This is the most common question that I get asked: What does a doula do? Well there are many different types of doulas each with their own unique skills and personalities so I couldn’t possibly speak for all doulas, but I can tell you what I do as a doula.

Understanding and Connecting with Mom and Partner: My first priority is getting to know mom and partner. What is their history? What are their needs during birth? What are they hoping for during their upcoming birth and how can I facilitate that? I learn these things during the prenatal appointments. I offer 2 prenatal appointments with my services. The first prenatal visit focuses on understanding better their birth history and their birth preferences. Has mom had any previous births and what was the outcome? And most importantly, how would they like things to be different if the outcome did not go as they wanted? From there we discuss their preferences and I am able to offer them resources for birth education, whether classes or reliable websites for evidence based practices. The second visit focuses on learning different comfort measures that we can use during labor ie: counter pressure, rebozo techniques, massage and light touch. We also engage is a relaxation session where I use light touch as well as restorative yoga techniques to help mom relax. This part is especially important so that mom can get used to my touch and feel comfortable with me being physically close to her. If the first time I touch her is during labor, she may find it difficult to relax. The most important part of these prenatal visits is to understand and connect with this partnership so they are more confident and more empowered knowing that I am there with them at their birth.

Supporting Mom and Partner During Labor: At 37 weeks, I am on call. I will have my phone on me day and night. I want to know any and all changes that you are experiencing that could be signs of labor so that I can be ready to come as soon as you need me. I will come when you feel you need me whether at your home, birth center or hospital. My job while I am supporting you in labor is to:

1- Help you feel physically comfortable and emotionally supported: As a doula I have a bag of tools (literal and metaphorical) that I can use to help you be more comfortable during labor. These include a birth ball, a rebozo, a TENs unit, a fan, warm compresses. As well, as counter pressure, massage, position changes and helping mom stay emotionally present and centered during the most difficult moments.

2- Guide you when making decisions about your care: I act as an advisor to you and your partner as decisions come up during labor. I help you weigh the benefits versus risks of an intervention. I inform you of alternative solutions or even help you hone in on your own intuition so you can choose what feels best for you. Having an informed person on your birth team can make the difference between a traumatic birth and an empowered birth. 

3- Support you in advocating for your ideal birth. In our prenatal visits we discuss how you are hoping your birth will be. While no one can guarantee the outcomes of a birth, with a birth plan in place and an understanding of your history and desires for birth, I can be an aid in helping your ideal birth come to fruition. My first step in doing this is to provide a visual birth plan of what we have discussed so that your healthcare team can also know. But often healthcare providers forget or fall into their “routines” or even pressure a couple toward a different option. This can be overwhelming for a birthing couple that is already occupied with all the other aspects of labor.  Many parents feel overwhelmed during labor and delivery. It is my job to magnify your voice even in your most vulnerable moments. And if necessary, be your voice in that moment. My focus is to safeguard your birthing experience so that you may look back at each moment with gratitude, rather than disappointment. 

Going Above and Beyond:

I want you to have an amazing experience with my doula services and that is why I go above and beyond and provide a lot of extras for my clients. 

Foodie Doula:

With my Birth Doula package you will also receive a Foodie Doula 4-Pack. I am proud to be the founder of the Foodie Doula Postpartum Meal Service in Utah. I offer single serving meals for postpartum recovery. Each meal is nutritious, delicious, and convenient for the postpartum lifestyle. Many times moms are so focused on birth that the postpartum preparation is forgotten. And many times, postpartum can seem more difficult than labor. Mom is sleep deprived and both parents are adjusting to the changes of newborn lifestyle. Having nutritious meals ready for you in the postpartum period will ensure that your THRIVE during the 4th trimester, not just survive. 

Birth Photography:

Since I was in highschool I have enjoyed photography and taking beautiful pictures of everyday life. You have the option of allowing me to take photos during your birth. In this moment, I am primarily your doula and that role will always take priority. But I usually manage to get several really nice photos your birth while I support you in labor. I give you all photos that I take and do little to no editing for this service. If having professional birth photography is important to you, I advise you to hire a professional birth photographer. But if you are happy for any photos, I am happy to offer this as an extra to you.

3rd Trimester Tote: Another benefit of my doula services is the 3rd Trimester Tote. This is a large canvas tote bag filled with tools that mom can use during the 3rd Trimester. The tote has belly bands, compression socks, childbirth books, rebozo, a birth ball, a massager, a TENS unit, “Evidence Based Birth” reference cards, the “Fair Play” card deck for couples, and my workbook “Preparing for the 4th Trimester: How to Thrive, not just Survive”. All of these things can be used to either feel more comfortable during the last trimester, to prepare your body for labor and birth, or to prepare for postpartum.

Support in Multiple Languages: Is your or your partner’s maternal language something other than English? I currently speak 3 second- languages: Spanish being my most fluent, followed by French and then Portuguese. Being a language learner I am empathetic and aware of the difficulties of communicating in a second language. Birth is such an important and vulnerable moment, a mother, father or even other supporting person on the birth team needs to have someone who speaks their language on their team. Even if I don’t speak the language that you need support in, I will do my best to learn and understand your language so that you can feel truly supported in birth.