Welcome to Tender Gifts Doula

What is a Doula? Answer from Wikipedia.

A doula is an assistant who provides various forms of non-medical and non-midwifery support (physical and emotional) in the childbirth process. Based on a particular doula's training and background, the doula may offer support during prenatal care, during childbirth and/or during the postpartum period. A birth doula may attend a home birth or might attend the woman during labor at home and continue while in transport and then complete supporting the birth at a hospital or a birth center. A postpartum doula typically begins providing care in the home after the birth. Such care might include cooking for the mother, breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, errands, light housekeeping, etc.

Studies have found that birth companions, offer numerous benefits both to the mother and child. Women with support have a reduction in the duration of labor, less use of pain relief medications, lower rates of operative vaginal delivery, and, in many studies, a reduction in caesarian deliveries. Newborns in supported births have lower rates of fetal distress and fewer are admitted to neonatal intensive care units. In addition, one study found that 6 weeks after delivery, a greater proportion of doula-supported women, compared to a control group, were breastfeeding, and these women reported greater self-esteem, less depression, and a higher regard for their babies and their ability to care for them.

Althea Hrdlichka is an Arizona doula that provides prenatal, birth and postpartum support with tenderness and compassion.

Learn more about Althea, the services she provides and schedule a free initial consult today!

 

About Althea Hrdlichka

I believe the most beneficial training I have is being a mother to my four beautiful children. I understand the trials and emotions throughout pregnancy, the ups and downs of laboring and child birth (medicated or non-medicated), and the restless nights/days caring for a newborn in the first delicate weeks postpartum. In addition, I have been trained and equipped with the knowledge it takes to provide optimal birth and postpartum doula care, for you, your partner, and your newborn through Birth Trust Doula Services. I have found through my pregnancies that my enjoyment and satisfaction with my pregnancy was, in a large part, dependent on the support I received, often in the form of knowledge of pregnancy issues and how best to deal with them. This is why I have chosen to follow my passion to help support and care for women and their newborns during their journey through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. i look forward to providing this knowledge to you and your partner, providing an opportunity for a wonderful and satisfying pregnancy. there is nothing more wonderful that bringing new life into this world! Sincerely, Althea

 

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 support 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

 

Mother's Life Tea

I sell two types of tea that have many benefits for pregnant and nursing mothers. the Raspberry tea is for before conception, pregnancy, and birth. The Nursing tea is only for mother's who have already given birth. Here are the benefits:

Decreases profuse menstrual flow
Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system
Increases fertility (give it to your man too!)
Alleviates morning sickness and nausea
Assists labor
Makes delivery easier
Relieves after pains.
Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth.
Used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor Increases and enriches milk for lactation (Nursing blend is especially made for this).

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing. Half pound bags of the Raspberry blend are $8 and one pound bags are $14. For the Nursing blend, half pound bags are $9 and one pound bags are $16.

 

Contact Me

You can contact me by phone or email.

(928) 925-3912

althea.hrdlichka@tendergiftsdoula.com

 

Poem about Childbirth

Woman to Child

 

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