Birth Doula Role
Every birth is unique, and every family deserves a calm, nurturing space in which to welcome their new baby into the world.

As I doula, I believe in helping families find their *best* birth as they define it. Welcoming a child into the world is a such  tremendous, amazing, transformational process! I want to honor the sacredness of that experience - and support families in whatever way they need that will help smooth the transition.  

What is a Doula?

  • A doula accompanies a woman in labor by providing physical, emotional, and educational support.
  • A doula works for us, not our care provider or the hospital.
  • A doula does not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or fetal heart rate monitoring.
  • A doula will help us make decisions by providing information and support, but will not make decisions for us. Likewise, a doula will encourage us to communicate with our care providers, but will not communicate with them on our behalf.
  • HBBS doulas follows DONA's Standards of Practice.
 

PRENATAL PREPARATION
Before birth,  your doula and your doula will get to know each other while exploring your options for birth and postpartum, discussing any fears or concerns, and practicing ways to make your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period joyful and comfortable. Two prenatal visits recommended for first time parents, one for repeat parents.  Your doula will:
  • Learn from you about your vision, values, and concerns about birth and postpartum
  • Assist you in expressing your preferences in your birth plan
  • Help you find answers to questions you have about pregnancy, childbirth, birthplace procedures, or newborn care
  • Learn what support would be morst helpful to you and your loved ones
  • Practice comfort measures and relaxation techniques
  • Help you develop a newborn and postpartum plan and connect you with whatever resources you need
  • Parents can attend the Partner Prenatal Yoga or Working with Labor Pain workshop with Sarah in lieu of one prenatal visit

LABOR & BIRTH SUPPORT
Continuous, compassionate physical and emotional support as you bring your baby into the world. Your doula will:
  • Honor your wishes and values for your birth and postpartum
  • Provide continuous, hands-on physical and emotional support during labor, including listening, encouragement, facilitating communication with your care provider, suggesting positions, providing massage, coaching breathing and other comfort techniques to encourage relaxation and promote labor, and supporting your partner.
  • Hold space for your and your partner to labor your way and make decisions
  • Continue to support you after birth, to assist with immediate postpartum, breastfeeding, and other needs
  • Take photos during labor and immediately postpartum, if you want them

POSTPARTUM
Home visits to help with self-care, newborn care, breastfeeding, and processing the birth.  And we bring homemade lactation cookies!  Two visits recommended for first time parents, one for repeat parents. Your doula will:
  • Assist with common breastfeeding questions and concerns
  • Check in with you about self- care for you and your partner
  • Support you as you get to know your baby and learn about newborn care and behavior
  • Assist with newborn care and household tasks
  • Help you process your birth experience
  • Be available 24/7 phone/email/ text to support you for the first month postpartum