BirthCrafter

Serving Portland Metro and Surrounding Areas

Labor Doula Services

 

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Whether this is your first baby, or your tenth, your experience of pregnancy, birth and bonding with your baby are unique.

Before your baby is born, I will provide information and education, as well as support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Along the way, I can help you find information and answer questions about nutrition, what to expect, feeling the baby move, belly mapping, and ways to help relieve common discomforts of pregnancy.

I will be on-call 24 hours a day for the two weeks prior to your due-date until you deliver.   I can be with you as early in labor as you like, and provide whatever support you need.  I can support you directly during labor for comfort measures, relaxation techniques, or just reassurance, or assist your family to support you.  I am also there as support for your spouse and family.  We can discuss ahead of time what services I can provide, and what you expect or hope I can do.

During active labor, you may find your instincts dictate different needs.  I will be as flexible as I can and endeavor to support you in whatever capacity you need.

Additionally I offer these additional services:

Each Doula practice is a little different, but here is an idea of what you can generally expect from me:

Prenatal Visits

 

Consultation (free)  You will meet and chat with your me to learn about Doula services, decide if I am a good fit for you.  This is also the time when the fee is negotiated and the best time to bring up any concerns or questions regarding Doula care.

First Visit:  We can explore your thoughts and feelings about childbirth including what type of birth you would like (hospital, birth center, home birth, water birth, etc.) and prenatal nutrition. We can also explore other options available to you.  We can talk about ways you can learn to trust your body and your ability to birth.  Using a Birth Plan, we can discuss coping skills and positions during labor, and your visions for your ideal birth.  I will be available to you at any time, to help answer any questions you have during your pregnancy via phone or e-mail.

I can also attend a prenatal visit with your doctor, midwife or other health care provider before the birth and discuss their expectations for the birth, as well  as go over any medical tests that you may or may not want to have performed.  I will also explain any procedures or events that may occur during labor, and (if a hospital birth) the tests that are routinely performed on infants and what your rights are regarding them. I can also accompany you to tour the hospital or birth center where you plan to deliver.

Second Visit (if needed): Review of birth plan, meet the partner Doula, and general discussion of any concerns or questions not addressed on the first visit.

 

Labor

For the two weeks prior to your due date up until the birth of your child, I am available to you 24 hours per day.  Upon your call,  I will be able to meet you within 1 hour at all times.  In the unforeseen event that I am unable to meet with you,  my partner (who you will have met on the second visit) will meet with you and assist you until I can arrive.

During your labor I will offer continuous labor support and be with you until approximately one to two hours after the birth to help assist with initial breastfeeding and family bonding. 

 

I can also help your partner with tools to support mom during labor.

 

I will be there to take pictures, run errands, call relatives, provide non-medical pain relief and provide moral and educational support to you and partner during labor.

 

 

Cesarean Birth


In the event of a planned cesarean birth, your “birth experience” may be different than what you hoped for. I can be with you and your partner before and after the birth to provide, reassurance, and help you cope with all the fears and anxieties of surgery. We will talk at our prenatal visit as to your birth wishes and make your birth experience all that it can be.  In most hospitals today only one person is allowed to accompany the mother in surgery, but doula support can be very helpful even if I am unable to attend the birth. I can take dad’s place at mom’s side in the event that dad has to go with baby to the nursery, so mom will never be left alone.  I can be a contact person between the two of you if needed as well.   I will be there once you are out of recovery and can provide comfort measures, breastfeeding support and help you with bonding time with your baby. In the event that you partner is not able to attend the surgery for what ever reason, I can be your primary support person. I offer 6 hours of postpartum services once you are home if there is no on call time before the birth.  Additional postpartum services are billed at an hourly rate of $22.00 and enter into a postpartum contract.
 

Post-partum

As your Birth Doula, I will make two postpartum visits to you and your family, one three days after the birth and one approximately 1 week after the birth.  If you feel you need more visits, or if you are feeling overwhelmed, please call me immediately and we will arrange more visits.

For an additional fee, I may be available to provide postpartum respite care  including light housework, laundry, childcare, errands, mother comfort, breastfeeding support and evening care. 

To set up an interview e-mail me at info@birthcrafter.com

 
Bed Rest or Pregnancy Support


Services are provided for mothers who have been put on bed rest, have limits to their activities, or just need a helping hand before the baby arrives.  My role is much like the role of a Postpartum Doula and is charged on an hourly basis of $22.00 per hour.

 

Private Prenatal Visits and Childbirth Education Classes


I offer prenatal visits, without the on call and birth services.  This is an educational visit that will help you and your partner prepare for labor and birth.  Each prenatal visit is geared to the individual clients needs and is based on the same information presented at my prenatal visit with birth services.  Prenatal visits are $40.00 for the first 2 hours and billed at an hourly rate of $22.00 after that. Usually these visits are a 2 to 3 hours depending on the clients needs.
 

To set up an interview e-mail me at info@birthcrafter.com