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» Doula Services
» Postpartum Doula Services
» Monitrice Services
» Classes
» Belly Casting
» Breastfeeding Counseling
» Preparation for Birth Consultation

Services

Gift Certificates are available for all services. I accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Credit card payments are accepted through Paypal. Please call 443-703-9887 or email me before paying for any class or service to ensure availability.

Photo courtesy of www.pattiramos.com

Birth Consultations
This is a new service for families who are not sure if they want a doula and simply wish to find out the options available to them for their birth experience. This two hour consultation can take place in the privacy of your home, my York office or at The Healing Path in Baltimore.

Topics are completely chosen by you, however some examples are creating a birth plan, finding a care provider and birthplace that is in keeping with your wishes for the birth, a postpartum plan etc.

If you choose to use me as your doula or for monitrice services after the consultation, you will recieve a $50 credit towards doula or monitrice services.

Cost: » $100

Labor Doula Services:

What is a Doula?
The word Doula (doo'la) is Greek and means "women's servant". It has now become known more clearly as a woman who is "experienced in childbirth who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth."

The Benefits of Doula's
Over thirteen scientific studies have proven the following benefits of having a Doula present:

• 50% Reduction in Cesarean Sections
• 60% Reduction in requests for epidural anesthesia
• 40% Reduction in the need for Forceps or assisted Delivery
• 25% Shorter Labors
• 40% Reduction in the need for Oxytocin
• 30% Reduction in analgesia use
• Fewer Cases of Postpartum Depression
• Increased success with Breastfeeding
• Increased confidence and participation by the father/partner

Suggested reading for more information on doulas:

• The Doula Book by Kennell, Klaus, & Kennell
• The Thinking Women's Guide to Better Birth by Henci Goer
• The Birth Book by Dr. William Sears

What About The Father/Partner?

Photo courtesy of www.SMPHOTO.org

Sometimes fathers/partners worry that having a doula will take away from their role during the birth. I recognize, encourage and respect the valuable role father's and partner's play during the birth process and I work with the father/partner to provide the support that the mother needs during her labor.

Labor Doula Services Include:

• A no obligation interview so that you are sure I am the right doula for you
• An information packet full of resources for new and expectant parents
• Two additional pre-natal meetings
• Birth plan assistance
• 24 hour availablility throughout your pregnancy and initial postpartum period for questions
• Continuous support throughout your labor, delivery, and initial postpartum period
• Two postpartum visits
• Back-up doula coverage by certified and experienced doula's
• Access to an extensive lending library of books, videos, and magazines
• Pictures of the birth and/or of the baby and family members after the birth
• Breastfeeding support
• All clients who choose to breastfeed will recieve an information bag, personal instruction after delivery and six weeks of lactation consultations at no extra charge

To each birth I bring with me a birth ball, aromatherapy scents, massage tools & oils, hot and cold packs, a breastfeeding pillow & products, a disposable camera, a tape/cd player, an emergency childbirth kit, meditiation/calming music, a copy of your birth plan, doppler, & any other personalized items that you request for your birth. Each couple chooses what items they feel will comfort and help them during their birth! Labor Doula client's do not need to take an additional childbirth class as we will cover much of the same information in our prenatal meetings.

For couples who wish to labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital, the monitrice option might be the best option for you. Please click here to learn more about Monitrice Services.

Cost: » $800.00^*
*Please contact me if this fee is a financial hardship as I am willing to work with your particular needs.

Insurance Reimbursement:
There is no guarantee that your insurance will reimburse you for Doula Services, however I have all of the paper work that is necessary to submit a claim and am willing to do so per your request.

Postpartum Doula Services:
This new service is to help meet the growing demand from clients for additional postpartum support. For many new parents as well as growing families, making the transition to life with an infant can be challenging and full of questions, fears, and wonder. For families blessed with multiples the transition can seem that much more overwhelming.

As a Postpartum Doula my role is to help provide resources and support to help you find your own comfort and confidence as a parent.

Postpartum Doula Services may include the following based on a families needs:

Pre-natal Meeting to create a postpartum plan. You will also receive an information packet full of information and local resources for new parents. (If you do not contact me durng you pregnancy I am still more then happy to work with you!)

Day Time/Evening/Weekend Care:

• Instruction on Newborn Care
• Lactation Counseling/Instruction
• Newborn Behavoir
• Evaluation of Postpartum adjustments for both mothers & fathers to rule out Postpartum Depression.
• Infant Massage Instruction (Additional $40 fee)
• Preparing food for mom.
• Postpartum Massage for mom (additional $40 fee per one hour massage)
• Laundry
• Running Errands
• Light Cleaning/Straightening
• Integrating older children to life with the new baby
• Caring for your infant(s) so that you may rest, shower, eat, etc.

Overnight Care Available at a rate of $30 an hour. Minimum of 8 hours. I am accepting Postpartum Doula clients beginning late August 2006.

Monitrice Services:
As a Doula I am bound by my scope of practice to not perform any type of clinical skills. Through my experience working as a student midwife, I have gained the skills to be able to provide a Monitrice Service option to interested families.

Monitrice Services include everything that my Doula Services include with the addition of offering specified clinical skills. For couples who wish to labor at home as long as possible my monitrice services will be able to provide you with:

• Fetal Heart Tone Monitoring via a Doppler
• Blood Pressure Checks (if needed)
• Urine Tests (if needed)
• Basic Monitoring of Vital Signs
• Help Determining Babies Position

Cost: » $900.00^*
*Please contact me if this fee is a financial hardship as I am willing to work with your particular needs.

Classes:

Group classes are held monthly in York, Lancaster and Baltimore.

Private classes are in your home at your convenience. If you organize a group class in your home, you receive ½ off your tuition! Group classes include four or more participants.

Please call 443-703-9887 or email for more information on group or private classes.

Childbirth Education/Breastfeeding Classes
A combination Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding Class is held the First Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Quarryville Birth Center. The cost is $60. Private and Group Childbirth and Breastfeeding Classes are also available, please email or call for more information.

Some of what you will learn include:

• Writing a Birth Plan
• Comfort Measures
• Unexpected Outcomes
• The Postpartum Period
• Class participants receive a bound hand out of information.
• Benefits of Breastfeeding
• Common Problems and Solutions
• Returning to Work

Cost:

» $60

Infant Massage Classes
Private classes and group classes are available please email me for more information.

Infant massage is an ancient art that promotes:

• Bonding
• Brain Development
• Muscle Coordination

• Ways to calm and soothe a Colicky, Gassy, or Constipated Baby
• Over twenty different Massage Strokes and how to adapt them as your child grows.

Belly Casting
Belly Casts are a wonderful way to remember your round, pregnant belly! Belly Casts can be done at your home or at my office. They take roughly 45 minutes to make and then they will be you ready for you to decorate as you like.

Belly Casts can be made during a baby shower or blessing way, call or email for more information.

Costs:

Hands & Belly: $75
Hands, Belly, & Breasts: $100

Breastfeeding Counseling
Breastfeeding your baby helps ensure that your baby is getting the healthiest and best start possible! If you have questions or need help I am available 24 hours a day to assist you.

Counseling Fees^*:

• Phone and email consultations are free.
• $75 per hour for office visits at The Healing Path in Baltimore, Maryland.
• $100 per hour for home visits. In home counseling is available 24 hours a day.

^* If any of the above fees pose a financial hardship to you please let me know, no one will be turned away who is in need of breastfeeding help!