:
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2 individualized prenatal visits where we talk about your desires, concerns and comforts for birth and labor
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On call support by phone and text from 37 weeks until you birth
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Birth plan for you, partner, and baby
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Labor support at home, if desired, and at your birth place
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Breastfeeding support in the immediate postpartum (right after birth)
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1 postpartum visit to discuss your birth and any postpartum concerns or plans
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Breastfeeding consult (typically done at postpartum visit)
Jenny was such a treasure to have for my fifth birth. Even being a more "experienced" mom, this was my fourth VBAC and second unmedicated birth, the presence of a doula was still high on my importance list. Jenny was so intuitive when it came to my needs, yet she melted into the background and gave my husband space and encouragement to support me. For this birth, it was the little things that mattered, she definitely covered those bases and more. I am so grateful to have has her present at our birth and even more so to have a trusted placenta encapsulationist.
— Hollie D., Doula and Placenta Client
