A doula offers steady, non-judgmental support through all the twists and turns of pregnancy, birth, and the early days of parenting. While medical staff focus on your clinical care, a doula focuses on you — your comfort, your choices, your experience.

While I believe the true value of a doula can’t be fully captured by statistics, research shows that having a doula can significantly improve birth outcomes.

One study comparing doula-assisted and non-doula-assisted births found that people who hired doulas were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, more likely to have a higher newborn Apgar score, and much more likely to chestfeed successfully.

Another recent meta-analysis found that people who hire a doula are 68 percent less likely to undergo a cesarean delivery.

Another study found a 31 percent decrease in dissatisfaction with the birth experience.

You can read more on the evidence of doulas here.

We would have two to three prenatal visits in which my primary focus is to establish a sense of trust and safety. We can talk through your intentions for the birth, fears, interventions, and coping strategies. I can serve as an educator, advocate, listening ear, planner, and companion.

Examples of what my support can look like at the birth (we can plan this at the prenatals!):

• Physical: soothing touch, massage, counter-pressure, supporting you in optimal labor positions (one of my favorite parts of the job!), pushing techniques & guidance

• Mental & Logistical: taking items off your mental load (including your basic needs such as being nourished, hydrated, using the bathroom), helping you prepare your what to bring to the hospital list, making a postpartum plan

• Emotional: validating and witnessing your experience, talking through your fears, celebrating your wins, being a sounding board for the full spectrum of feelings, debriefing the birth story

• Autonomy: creating pauses so that you can make decisions with full understanding and consent (the hospital often operates with urgency), helping you create a birth plan and advocating for those choices

• Informational: walking you through the stages of labor and what to expect, letting you know your full range of options (especially in the hospital setting), talking through interventions and pain support

• Environment: setting the lighting, preparing the bathtub, bringing your favorite smells, placing a hot/cold pad, arranging the bed and pillows, organizing your supplies

• Partner support: encouraging them to take breaks and care of themself, plug them into comfort measures for you (counterpressure, soothing touch, a cold washcloth on your shoulders), validating their experience, being a source of information and comfort (especially for first time birth partners!)

We then would have a postpartum meeting in which we can debrief your birth story, reflect on how things are going, and troubleshoot problems that you’re having. I am happy to make referrals to providers that can support you postpartum depending on your needs (lactation consultants, pelvic floor therapists, family doctors, bodyworkers, etc), and I also love working with clients post-birth as a postpartum doula.

Postpartum also looks similar to birth in that I adapt to what your needs are in the moment. Sometimes you’ll know exactly what you need, and other times I’ll notice where extra care might help—Have you had a shower recently? Want me to hold the baby while you rest? How about I change your sheets, make you some tea, or tidy up the kitchen?

My postpartum care can include:

• Infant care: feeding support, diaper changes, soothing, sleep guidance, etc.

• Physical, emotional, mental, logistical, and informational support.

• A safe space to process your birth journey.

• Support in helping you feel comfortable and cared for: light massage, yoga or meditation, light housekeeping, holistic food preparation, or assistance with rituals, ceremonies, or intention-setting.

• Community resources and referrals when additional support is needed.

I accept Quartz insurance, which covers doula care through Pacify.

Some employers offer Carrot Fertility funds as part of their insurance package—I accept these as well.

You may also be able to use FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account) cards, depending on your insurance plan.

Everyone deserves a doula, no matter your financial status. Please let me know if cost is a barrier, and I am happy to offer a sliding scale or payment plan that accommodates your needs.

Both!

I offer non-judgmental care, trusting that you know what’s best for your body, spirit, and baby. I don't believe that there's any right way to birth, and I am here to help you explore your full range of options.