During labor and delivery...
  • Continuous presence
    Once we join you in labor we will stay with you until after your baby is born. We do not expect you to birth within a certain time criteria. (If your birth enters into the marathon-labor category, we may call in a well-rested backup doula to assist you.)
  • Support at home and at birthplace
    Ideally, we will join you at home in labor. Many of our clients want to labor in the comfort of their own homes as long as possible. We will help you to work through your labor at home and assist you in deciding when to head to your birthplace. Making the transition into the hospital or birthcenter will be smoother and your confidence will be increased with your doula beside you and the knowledge of getting through many contractions behind you.
  • Physical comfort measures
    Positioning, relaxation, massage, vocalization--our bag of tricks is extensive! Many moms intuitively know effective coping for labor and we will work with you to make your personal coping style as effective as possible. We will offer suggestions and guidance to you and your partner to increase the efficiency of your labor and to help you deal with your contractions.
  • Emotional comfort measures
    Birth has many unknowns. Your doula has the experience to help you understand and be comfortable with the many unknowns of labor and birth. We trust in the process of birth and will bring patience, familiarity, good communication, encouragement and reassurance to your labor. We became doulas because we love and believe in the process of birth and our confidence and faith in that process will further your confidence. Growing, birthing and raising babies all can benefit from patience; while not medical providers, we are able to prescribe a "tincture of time" and understanding to you if we see your patience wearing thin. We will assist you in communicating with your caregivers; while not able to speak for you, we will help you to get the answers you are seeking as well as remind you to ask questions and advocate for your wishes and needs.
  • Knowledge, information, advocacy and encouragement
    As doulas, we wear the shoes of childbirth educator, cheerleader, mentor, guide, confidant and friend. We will help you get the information you need to make decisions for your birth and then we will support you in the decisions that you make. Often, having a good birth experience is not about having it unfold the way you hoped, but rather by taking an active role in the choices regarding your care. We help you to have a voice in your care and help it to be heard.
  • Engaging and encouraging support people in their vital role
    Once labor begins, our role often becomes one of helping your partner to help you as effectively as possible. Your support people may act as your primary physical and emotional support, emotional or physical support only, or none. Our role becomes one of helping you two to work together to birth your baby in the ways that both of you are comfortable with. We are very adaptable to your situation and will help your support person to feel useful, involved and effective in birthing your baby.
  • Memory preservation through journaling and photos
    Throughout your labor, we will take notes and photos (per your request prenatally). This information will go to you in the form of a birth story and photos. These keepsakes are cherished by families and provide concrete memories from your doula of your special day.
  • Knowledgeable back-ups with the similar philosophy and knowledge
    As an experienced doula in the area, with many other doula contacts, if your labor requires a backup (a very infrequent need), another doula with a similar philosophy and knowledge base will join you in labor. You will have a backup doula who is knowledgeable of you and your needs.
After the Birth. . .