Doula Services

A doula.....

* recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
* understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
* assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
* stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor
* provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions
* facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers
* perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience

Did you know that studies show that moms who have doulas present at their births have 51% fewer cesarean sections, 71% less oxytocin use, 28% fewer epidurals, 35% less narcotic use, 57% less instrumental delivery, 33% less maternal emotional distress, a shorter labor (by an average of 98 minutes) and higher Apgar scores for babies?

I am a private doula available to atttend most births. I have several years of experience (nearly 300 births) and am fully certified by DONA. I am also a doula trainer through DONA, childbirth educator, and a midwifery assistant/student. My services are $800 ($900 starting January 1, 2012) and include:

* one interview session that allows us to get to know each other and helps me to know what your goals for your birth are
* one birth planning and preparation session that clearly defines the way you would like your labor and birth to go, the roles of support persons, newborn procedures, bonding/breastfeeding, and anything else that is important to you
* a belly casting if you would like one done (you must purchase the kit)
* physical and emotional support during labor at home and/or at the hospital
* one post-partum session which includes a discussion/debriefing about the birth and breastfeeding support
* any photographs that I took on a cd (this is only if you give permission)
* continuous contact (generally via phone or email) for the first weeks or the baby's life
* a 15% discount on any products that I carry (cloth diapers, baby carriers, and accessories)

Since I do have a family of my own and because I would never want to miss a birth because of over-scheduling, I only attend 2 or 3 births per month. When you hire me to be your doula, I will ask you to sign a contract. At that time, I will no longer take clients with due dates surrounding yours. I will do my best to be available for your birth!

For more information on having me as your doula at your birth, please contact me at (630) 621-9163 or (630) 940-4608 or via email at lisa@ababynaturally.com. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my services and to fully answer any questions that you might have.

Birth Doula Contract