First thing's first... do you Wanda... er, want a doula?
A tender first moment captured.
Why a doula?
A woman’s perception of her birth experience has a significant impact on how she sees herself as a woman, as a mother, and on how she relates to her children. Further, her satisfaction with her birth experience is not only related to the clinical events of her labour. Research shows that continuous nurturing support, true informed decision making, and active participation in the birth result in a positive and memorable experience that leaves the new mother feeling empowered, confident, capable, and strong.
There’s also lots of current research to point out why you might want to consider having a doula. From there you can decide if a doula is right for you in particular. Have a look at the video "The Essential Ingredient: Doula" below for more information on the effectiveness of doula care. If you choose to have a doula you have another important decision to make… which doula. It is very important to have a doula that is a good fit for you. This means interviewing, asking the right questions and (might as well start now), trusting your instincts.
Now about you...
I view the opportunity to support you through your transition into parenthood as an (absolute) honour. I don’t take it lightly. My goal is to become familiar with your expectations, hopes, and concerns about the birth of your baby, through personally tailored prenatal sessions, help you develop the skills and tools to enable you to birth your baby with confidence. I recognize childbirth as a key experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. It impacts us as individuals, as couples, as parents and as a society. How you are treated in childbirth matters.
How we work together...
As your doula I work to become familiar with your birth wishes, provide evidence- based information about ways you can support the birth of your choice, explore any anxieties you may have about your upcoming birth and develop strategies to help you deal with them. We may discuss and practice comfort measures for childbirth, relaxation techniques and explore your intentions and options related to childbirth. Each time I work with a woman or couple it is different- my support is tailored to your individual needs and wants. After the birth of your baby, I provide postpartum care (which varies based on your most immediate needs at the time), breastfeeding support, and an opportunity to debrief about and process the journey with you.
What can you expect?
More specifically, my birth doula services include;
Recognizing that each couples needs may vary and are dynamic, I am open to discussing the terms of a package that would best meet your needs (ie. more/less postpartum or prenatal care, etc).
The investment
$1250 (+ tax}*
*Couples/ women who also take an in depth Childbirth Preparation series prior to their birth or who have had a prior birth may be eligible for a reduced for rate. Couples/ women who have worked with me through a previous birth also qualify for further discount (just because we’re already connected and can hit the ground running this time!). Discounted packages include 4 hours of prenatal birth preparation as well as the usual unlimited contact through phone/ email.
My qualifications
I am a Certified Birth Doula and Certified Postpartum Doula with Doulas of North America (DONA) International and adhere to a strict confidentiality policy, a standardized Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice set out by DONA International. I am an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor (the first in Nova Scotia!), Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Infant Massage Instructor and have taken the CAPPA Lactation Educator training. I am also very proud to be a DONA International Approved Birth Doula Trainer and as such have trained many other doulas! I have been a birth doula since 1999 and began Graceful Beginnings Birth Services as a full-time endeavour in 2008. Not really a qualification per se, but... I really love supporting families in the way that I do! Sooooo....
Wanna meet?
I'd love to meet with your for a no obligation visit. During this time I can answer any questions about my services and doula care in general, and we will get to know each other a bit to see if I am the right doula for you. If not, I work with two back up doula groups, one in HRM as well as on in Truro (both are my service areas) and can connect you to other lovely doulas. You can also contact me for more information about my other services and availability.
A woman’s perception of her birth experience has a significant impact on how she sees herself as a woman, as a mother, and on how she relates to her children. Further, her satisfaction with her birth experience is not only related to the clinical events of her labour. Research shows that continuous nurturing support, true informed decision making, and active participation in the birth result in a positive and memorable experience that leaves the new mother feeling empowered, confident, capable, and strong.
There’s also lots of current research to point out why you might want to consider having a doula. From there you can decide if a doula is right for you in particular. Have a look at the video "The Essential Ingredient: Doula" below for more information on the effectiveness of doula care. If you choose to have a doula you have another important decision to make… which doula. It is very important to have a doula that is a good fit for you. This means interviewing, asking the right questions and (might as well start now), trusting your instincts.
Now about you...
I view the opportunity to support you through your transition into parenthood as an (absolute) honour. I don’t take it lightly. My goal is to become familiar with your expectations, hopes, and concerns about the birth of your baby, through personally tailored prenatal sessions, help you develop the skills and tools to enable you to birth your baby with confidence. I recognize childbirth as a key experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. It impacts us as individuals, as couples, as parents and as a society. How you are treated in childbirth matters.
How we work together...
As your doula I work to become familiar with your birth wishes, provide evidence- based information about ways you can support the birth of your choice, explore any anxieties you may have about your upcoming birth and develop strategies to help you deal with them. We may discuss and practice comfort measures for childbirth, relaxation techniques and explore your intentions and options related to childbirth. Each time I work with a woman or couple it is different- my support is tailored to your individual needs and wants. After the birth of your baby, I provide postpartum care (which varies based on your most immediate needs at the time), breastfeeding support, and an opportunity to debrief about and process the journey with you.
What can you expect?
More specifically, my birth doula services include;
- up to 6 hours of birth preparation in the comfort of your home
- ongoing access to my lending library as we work together
- I am on call for you from 38th week to birth (I'll make every effort to be at your birth anytime, this just means that after the 38th week, I'll be actively ensuring my back up is lined up if I am unavailable)
- unlimited 24/7 phone and email contact- and I mean 24/7... you can call me anytime
- physical and emotional support for your birthing time (we'll talk about what exactly this means to you in our preparation time together)
- up to 2 hours immediate postpartum after your baby arrives, including breastfeeding support
- up to 2 hours postpartum support in your home
- keepsake photos, if possible {I’m your doula first and will take pictures a) if you want me to and b) if I’m not too busy putting your other, more immediate needs, first}
Recognizing that each couples needs may vary and are dynamic, I am open to discussing the terms of a package that would best meet your needs (ie. more/less postpartum or prenatal care, etc).
The investment
$1250 (+ tax}*
*Couples/ women who also take an in depth Childbirth Preparation series prior to their birth or who have had a prior birth may be eligible for a reduced for rate. Couples/ women who have worked with me through a previous birth also qualify for further discount (just because we’re already connected and can hit the ground running this time!). Discounted packages include 4 hours of prenatal birth preparation as well as the usual unlimited contact through phone/ email.
My qualifications
I am a Certified Birth Doula and Certified Postpartum Doula with Doulas of North America (DONA) International and adhere to a strict confidentiality policy, a standardized Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice set out by DONA International. I am an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor (the first in Nova Scotia!), Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Infant Massage Instructor and have taken the CAPPA Lactation Educator training. I am also very proud to be a DONA International Approved Birth Doula Trainer and as such have trained many other doulas! I have been a birth doula since 1999 and began Graceful Beginnings Birth Services as a full-time endeavour in 2008. Not really a qualification per se, but... I really love supporting families in the way that I do! Sooooo....
Wanna meet?
I'd love to meet with your for a no obligation visit. During this time I can answer any questions about my services and doula care in general, and we will get to know each other a bit to see if I am the right doula for you. If not, I work with two back up doula groups, one in HRM as well as on in Truro (both are my service areas) and can connect you to other lovely doulas. You can also contact me for more information about my other services and availability.
Doula support = evidence-based care
"The presence of a Doula is a major advantage for physicians, the
women and their families. They provide a level of support that is
often very difficult to achieve in a busy maternity care service.
We see increased satisfaction with the birth experience,
lower interventionrates and excellent infant outcomes."
-Dr Michael Klein, award-winning & world-renown physician,
scientist, author & leader in the field of normal birth
women and their families. They provide a level of support that is
often very difficult to achieve in a busy maternity care service.
We see increased satisfaction with the birth experience,
lower interventionrates and excellent infant outcomes."
-Dr Michael Klein, award-winning & world-renown physician,
scientist, author & leader in the field of normal birth
What is support?
Support is unconditional.
It is listening… not judging, not telling your own story.
Support is not offering advice… it is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug…caring.
We are here to help women discover what they are feeling… not to make the feelings go away.
We are here to help a woman identify her options… not to tell her what options to choose.
We are here to discuss steps with a woman… not to take the steps for her.
We are here to help a woman discover her own strength… not to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable.
We are here to help a woman discover she can help herself… not to take that responsibility for her.
We are here to help a woman learn to choose… not to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult choices.
~ Anonymous
It is listening… not judging, not telling your own story.
Support is not offering advice… it is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug…caring.
We are here to help women discover what they are feeling… not to make the feelings go away.
We are here to help a woman identify her options… not to tell her what options to choose.
We are here to discuss steps with a woman… not to take the steps for her.
We are here to help a woman discover her own strength… not to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable.
We are here to help a woman discover she can help herself… not to take that responsibility for her.
We are here to help a woman learn to choose… not to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult choices.
~ Anonymous