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Pre-Natal Visits
1) Complimentary Consultation: This will be an informal and relaxed meeting with you (and your partner) to explain my services and for us to ask questions of each other to see if we’re a good fit. We can meet at your home or anywhere you feel comfortable. No pressure, really! If you wish to continue with me as your doula I will give you an information package and set up the next two appointments. These appointments will help you become more informed about what to expect in childbirth and they give me an opportunity to get to know you and your partner, thus allowing me to be better attuned to your needs during labour and delivery. The purpose of these meetings is to help you decrease your fears and increase your confidence in your body’s ability to birth your baby.
2) Second Consultation: During the second appointment, we will discuss in depth your wishes, thoughts, feelings, and expectations regarding labour and delivery, and my role as a support person. I will help you prepare a birth plan and discuss what choices need to be made during labour. We will go over your decisions for coping with pain, and the possibilities for relaxation, breathing, visualization techniques, and positions for labour. I will walk you through the stages of labour and what to expect at each stage. At this appointment, the contract will be signed.
3) Third Consultation: The third visit will be a hands-on preparation and a more in-depth explanation of coping with the discomfort of labour and delivery. We will review what will happen during your birth experience, and my role within it. We will practice various positions for labour and rehearse relaxation techniques and breathing, which help reduce pain and allow you to work through the contractions. Birth partners are shown how they can be as involved as they wish, so that the birth experience is positive for both of you. This will be a time to address any concerns you may have and the chance to continue getting to know each other.
Unlimited Phone & Email Support
From the moment you hire me, I am available to answer any questions that you may have. I am your first line of contact to ask any questions about your pregnancy or labour, no matter how small or insignificant you may think they are. I will respond within 24hrs, usually much sooner. I’m much easier to get a hold of for questions than your busy doctor or midwife.
I am available to you 24 hours a day, from two weeks before your due date until after the birth of your baby. During the last weeks of pregnancy I stay in close touch with you and offer advice and empathy as you prepare for your birth. In the event that you begin labour before 38 weeks, I will make every effort to be available to you.
Continuous Support During Labour & Birth
During your labour, you will have continuous and constant emotional and physical support, from early labour until after your baby is born. As your Doula, I am there to work with you and your partner to keep you both calm, relaxed and coping well. You will be supported in creating a safe space for your baby to be born. During labour you will most likely go through a full circle of emotions at your birth. On one hand you may feel excitement, and the other, fear. My role as a doula is to help you cope with all the fears and anxieties you and your partner may have. Using an intuitive approach is part of what makes a good doula.
Also being a Registered Massage Therapist I use lots of hands on techniques to help you relax and get into the birthing zone. I also aid in speeding up labour with massage and positioning if need be.
I am also there to help you make informed choices when things don’t go according to plan. I will help you by giving you information about what’s going on, as well as guiding you to ask your health care team all the questions you need to make empowered choices.
I will also help with photography or video of the happy occasion if you so choose and if we have arranged this beforehand.
I will stay around for 2-3 hours after the birth to answer any questions and to help you get your baby breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. I will teach you what a good latch consists of and how to obtain it. A good start to breastfeeding sets up an easier transition into motherhood.
Post-Natal Visit
Immediately after the birth it is important that you have bonding time with your baby. I will be on call for you, and then meet again in your home in the following few weeks to briefly review your birthing experience and my role as your doula. At this time, I can offer any community support you may require for topics such as breast-feeding or the post-partum blues and answer any other questions you may have. I will also show you how to massage your new born baby. Infant massage is a great way to bond with your baby and to help calm and soothe your little one.
BIRTH PACKAGE FEES
As of January 1, 2009, my fees are $1100.00 (+GST). The average client may receive 30 (or more) hours of my experience and coaching. All of the above is included in the package.
Because I am a Registered Massage Therapist, some of or the entire fee may be covered by your extended health plan. Please consult the details of your plan beforehand to find out what is and isn’t covered.
We can arrange any kind of payment plan that works well for you. I also take credit cards (minimal charge applies). I sell gift certificates in any denomination (these make great baby shower gifts).
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