Welcome!
This website will discuss many of the services I offer. My services include:
*Labor Doula Support
*Postpartum Doula Support
*Childbirth Educator
*Lactation Educator
*Postpartum Doula Trainings (see Trainings page for more info)
LABOR DOULA:
A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The certified doula is trained to deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment, and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "doula".
WHAT DOES a LABOR DOULA DO?
The following is a general description of what you might expect from a CAPPA certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options. A doula can help the woman to determine prelabor from true labor and early labor from active labor. At a point determined by the woman in labor, the doula will come to her and assist her by:
- Helping her to rest and relax
- Providing support for the woman's partner
- Encouraging nutrition and fluids in early labor
- Assisting her in using a variety of helpful positions and comfort measures
- Constantly focus on the comfort of both the woman and her partner
- Helping the environment to be one in which the woman feels secure and confident
- Providing her with information on birth options
A doula works cooperatively with the health care team. In the event of a complication, a doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options the family may have. The doula may also help with the initial breastfeeding and in preserving the privacy of the new family during the first hour after birth.
I offer Labor Doula Services in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. My rate is $1,200
WHAT DOES a POSTPARTUM DOULA DO?
The Postpartum Doula is a trained professional that offers physical, emotional and spiritual support to a new family after the birth of their baby. Postpartum Doulas also offer:
- New mom support
- Breastfeeding support
- Newborn education and assistance (diapering, bathing, etc)
- Baby Calming/Soothing techniques
- Household assistance (baby laundry, light meal prep, etc)
- Nursery management
- Resources and information
- Much, much more!!
Rates for Postpartum Doula services are as follows:
Singleton (1 baby): $30 per hour daytime/ $35 per hour nighttime
Twins/Multiples: $35 per hour daytime / $40 per hour nighttime
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION:
As a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator, I follow CAPPA's Philosophy on Childbirth when teaching my classes. This philosophy states, "CAPPA celebrates the fact that the human body is designed to support
pregnancy and give birth safely and normally the majority of the time. When
women have the information they need and a supportive environment, pregnancy,
childbirth, and breastfeeding can unfold without unnecessary and unwanted
interventions. When families are educated about all of their options, they can
make decisions that reflect their healthcare needs and their personal values.
In most situations and for most women, childbirth without intervention is
the safest way to give birth. CAPPA recognizes and appreciates the fact that
medical advancements and technologies are important tools when needed. CAPPA encourages women to trust their bodies throughout
the perinatal experience. CAPPA professionals are trained to dispel myths about
pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding.
CAPPA believes that all women have the right to make informed
decisions regarding their options throughout pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum,
and breastfeeding. CAPPA supports and encourages families to choose healthcare
providers and the place of birth that most reflects and supports their values
and needs. CAPPA trains professionals to provide unbiased education. The CAPPA Approach does not use guilt as
a motivator but instead encourages families to make intuitive and informed decisions.
CAPPA professionals have the opportunity and responsibility to help parents
recognize their own values without imposing their own personal biases."
