Birth Doula Care

The birth of your baby is one of the most incredible, powerful and memorable events in your life!  My intention when working with you is to make your transition into parenthood as smooth as possible by supporting you in a way that allows you to reflect on your birth experience with pride and the knowledge that you made the best decisions you could in any given moment.  Whether you choose to birth at home or in the hospital, if you are using a midwife or a doctor, with or without pain medications, my role is to provide the birthing mother and her partner with consistent physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, labour and postnatal.  
 

Prenatal Care:

Prenatal care is all about getting the "team" prepared!  We will meet twice for approximately 2 hours in the comfort of your home.  Each client is unique and we customize our appointments to serve you in the best way possible.  Some of the things that we may spend time on are:

• looking at the impact that fear can have on the bodies natural ability to birth and come up with a new strategy for managing fear

• exploring what "coping" looks like for you

• learning and practising pain-coping techniques
   
• learning what comforts our birthing mother and specific techniques that her partner can use during labour to support her
   
• learning how your home can support you during labour   
   
• encourage our inner child to come out and make some birth art!!   
   

Labour and Birth:

Labour and birth support begins before you are truly in labour!  Leading up to your due date I will be in communication about what is happening with your body and the signs that your body is starting to get ready to labour. Once you are in labour, I will join you wherever you are and the teamwork begins.  What you can expect from me...

• physical comfort measures; massage, positions for labour and optimal fetal positioning, acupressure, relaxation and breath awareness techniques, specific suggestions (if need be) to get partner involved

• emotional comfort measures; for both mom and her partner, acupressure for anxiety, soothing voice with supportive words and a sense of humour
   
• informational support; answer questions, ensure that you have the best opportunity to make informed decisions in a time frame and environment that you feel comfortable
   

Once your baby has been born (horray!),  we work together on early bonding with your baby and to establish breastfeeding.  I typically stay with you until you have been transferred to your postpartum room to ensure that you are "tucked in" and ready for your intimate time as a new family.
 

Postnatal Care:

Postnatal time is busy and often filled with balancing visits of loved ones and learning about the unique needs of your new baby.  We have two postnatal appointments together, also in your home.  I connect with you once you are home, or am happy to provide additional support to you in the hospital if need be, and we typically typically have our first prenatal appointment within 24-48 hours of you arriving home.  During our time together some of the things we may spend time on are:

• reflecting on the birth experience

• checking in on how feeding/breastfeeding is going
   
• learning baby care techniques; bathing, soothing, swaddling, changing diapers...
   
• finding additional support resources, if necessary
   
• love and adore your beautiful baby!
   

Please contact us for more information!