Birth Doula Services

Our Birth Doula Services

“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical NOT to use it!"
― Dr. John Kendall

Role of A Birth Doula

A Birth Doula "mothers the mother" and provides continuous hands-on labor
support and guidance but does NOT replace labor support person. Have you
ever traveled to a new city and wondered where the best pizza was at? Or
wanted to know what activities/sightseeing adventures were around? You asked
someone for guidance and advice. A Birth Doula is just like this....we are a
"tour guide" who has "been there/done that" and can help offer different
suggestions during labor and delivery such as position changes, movement,
breathing techniques, and massage.
We create a relaxing and comfortable environment to support mom to labor in by providing comfort measures including position changes, birthing balls, and massage techniques. We set the atmosphere like a spa with candles, low lighting, music and essential oils if desired. We help encourage and guide labor partner to help mom with her breathing techniques to get through labor as we guide the family through their many choices and options they desire as outlined in their birth plan.
Benefits of using a Birth Doula includes:
- Reduces the length of labor by 25%
- Reduces the overall cesarean rate by 50%
- Reduces the use of pain medication by 30%
  - Reduces the request of receiving an epidural by 60%
- Reduces the use of synthetic form of oxytocin (pitocin) use by 40%
- Reduction in the use of forceps by 30%
- Reduces a five minute APGAR score less than 7
- Decreased likelihood of negative ratings of the childbirth experience
- Mothers have significantly less anxiety
- Higher breastfeeding rates: More mothers in the doula group were
  breastfeeding (51% compared with 29% in the non-doula group)
- Feeding problems were significantly less in the doula group
  (16% vs. 63% in non-doula group)

Birth Doula Packages

Doula What You Love offers two main Birth Doula Packages.

Everything you see listed below is "Package A".
You will also see an option to add a 3 Hour Welcome session
into "Package B".

Payments

Do NOT let cost stop you from having Birth Doula Support!
- Payment Arrangements can be made!
- You can also build your own customized package
  to fit your needs/budget.
  - Ask Jenn for more information!
Did you know...if you have a HSA or Flex Spending account you
can use these funds to be reimbursed for private birth doula
services? Ask for more information!
Payments can be made via check, PayPal
(halligan.jenn@gmail.com), or Venmo (@Jenn_Halligan)
Combine and SAVE! If you are interested in both Birth Doula and
Postpartum Doula Services, you can bundle your package and save!
Ask for additional details!

Doula What You Love Birth Doula Services Include:

An initial no-charge, obligation-free consultation with Jenn to see if
“Doula What You Love” will be the best fit for you!
2 Prenatal Visits: #1 – Developing Your Birth Plan;
#2 – Labor Rehearsal (assistance in developing your birth plan, including any needed childbirth education (can be done at your home, via Zoom, the hospital, or place of your choice). Jenn will attend Prenatal Visit #1 with your selected birth doula and Prenatal Visit #2 will be done with only your selected birth doula.
Responsive support via phone, text, and email any time after hire until 6 weeks postpartum
by providing resources, education, and referrals for prenatal and postpartum
needs. This can be with Jenn and/or your selected birth doula!
Support at your home in early labor, if desired and appropriate. Most of this
comes from coaching via phone/text with your selected birth doula to
determine when active labor has begun and it’s time to arrive at the hospital.
Continuous labor and birth support in your birthing location.
Continuous hands-on labor support will be provided from your selected birth doula and they will stay for the duration of your labor experience. Whether labor is 8 hours or 12 hours, the fees and continuous care and support you receive are the same!
Immediate support for one hour postpartum (Golden Hour), if desired. Your birth doula will help you with the first feeding whether it’s helping baby latch for nursing or teaching your formula fundamentals.
1 postpartum visit in your birthing location approximately the day after your baby is born. Your birth doula will come to visit and discuss how baby is doing, how baby is healing both physically and emotionally, discuss and process the birth experience, and provide some gifts.
A few of your gifts include.. A copy of your birth timeline, a onesie, treats, and more!
Birth Photography (if desired).
A 3 hour “Welcome Home!” Package – During the first two weeks of adjusting to life with a newborn at home, your birth doula will come visit for 3 hours to help review content, help give suggestions, and advice, and help around the home. ONLY INCLUDED IN PACKAGE B
1 postpartum visit in your home 4-6 weeks after your baby is born. At the end of your postpartum period, your birth doula and/or Jenn will check in with you and see if you would like to schedule another in-person home visit.
Emergency Back-Up Doula Support, if needed.

Our Postpartum Doula Services

Research shows that new mothers have more confidence, less postpartum depression, bond quicker with baby,and are overall happier when additional support is provided during the postpartum time

Role of A Postpartum Doula

A Postpartum Doula is a trained professional that offers
physical, emotional, and spiritual support to a new mother
and the rest of the family. Postpartum Doulas also offer
breastfeeding support, light household maintenance,
family nurturing and instruction to mom and/or other family members in the care of a newborn.
The Postpartum Doula’s job is to make the transition to parenthood easier for new parents, to help mom during her recovery period and to ascertain what the family needs help with and provide the instruction.
The main objective of the Postpartum Doula’s role is not to take over complete care of the newborn, but to educate and support the family so that they will feel empowered to care for their newborn themselves. Postpartum Doulas do NOT offer any medical advice or perform any medical or clinical procedures, but instead can offer parents referrals to appropriate studies and published books. Postpartum doulas are good with children, patient, non-judgmental, and knowledgeable about newborn care and breastfeeding.

Combine and SAVE!
If you are interested in both Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Services,
you can bundle your package and save! Ask for additional details!

ALL Postpartum Doula Packages include:

Assistance will all newborn baby basics care
(diapering, swaddling, soothing, etc.)
Lactation support along with bottle feeding support
Physical, emotional, and spiritual support for mom
Assistance with light housework including laundry, errands including
grocery shopping/pick up, and meal preparations
Assisting with sibling adjustment
Provide community resources such as breastfeeding support groups,
postpartum support groups, lactation consultants, etc.
Care for baby while mother sleeps, showers and rests
Other services based upon family wants/needs

Postpartum Doula Packages:

#1: Flexible usage of 10 hours
#2: Flexible usage of 20 hours
#3: Flexible usage of 30 hours
#4: Additional Hospital Support
#5: Weeknight Overnight Postpartum Support
#6: Weekend Overnight Postpartum Support
#7: Preparing and Transition Back to Work!
#8: Breastfeeding Support Bundle

Additional Services Offered

Looking for specific education and/or services as you prepare for baby? Doula What You Love offers several additional services to help you prepare to THE best birthing possible!

Ask about special “add-on” services including but not limited to…

Photography: Prenatal, Labor and Delivery, Newborn, and Family Sessions
Sibling Adjustment
Dog Sitting/Preparing Your Pets for Baby!
Private Childbirth Education courses
Infant CPR Classes
Lactation Support
...AND MORE!

Contact Jenn: 515-250-8661

Email: Jenn@doulawhatyoulove.org

facebook.com/doulawhatyoulovedsm