What You Can Expect

Families can receive as many or as few visits as they wish, depending on their needs. Generally, I suggest the following schedule of visits to ensure adequate support:

Prenatal Visits

Visit 1: Introduction and Assessment

• Get to Know Each Other: Discuss my role, the doula-client relationship, and expectations.

• Gather Client Information: Review medical history, pregnancy details, and birth preferences.

• Initial Education: Discuss what to expect during pregnancy and labor, including signs of labor.

• Resource Sharing: Provide resources (books, websites) for education.

Visit 2: Birth Preferences and Planning

• Review Birth Plan: Discuss and refine your birth plan, including preferences for progress of labor, environment, and support.

• Discuss Support Team: Identify who will be present and their roles.

• Comfort Measures: Introduce techniques for supporting labor (breathing, relaxation, positioning).

• Q&A Session: Address any questions or concerns.

Visit 3: Labor Preparation

• Labor Signs and Timing: Review signs of labor and when to contact me or your healthcare provider.

• Practice Techniques: Go over comfort measures, including massage, acupressure, and visualization.

• Discuss Hospital/Birth Center Procedures: Review any hospital policies or procedures that might affect your birth plan.

• Finalizing Plans: Ensure everyone involved is clear on the birth plan and preferences.

Visit 4: Final Check-In and Postpartum Planning

• Emotional Support: Address any final concerns and provide emotional support.

• Postpartum Preparation: Discuss plans for postpartum recovery, including support for feeding and rest.

• Logistics: Confirm labor support logistics (when to call, transportation).

• Wrap-Up: Reiterate my availability and support.

Labor & Birth Support 

During labor and delivery, a variety of support services can be offered, designed to help make the experience as comfortable and positive as possible. These services typically include:

• Emotional Support: I provide continuous encouragement, reassurance, and empathy, helping to reduce stress, discomfort and anxiety during labor.

• Physical Comfort Measures: This may include massage, counter-pressure, guidance on breathing techniques, and assistance with changing positions to help manage the powerful sensations of labor and to support it to progress as naturally as possible.

• Advocacy and Communication: I help communicate the birthing person’s preferences to the medical staff, ensuring your voice is heard in a hospital or birth center setting. I can also help answer questions and explain medical terms to the family and other support people as needed.

• Information and Guidance: I offer information on what to expect at different stages of labor, helping you understand what’s happening and feel more in control.

• Partner Support: I can involve and support the partner or other family members in ways that make them more comfortable, showing them techniques for helping the birthing person or giving them breaks when needed.

• Creating a Calming Environment: I may suggest ways to create a calming atmosphere, such as dimming lights, playing soothing music, or aromatherapy, tailored to the birthing person's preferences.

• Continuous Presence: Unlike medical staff, who may come and go, I commit to staying with the birthing person throughout the entire labor and delivery process, providing consistent, one-on-one support.

Postpartum Visits

Visit 1: Postpartum Support

• Check-In: Assess how you are feeling physically and emotionally.

• Discuss Birth Experience: Allow you to share your birth story and any feelings about the experience.

• Physical Recovery: Discuss recovery, including healing and any physical concerns.

• Feeding Support: Provide support for breastfeeding or feeding choices.

• Resources: Share resources for postpartum care and community support.

Visit 2: Ongoing Support and Resources

• Follow-Up: Continue checking in on emotional and physical health.

• Address Concerns: Discuss any ongoing concerns (sleep, adjustment to parenting, etc.).

• Encourage Self-Care: Emphasize the importance of self-care for parents.

• Future Planning: Discuss any upcoming needs or plans for continued support.