Servicing the beautiful Okanagan

 

Doula and Prenatal Services

 

Doula Services

As a doula, I usually meet with clients once to see if we are compatible then one or more times to discuss your birth preferences, goals and to plan how we might best work together. I will want to become familiar with your desires, including your preferred labour management options, the use of pain medications, helping you formulate a birth plan if desired and your preferences for newborn care. It is also important for me to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue. Informational / educational support is another aspect we can cover. Many families want to review comfort measures, breastfeeding and/or baby care. I am available by phone or email if you have questions or need resources from my lending library.

Once you enter your possible “due” time, I have my cell 24/7 and can usually be with you in 30 to 45 minutes. During labour I will support you through the intense process of giving birth, comforting and soothing. This may include massage, position change suggestions, heat or cold, counter pressure, use of a rabozo, the shower or whatever we find that helps you through. Reassurance that you are safe, strong and capable is also important. I will remain with you until your little one is born and nicely settled with you, usually a couple of hours. Often moms find a visit in the hospital for help with breastfeeding useful. We always meet one more time to make sure things are going well and to give you your “Birth Story”, a record of your birthing process.

Doula Services include:

• Meeting to discover if we are compatible
• One or two meetings to discuss preferences and birth plan
• Use of my lending library
• Availability for phone or email questions
• 24/7 on call from 2-3 weeks before your due date until Baby is born
• Support throughout your labour and birth
• Two visits after Baby is born
• A ”BirthStory” a written record of the birth process

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Prenatal Instruction Services

Private, small group or refresher prenatal classes are available at an hourly or package rate. During these sessions we discuss the important issues and evidence-based research that apply to the last few weeks of pregnancy, the birth process and the first few weeks after Baby is born. Whatever your viewpoint, learning about and exploring the birth process will empower you to move forward into this new phase of life with confidence and strength. These classes are tailored to your specific needs and may include;

• Learning and practicing proven pain coping skills
• The stages of labour and birth
• How to know when you are in labour
• Medical supports and interventions
• Enabling Dads and other supporter to help the labouring woman
• Coping with unexpected or unwanted events in labour
• Preparing for postpartum, after Baby is born
• Breastfeeding
• Newborn care