| In Due Time Doula Services |
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| Labor Doula Services |
| Postpartum Doula Services |
| What is a Labor Doula? The word “doula,” Greek in origin, has come to mean “birth assistant” or “labor coach”. They should not be confused with a midwife who provides medical care. Instead, labor or birth doulas provide physical, emotional and informational support to women and their partners before, during and immediately after birth. A doula’s continuous reassurance combined with comfort measures such as massage and advice on labor enhancing techniques can decrease pain and anxiety for the laboring mother. Several studies indicate that a doula’s presence can contribute to shorter labors, fewer complications, reduced rates of Cesarean sections and fewer requests for pain medication. The ultimate goal of the labor doula is to help each woman have a fulfilling childbirth experience on her own terms. Doulas do not perform any clinical duties, nor is it their place to make any judgment calls. They help clients make their own decisions by getting them the information they need in terms they can understand. A labor doula’s services typically include a couple of meetings before the due date to prepare for the birth and establish a relationship with the woman and her partner. As the due date approaches, the doula is on-call for her clients. She arrives during labor and stays with the woman until after the birth. Once mother and baby are settled in at home, usually a couple weeks after the birth, the doula meets with the family once more to process the whole experience. I work with couples in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys and will support them wherever they choose to deliver: home or hospital My fee for labor doula services is $950.00 and includes: *1-2 prenatal visits *assistance in creating a birth plan *access to my book and video library *24/7 phone support from the time of hiring through delivery *attendance from active labor through delivery *1-2 hours of immediate postpartum support to assist with breastfeeding *follow-up visit once family is home to talk about the birth *Birth story for the baby |
| What is a Postpartum Doula? Postpartum Doulas are trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn characteristics, care, feeding and development, and the promotion of parent-infant bonding. They are experienced in supporting families through their postpartum experience. Coming into the home during the fourth trimester following birth, the doula’s role is to provide education, non-judgmental support and companionship, and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tasks. Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and can make appropriate referrals when necessary. The doula can serve as a "buffer" for new parents, who receive a great deal of unsolicited and possibly outdated advice. The doula can help friends and family members to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new parents. By modeling a deep respect for the wisdom and decision making abilities of the new parents, she makes clear that supporting them in their own choices will have the best possible results. By dedicating herself to the family in this way, the doula validates and enhances the parents’ intuitive ability to nurture and encourages them to develop and implement their own parenting style. I work with families in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. If I am unavailable to assist you, I will be happy to give you referrals to several postpartum doulas that meet your needs. My fees for postpartum doula services are: Singletons (1 baby): $30 per hour for daytime work $35 per hour for nighttime work Twins or multiples: $35 p/ hour for daytime work $40 p/ hour for nighttime work |
| Darla Burns CD, CPD, CPD-Trainer, CCCE, CLE, CHBE (661) 294-5009 darla@douladarla.com |