Birth Doula Support
As a birth doula, I provide support to families through the journey of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
This support encompasses your physical, emotional, and informational needs during the childbearing year.
Doula support is not only for crunchy home birth families or for folks who are seeking an unmedicated natural birth (though, of course, I love those kinds of births & supporting them!). It is also for birthing parents planning a Cesarean, or planning to have an epidural, or planning to have an elective induction. Doula support can create a more positive birth experience with any kind of birth.
I am here for you, whatever path your birth may take.
What does doula prenatal care look like?
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To me, the most important part of prenatal care is building a relationship with the families I serve. We do that through spending plenty of time together, ideally meeting for four prenatal sessions spread out across the span of pregnancy.
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Our first prenatal meeting includes plenty of education around your choices in birth, discussing your preferences and choices in detail.
For prenatal number two, I accompany you to a doctor or midwife's appointment, helping to build the birth team as a unified group with the sole purpose of helping support you in your best birth as we talk together about your desires for birth.
The third prenatal includes hands on education, teaching different exercises and positioning that can increase comfort in pregnancy and labor.
Our final prenatal includes a belly henna art session, if desired, to make you feel beautiful during your final days of pregnancy.
What does labor support look like?
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Labor support looks like... helping out with whatever you and your partner need throughout the birth process!
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Early labor support is usually done via phone or text, as we assess how things are going and how quickly labor is seeming to progress. When you feel like active labor is getting going, I will join you at your home or the hospital, whichever you prefer.
Once admitted at the hospital, some of the support I provide is physical -- hip squeezes, massage, cold washcloths are just a few physical support options. I also love helping make the labor room cozy through twinkle lights and essential oils diffusing. If labor goes long, I help support your partner in case they need a bathroom break or short nap (there are many great ways that doulas support the birth partner as well as the birthing person!.
If you opt for an epidural, I am able to help with different positioning we can do in the labor bed in order to help keep things progressing.
If decisions need to be made through the birth process, for example if an unexpected complication arises, I can help guide you through getting the information you need to make a decision that feels right to you.
For folks having Cesareans, whether planned or unplanned, I am often (though not always) allowed in the OR as a second support person in addition to your partner. I am able to take photos of your birth in the OR, help you remain calm and grounded during surgery, and provide companionship in case your partner needs to leave the OR to go to the nursery or NICU with baby.
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In short -- my support during labor looks like whatever YOU need.
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Complete Birth Doula Support Package, $1800*
One birth plan building prenatal session
One birth rehearsal prenatal session
One prenatal session accompanying you to a doctor appointment
Henna belly painting session
The gift of a handmade Mexican rebozo and support in learning to use it
Unlimited contact through phone, text, and email
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Access to birth, breastfeeding, & gentle parenting lending library​
Continual support during active labor
for both the birthing person as well as the birth partner
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Use of essential oils & diffuser, back massager, and other comfort tools during labor
Hydrotherapy support birth tub add-on available
(pending hospital and doctor approval)
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One postpartum visit to debrief after the birth experience
and offer support and resources for postpartum needs
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*Discounts offered for families choosing home birth, military families,
and mothers who qualify for Medicaid:
Home birth fee: $1500
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Medicaid-qualifying families fee: $1200
Military family fee: $1400
Payment plans are also available if there is a need.
Please contact me for more information on eligibility.
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Black and white photos by Camilla Alves Photography
"Having a doula for the birth experience is so important,
and it was a life saver for me as a first time Mom.
Kirsten did an amazing job preparing my husband and I for the big day.
She worked with us ahead of time, establishing trust and communication so that when it came time for delivery we were all on the same page.
She is extremely attentive to her clients
--anticipating what they need before, during, and after the birth."
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-- Emily
"Kirsten is the most loving, kind hearted and genuine person there is.
Her love for birth and her gentle spirit is contagious.
I felt like I had known her for years during my pregnancy and birth journey because she was able to offer me so much comfort in every way.
Because of her, I was able to birth the way I have always dreamed
without fear or hesitation."
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-- Shelby