Birth Rhythm Doula services begin with an initial 90 min. consultation at no charge to get acquainted. Birth is a very intimate event and we want you to be completely confident and comfortable with the Doula you choose. Together we will identify your personal birth philosophy, and desires for your up-coming ‘birth’day. If our services are not a perfect ‘fit’ for you, we can help you to connect with other Doulas in the area.

 

Prenatal

Your prenatal visits will include:

· A minimum of two 90 min. meetings to explore and discuss your health status, priorities, fears or concerns and plan how we will best work together.

· We will discuss in detail your preferences and options for pain management and hospital routines.

· The Labour Intensive Birth Support Skills workshop ( 4 hrs ) will teach you and your partner hands on coping skills to manage each stage of labour with confidence!

· Designing your personal birth plan is an important exercise for decision making and prioritizing. We will help you shape your birth plan to reflect your personal birth preferences.

· Full ongoing support via telephone at any time if you have any questions throughout your pregnancy. ( 4hours of telephone and email support up to six weeks post-partum)

 

Labour & Birth

· We are available to you from the onset of labour. During early labour, if you prefer, we will answer questions and make suggestions over the phone.                                                   

· We will come to your home, or the hospital to support you, whenever you feel you need us.  For two weeks on either side of your ‘due date’ we are on 24 hour, “on call” duty.                    

· We will support you during the labour and birth, both physically and emotionally, with respect to the discussions and plans we have made during prenatal visits.

· We will provide positive diplomatic communication with your heath care providers. Should unexpected circumstances arise we will be by your side to help you navigate medical terminology, pros and cons, and options, always keeping in mind your personal ’birth plan’.

Professional Birth Support

After the Birth

· We will remain with you until you are comfortably settled on the maternity ward.  If you are leaving the hospital directly after the birth, we will return to your home with you to ensure you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. We will assist with initial breastfeeding if you desire.

Postpartum

· We like to visit you in the hospital one day postpartum if you are staying more than 24 hours

· We make a home visit 1 - 2 weeks postpartum to see how you are doing, review your birth and get some feedback from you about our role.

· We are available for phone contact to answer questions about your birth or baby up to six weeks postpartum

 

Important Note

 

As Doulas we do not make decisions for you!

· We will help you find the information necessary to make informed decisions. 

· We are not licensed to perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure readings, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, urine tests or measurements.

· As your Doulas, we are working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.

· We remind you of your choices and present balanced information about any procedure you may come across.

· We respectfully support the decisions you make for your birth.

 

 

 

Through pain find strength

Through birth find healing

It is never easy to keep reaching for dreams

Strength and courage can sometimes be lonely friends --

But those who reach, walk in stardust.          

-Favia

 

 

“It’s hard to imagine that it wouldn’t sound good to any woman— consider hiring a doula”

 

-The Mothering Magazine Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth 

Specialized Services

Our Complete Birth Doula Package

Contact us: birthrhythms@shaw.ca