Certified Labour & Birth Doula
Certifying Postpartum Doula
Services
Free Consultation
My doula service begins with a personal consultation where we meet in a neutral setting (coffee shop etc.) and chat about your birth plan and prenatal or postpartum care. We will cover your concerns, overall health, labour and birth options and preferences. This meeting is designed to introduce you to me and my doula style. I believe there is a perfect doula match for everyone and I would love the opportunity to see if I would be well-suited for you and your needs.
Phone & Email Support
As your doula, I will be available and accessible by phone or email at all times. Should you have any concerns between our scheduled meetings, do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
1-2 Prenatal Visits (L&B); 1 Prenatal Visit (PP)
As your Labour & Birth Doula, we will meet once or twice prior to your birth to see how your pregnancy is progressing. Total health and wellness is my ultimate goal for my clients. I can connect you with other medical professionals and wellness providers (nutritionists, prenatal yoga, massage, holistic/homeopathic specialists) depending on your needs. (More visits available on separate fee schedule).
As your Postpartum Doula, I will schedule one prenatal visit to determine your needs after the birth of your baby.
During Labour
Once labour starts, I will be by your side whether you are at home or in hospital, until your baby is born if that is your wish and I will bring my doula's "bag of tricks" for you to use as you require. I will have on hand your birth plan and any other personal preferences you desire.
Remember, YOU are the team captain and I am on YOUR team!
What Happens After the Birth?
Your baby's birth is your first family event and immediate skin-to-skin contact has proven to be paramount in establishing a beautiful family bond. Immediately after birth, I can help you facilitate the baby's first latch if your plan is to breastfeed. It is recommended the skin-to-skin bonding should last a minimum of 1-2 hours. This time allows you to get to know your new little bundle of sweetness and promotes endorphins to swoon and swirl. This is family time and unless you request my attendance, I will leave you to bond as a family.
As a Doula, I Do Not:
Perform any Clinical Tasks
What's the difference between a Doula and a midwife? Doulas do not perform ANY medical or clinical procedures (blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.). As a Doula, I can be a source of information and a reference or guide. I am not afraid to say, "I don't know the answer but leave it with me and I will follow-up with an answer or options". No two births are the same however I can support you by researching your questions, weighing the benefits and risks to certain procedures and offer you alternatives for your labour and birth.
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As your Doula, I will help you get the information necessary to make informed decisions. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you and your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.
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Postpartum Follow-up Visit
A final follow-up visit will be scheduled at your convenience and the goal is to make sure you and baby are thriving. Bringing home a new baby can be a scary thought but there are many resources available to you. During the visit(s) I will assist with breastfeeding and offer support/information in whatever way your family desires. We may talk about your birth, life with a newborn, discuss community resources or anything else that may be of interest or concern to your family. These visits generally last 2-4 hours. (More visits available on a separate fee schedule).
Make Decisions For You
I am a non-biased, supportive member of your medical team. Whether your optimal birth plan includes medical procedures, epidural, medications, elected or emergency cesarean or it is your choice to have the most natural birth possible, I will be in your corner, supporting you. As a Doula, my role is not to persuade or forcefully influence your choices and decisions. Rather, I will provide the benefits, risks and alternatives to your choices.
Labour & Birth Doula Fees
Fee: $1,200.00 + HST
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Free consult
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2-3 Prenatal sessions (in person or via zoom)
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Labour & Birth
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1 Postpartum session (daytime, max 4 hrs)
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*option to add one more (max. 4 hour daytime) postpartum session for an additional $75 + HST.
**Daytime hours classified between 7am and 7pm.
Cash, E-Transfer or Cheque are all acceptable forms of Payment. Receipts will be issued as required.
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Postpartum Doula Fees
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Daytime or Overnight Rate: $35/hr + HST
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Twin Support: An additional $10/hour
*A non-refundable deposit equaling 50% of the total contract is required upon agreeing to and signing the contact for any postpartum support package.
*The remaining fees will be due at the time of our first session.
*Cancellation of any session/shift by either party can be made up by scheduling an alternate date agreeable to both parties.
*Hours purchased as part of a package must be used within 30 days of contract signing & each visit must be a minimum of 4 hours and maximum of 10 hours.
*Typical nightshift hours are 10pm - 6am or 9pm - 5am or 11pm-7am
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Failure to Provide Doula Services
In the unlikely situation I am unable to attend your birth or postpartum session, I will arrange for the support of a backup Doula. You are welcome to meet your backup at one of your prenatal visits and must inform your primary Doula of any concerns at least one month prior to your EDD. Every effort will be made in advance to advise you of this situation. In instances of rapid labour, or failure to contact me, my fees will remain the same. In the extremely rare case that neither myself or my backup Doula are able to attend your birth due to our error, half (1/2) of the balance of my fees will be returned to you. If your labour lasts less than one hour and I am unable to reach you before your baby's birth, I will meet you at your home or hospital as soon as possible. Should a back-up doula be used for either L&B or Postpartum care, your fees will still be made payable to me and I will reimburse the back up Doula for their services.
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Should a client go into labour and choose not contact me for whatever reason, no refund will be issued for not attending the birth. In such case and in lieu of refund, I can work two additional daytime, postpartum support sessions equalling a total of 12 hours with any one session equalling a minimum of 4 hours and maximum 8 hours.
Speak To The Staff On Your Behalf
You are in control! Your choices matter! My job is to make sure you are heard and understood. When you are in labour and at your most vulnerable, you need to have someone in your corner who can stay the course calmly and confidently.
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If your choice is a hospital setting for your birth, depending on the length of your labour, you may experience a "revolving door" of staff shifts. My goal for my clients is to have a peaceful and calm environment to birth their babies. As a doula, I aim to work cooperatively and respectfully with your entire medical team.
I Am Not A Replacement For Your Partner
My role as your Doula is to compliment your support team. I will not overstep my boundaries and encroach on your partner's role. In my experience, I have been able to work with partners by demonstrating how they can best support you. I can show them comfort and pain reducing techniques so they can actively share in the birth process. I can offer calming reassurance when procedures cause them concern. I am their Doula too!
Postpartum
I'm not able to drive you and/or your baby to appointments or other errands in my vehicle. I can accompany you to medical appointments by riding with you or meeting you at the clinic's office.
I can help with small household chores (dishes, baby's laundry) however, I am not responsible for major jobs around the house (floors, appliances, windows, outside chores).