Doula Services

Birth Doula Services:

  • Initial consultation that lasts approximately one hour.

  • Use of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding related books in my lending library

  • Telephone support to answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding your pregnancy and upcoming birth.

  • One to two prenatal meetings: I would like to get together with you and your partner at least once before the birth of your baby in order to get to know each other better, to discuss your preferences and to learn how I can better assist you in labour.  

  • Twenty four hour on-call availability for your birth. I will be on-call and available for you from three weeks before your estimated due date until two weeks after.  If your birth occurs outside of those parameters, I will of course, do my best to attend.

  • Telephone support during the early phase of labour.

  • In-person, continuous labour support either at home, birth centre or the hospital once you are in active labour and requiring assistance, until after the birth of your baby.  This care includes emotional, physical and informational support; guiding you and your partner through labour, suggesting comfort measures and position changes to help labour progress and enable you to remain open to the process. 

  • Initial breastfeeding support within the first few hours after the birth.

  • Telephone availability for newborn, breastfeeding, postpartum questions when required.

  • Postpartum meeting  at a time that is convenient to you - usually several weeks after the birth.

  • A copy of your birth notes.


 

Optional Services

Photography: 

  • Birth/Postpartum Pictures:  Pictures, to your comfort level, of the birth and immediately after the birth (mom’s reaction to the birth, partner cutting the cord, baby being weighed and measured, newborn checkup, first nursing, the new family etc.) includes between 40 – 120 digital images (on a DVD) as well as 36 black and white prints in 4 X 6 size. 


Breastfeeding Support At Home: 

  • If you encounter unforeseen difficulties with breastfeeding, I am also available to come to your home for a private breastfeeding consultation.

Benefits Of Continuous Doula Support in Labour

Proven benefits of a doula:

Decreased medical intervention in labour

  • Reduces need for cesarean by 26%
  • Reduces the need for forceps or vacuum extractor by 41%
  • Reduces use of pain medication by 28%
  • Reduces dissatisfaction with birth by 33%
  • Reduces length of labour

 6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

  • Less anxious and depressed
  • Had more confidence with baby
  • More satisfied with partner
  • More likely to be breastfeeding    
Findings of Hodnett’s et al meta-analysis of 15 trials from N. America, Europe, and Africa. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003.
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