As your doula, I offer the following:
First Meeting: A face-to-face meeting (I am fully vaccinated for Covid 19 including all boosters) providing information about my services allowing you (or you and your partner) to decide if we are a good match. If you are more comfortable meeting virtually, we will use FaceTime or Zoom. Since it is essential to know that you and your doula are a good fit for one another, this initial consultation is always offered free of charge.
Phone/e-mail/Text Support: I am available to you throughout your pregnancy once we have signed your contract. You are welcome to call, send an e-mail, or text to ask questions about your pregnancy or early labor, or just for emotional support. I have many resources to draw from, including my own collection of birthing books and dvds. I can also recommend the services provided by my colleagues in the Hudson Valley Birth Network — from acupuncture, to childbirth education, chiropractic, and more.
Prenatal Visit – Meeting at your home (masked, if you prefer) during which we discuss your hopes, desires, and any fears about labor and birth. We talk about what it is like to labor at home and at the hospital or birth center and discuss pain management techniques, coping skills, and positions for pushing. We review when to call me and your midwife or doctor and discuss specific signs of labor and its progression so you feel more confident knowing when your labor has begun.
Labor, Birth, and up to Two Hours Postpartum: As of your 38th week of pregnancy, I am considered “on-call” to you 24/7. Should you have pre-term labor, every effort will be made for me to support your labor and birth. If I am unavailable due to illness, birth doula support will be provided by a back-up doula colleague who you will have the opportunity to meet and speak with via FaceTime or Zoom in advance.
I support you and your partner via phone or text at your home from the time active labor begins. When active labor has progressed and it is clear that you should continue your labor at your birthing place, I meet you there, supporting you and your partner through your labor until after your birth to ensure that you and your baby have good skin-to-skin contact and a positive start to breastfeeding.
Postpartum Visit: This final home visit offers an opportunity for us to see one another again and talk about your birth. It is not mandatory, but can be a lovely time for you to recall how labor progressed, and how amazing you were!
Breastfeeding Support: I can aide with initial latching-on after birth and provide breastfeeding support by phone pre- and post-birth. I can also refer you to a lactation consultant, if needed.
I welcome your questions. Please contact me at doulawestchester@gmail.com or call/text 914.815.6723
Birth with Confidence 