Birth Doula Services
Birth doulas can help mothers and families prepare for the arrival of their new little one by supporting them prenatally, during labor and birth, and for a brief post-partum integration session.
Prenatal Support
Stacy meets with each family at least once (ideally 3-4 times, if time allows) before the birth to help each person become clear about what THEIR hopes and vision are for their birth experience. While a particular birth experience can never be guaranteed, becoming clear about what you want to feel, how you want to be treated and how you want to labor and birth is the FIRST step to manifesting the birth of your dreams. We will talk about routine procedures that you will be offered by your provider along with your rights to decline or further discuss any treatments or interventions. Stacy also has birth plan templates available to help you better communicate with your provider.
Labor & Birth
Beginning at 37 weeks of your pregnancy, Stacy will be on-call around the clock to answer any of your questions or concerns, or to help you gauge how far along you may be in your labor process. Early labor can often last several hours, if not days, so having a patient, experienced doula can help you navigate questions like “is this normal??!” or “is this “real” labor??”
Once you have entered “active labor”, Stacy will stay with you until your baby is born. Doulas are wonderful emotional and spiritual supports for women during the challenges and joys of labor. Doulas are also very important in assisting with position changes or recommendations, should your labor process be slower, more painful, or different than what you had expected. Various comfort techniques, such as hot or cold therapy, light-touch or relaxing massage, guided hypnosis or relaxation, breathing techniques, and so much more, can be used to help you manage the experience of labor and avoid unnecessary interventions.
Once your baby is born, Stacy will remain by your side for the following hour or two, helping to establish breastfeeding (if so desired), and easing the transition to early postpartum.
Postpartum Integration
Having a baby marks the beginning of a very important and powerful transition; whether becoming a mother or father for the first time, or changing family dynamics with another child, this transition takes time. Stacy visits each family she supports in the days following the birth of their baby to discuss their experience of the birth and early postpartum days. Mothers and fathers often find they have so much to say and share in this visit together and a very special bond is made during the time we spend together at your birth, making this visit extra sweet. Most parents have questions about some aspect of their birth or how to approach a new parenting conundrum. Taking this time to reflect and “debrief” is an essential step for the new family in this transition to their new normal.
Set up a complimentary consultation
Email:
sacredearthbirthworks@gmail.com
Phone:
(907) 738-1773