During Pregnancy

I offer three prenatal meetings during your pregnancy to get to know each other and help you prepare for your upcoming birth.

The first meeting typically focuses on all things labor and birth. I’ll get to know what your hopes and fears are and assist you in creating a birth plan, if that’s something you desire! This meeting can take place anytime, but ideally before your third trimester.

The second meeting focuses on all things postpartum including: healing, lactation/feeding, newborn care, and making a support plan. We may also revisit your birth plan and practice comfort measures that can be used during labor. This meeting ideally takes place sometime between 28-32 weeks.

The third meeting usually takes place close to your birth, and is intended to meet your most pressing needs at that time. This could be bodywork to encourage baby into a more optimal position, more in-depth lactation support including collecting colostrum, preparing your home/nursery for baby’s arrival, setting up your labor/birthing space, or cooking you a meal. If for some reason we aren’t able to schedule this meeting before baby’s arrival, I’ll add an additional postpartum visit with you.

During Birth

In case of spontaneous labor: We’ll text/call/facetime in the early parts of your labor and I’ll join you once your labor progresses to the point of needing my physical support. I’ll help you identify when it might be time to head to your birthing space (unless you’re already there!) I’ll stay with you through your labor until 2 hours after baby is born.

In case of scheduled induction: I will go to the hospital with you to help you navigate the planning of your induction and ensure your desires are communicated to your medical team. I’ll be available by text/phone/facetime during the earlier parts of your labor (which are typically more restful), and join you when things get more active. I’ll stay with you through your birth and two or so hours after.

In case of scheduled C-Section:

I can arrive with you at the hospital and answer any questions that may arise as you prepare. If I am allowed, I will be with you in the operating room and will provide emotional and informational support through your belly birth. I will stay with you after and help initiate baby bonding and ensure you are set up well for the rest of your stay. For scheduled C-section clients, I offer an additional postpartum visit.

Postpartum

I will visit you twice in the two weeks following your birth to help process your birthing experience, answer questions about lactation and newborn care, and provide some support (meal, household, body— whatever you are needing!)

First, schedule a free consultation with me (‘contact’ tab) where I can answer any questions you may have and see if we are a good match! After we chat I typically send a sample of my contract for parents to review and fill out. If you choose to move forward with me, you can send back a filled out and signed contract! I do require a $500 deposit to reserve my time, but it is applicable towards your first invoice. :)

My aim is to provide a safe space where you can feel radically accepted and fully immerse yourself in your labor and birth. I tend to take up the role of friend, nurturer, and caregiver and only step into the role of guide, expert, or teacher when it is requested. I believe you know your body and your baby best, and I am there to support you, advocate for you, and be your sounding board.

I previously worked as a nanny and was enrolled in grad school to become a mental health counselor. This didn’t feel like the perfect fit, but I wasn’t sure a role existed that combined child development, education, family systems, mental health support, and community building like I desired. I had a limited idea of what a doula was but started asking around and became more and more intrigued. I took a leap and dropped out of grad school and dove into doula world. Turns out it was everything I had been searching for!

Nannies are focused entirely on baby and are typically knowledgeable about the needs of babies 12 weeks and older. Some nannies have experience with newborns and some may work as a night nanny. There are also ‘newborn care specialists’ who have extra education and certifications around newborn care.

‘Doulas’ focus more on the wellbeing of the birthing person and the family as a whole. While newborn care can be a large part of doula work, we focus on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and that first 12 or so weeks of newborn development.

There are of course exceptions to this! There are nannies that focus on the whole family and doulas who are particularly well versed in newborn care. What matters most is finding a provider that is the right fit for your family. :)

Here’s a peek behind the curtain: About a third of our income goes towards taxes and business costs. This work also comes without guaranteed hours, healthcare, sick time, or PTO, so there is some cost associated with that. We give better care when we are able to take care of ourselves.

I believe I charge fairly and provide a good value to my clients. I also believe everyone deserves a doula! I am happy to offer reimbursement through Medicaid and Carrot for birth+postpartum services.

I have high hopes that doula work will be covered by private insurance in the near future. In the meantime, I offer sliding scale and volunteer shifts for those who find the cost outside of their budget.