“Providing emotional, physical, and informational support to a laboring woman and her partner.”
Historically in our society, women gave birth surrounded by their mothers, sisters and other female family members. When our culture moved birth out of the home and into the hospitals, we gained a lot of medical expertise, however, we took away female centered support from the laboring woman. We left women alone to labor in a highly medicalized environment. Having the father’s presence and support is invaluable, yet there is something very important and powerful about women supporting women through the journey of birth. This is where a doula fits into our modern society. A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the laboring woman as well as her partner. She is part of the birth team and helps the journey run as smoothly as possible from first contractions at home to the birth of the baby. She does this by supporting, encouraging, explaining and comforting. She also acts as an advocate for the couple in the hospital setting if that becomes necessary. She is there to offer her expertise in whatever way the laboring couple most needs and desires.
My Services
In our initial consultation we will get to know each other and discuss your needs, concerns and options. This is a chance for you to get to know me and see if I am the doula you would like to work with. I will usually meet you at a coffee shop near your home. In our second meeting we will go over your birth plan and discuss how I can best support you during your birth. We will discuss any fears, concerns, desires and wishes you have for your birth. This meeting will take place when you are at approximately 36 weeks and will last up to 1.5 hours.
Throughout your pregnancy, I am available by email or phone to provide support and answer any questions that you may have. I am on call for you 24/7 starting three weeks prior to your estimated due date until you give birth. Our final meeting is a follow-up appointment that takes place within two weeks of your baby’s birth. We will talk about your experience and I can answer questions you may have about your birth, other desired resources or about breastfeeding.
Please contact me for my rates at heather@thegracefulbody.com
How I became a birth doula
I have been working in the movement therapy field for 10 years, teaching The Alexander Technique, Yoga, and Pilates. The first birth I attended was that of a good friend of mine. I was amazed by the process and wanted to get more involved. But it was finding myself supporting a 17 year old girl through labor in Africa last year that left me inspired and passionate about wanting to pursue this work back home. I have loved supporting my clients and their partners through their labor and birth. I am always honored to be a part of the process, with whatever kind of birth experience it ends up being. I enjoy bringing my knowledge of movement, breath, and awareness to a laboring woman to greater help her find her own way through the journey and discover her own inner strength and faith in the birthing process.
My role at a birth is designed in collaboration with the mother and father and whoever else will be present. For some births, I am just a calm, encouraging presence in the corner of the room in a very hands off way. For other births, I am hands on the whole time with massage, acupressure, and comforting touch. It is up to the couple as to how they want to use me and up to me to inform them of what is available and what I can do for them. Together we create the birth team and work alongside each other to have the best birth experience possible.
“Heather, Your dedication, compassion, and calming influence made all the difference to us. I can’t imagine her birth without you. Thank you again. “
– Janice