As part of my services, I support any woman giving birth at home, at a birthing center, or in the hospital.    My ultimate goal is to make you feel as supported, comfortable, and relaxed as you possibly can during  your entire labor and delivery.

 

 

My Aims

 

I will support you during your pregnancy, labor and postnatal, in whatever choices you make.

I will provide information to enable you to make informed choices.

I will maintain complete confidentiality of all details relating to your pregnancy and birth.

I will strive to support you during labor to ensure a positive birth experience and to help you achieve the type of birth you would like.

As I am independent and self-employed, I will be working for you, not your care provider or hospital.

I do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or fetal heart rate monitoring.I do provide physical, emotional and educational support. 

 

My Obligations

 

I will draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and communicate with the medical staff to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions during labor.

I can provide reassurance and perspective to you, make suggestions to help labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

I will be on call for you 24 hours a day beginning two (2) weeks before the estimated due date (EDD) up until labor begins. This means that I will carry my cell phone with me at all times, and will not leave the area without advising you unless it is an emergency or an event not known about at the time of the contract signing.

 Once you have requested me to act as your doula, We will arrange at least two prenatal visits. During the first visit we can discuss any questions you might have, sign our contract, and go  over exactly what role you want me to have during your labor. We will discuss birth plan options, your personal information, when you will call me, etc. The second visit will be used to reiterate your birth plan and discuss any new questions or concerns you or we might have. We can make some kind of plan of action for the day you go into labor and practice the positions and types of relaxation you would like to try. At one of these two visits, it would be helpful ifI could also meet your partner if he-she will be with you during labor.

The presence of a doula lifts the sole responsibility of the labor off the shoulders of your partner, allowing him-her to enjoy the whole birth process. I can help your partner to feel calm and informed, giving him-her ideas to continue support from beginning to end. At no time will I "take over" or deliberately exclude your partner. We are there to provide support to both of you at all times. Sometimes a partner likes to stay by mom's side during the whole labor, while others prefer to take a break. Either option is fine by me - this is your birth experience and it is  important that you feel free to decide on what you want at the time.

I will provide birth plan information and consultation.

I will answer questions and make suggestions over the phone any time before labor begins.

I will provide early labor support as requested, including in your home.

I will remain with you once active labor has begun until one to two hours after your baby is born.

I may utilise non-medical support techniques for labor and birth.

I will strive to maintain a calm and peaceful birth environment.

I will assist in providing information and supplying emotional support by telephone on postpartum  care, breastfeeding, and newborn care after the birth, as requested. Please contact me if you  have any concerns. If I cannot help, I will be able to find the appropriate person who can. I will  help to initiate the breastfeeding process, if that is what you choose to do. Please note, I am not a breastfeeding consultant, but will refer you to one if you need it. If you wish to bottle feed your baby, I will help you with the first feeding.

Usually at one day postpartum, I will come and check on you and your partner.I will answer any questions or give you a referral to the proper professional that can meet your needs. A follow-up visit between days 5 through 10 can then be arranged if desired.

All records are personal and confidential.  Nothing will be published on the web site, or in a  scrapbook without your written consent.