Tender Gifts Doula Services
What a Doula Does:
I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and
satisfying birth
experience. i draw upon my knowledge and experience to provide
emotional support, physical comfort, and communication with your health
care provider to ensure you have the information needed to make
informed decisions in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective
to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help
with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort.
I am independently self-employed. As your doula, I am working for your,
not your caregiver or hospital/birth center.
Choosing your Doula:
I prefer to meet with you and your partner at least once before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. At that time, we can discuss fees. This initial meeting does not obligate you to use my services.
Scope and Limitations:
As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc. I am present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional eupport and advocacy. I won't make decisions for you. i will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.
When you are in labor:
I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide at this time whether I should come to your home right then or wait for further change. I usually need at least thirty minutes to an hour to get to you from the time you request my presence. Except for extraordinary circumstances, i will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.
After Birth:
I usually remain with you for one to two hours, unless you are comfortable and your family is ready for private time together. I can also assist you with breastfeeding, if necessary. I am available by phone or email to answer any question you may have. I would like to meet one last time within one to two weeks following your birth to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role.
Breakdown of Services
(talk to me about making an individualized plan)
- Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth.
- Emotional support
- Exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy and childbirth more comfortable
- Nutritional counseling
- Help with preparation of a birth plan
- Massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures
- Positioning suggestions during labor and birth
- Support the partner so that s/he can provide support and encouragement to the laboring woman
- Help to avoid unnecessary interventions
- Help with breastfeeding preparation and beginning
- Is present during entire labor and afterwards as long as is needed by parent(s)
- Conception counseling
- Belly casting
- Birth story
- Candid Photography
