The word "doula" is Greek and means "woman caregiver". Another term that is often used is "personal labor assistant". A doula is someone who is trained to assist women while preparing for labor and birth (Labor Doula) and in the postpartum period (Postpartum Doula). During labor and birth the doula helps with positioning, comfort measures, and supports the woman's partner. The doula does not replace the woman's partner, she is there as an addition to the birth team. At the hospital the doula can help protect the woman and baby's environment and help establish breastfeeding. If postpartum help is needed the Postpartum Doula can give further assistance with things such as breastfeeding, help with light housework, and meal preparation.
Did you know....
Being supported by a labor doula can:
* Reduce the time you are in labor by 25%.
* Reduce the need for pain medication or assisted vaginal delivery.
* Lower your chances of a c-section by 50%.
* Increase success with breastfeeding.
* Reduce the incidence of postpartum depression.
Being supported by a postpartum doula can:
* Give you greater self-confidence.
* Increase success with breastfeeding.
* Less apprehension and fatigue during the first few weeks.
Are there things a doula will not do?
Yes!
* Clinical tasks - Checking fetal heart tones or maternal vital
signs, checking Baby's position, vaginal exams, helping hospital
staff operate equipment, uterine massage post-birth, etc.
* Offer medical advice.
* Speak to the hospital staff or your care provider on your behalf.
* The postpartum doula will not transport you and/or your baby.
* Make decisions for you.
Services and Fees
I attend hospital and home births in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Doula services include a free interview. This meeting is for you to meet face-to-face, ask any questions you have, and look over my contract. Should you decide to hire me, when the contract will be signed a $150.00 non-refundable deposit for doula services or a $250.00 non-refundable deposit for monitrice services will be due.
It is my desire that every woman be able to empower herself and her partner through education regarding pregnancy, labor, and birth and that she have birth and postpartum support.
I accept cash and checks. If you have a Flex Spending account, you may be able to use that to cover the fees.
All fees are subject to change without notice.
Doula Services
The fee for doula services is $400.00. When a contract is signed a $150.00 non-refundable deposit is required. The balance is due on or before 36 weeks.
Services include:
- Four prenatal visits including:
- Discussing your wishes for labor and birth
- Discussing the role in which you desire the doula to have during your labor and birth
- Help in developing a birth wish list
- Comfort measures
- Relaxation practice
- Various positions for labor and birth
- General overview of the labor and birth process (this should not replace a childbirth preparation course)
- Learning how to make informed choices
- Email and phone support between 8:00am and 8:00pm
- 24/7 email and phone support starting three weeks before your due date
- Labor and birth support
- On-call for you starting two weeks before your due date
- Continuous labor support
- Helping Dad/partner with comfort measures during labor and birth
- Up to two hours postpartum care at your place of birth
- One postpartum visit
Monitrice Services
Monitrice services are similar to that of a doula. The difference being the monitrice provides clinical support while the mother is laboring at home. This includes monitoring maternal blood pressure, pulse, monitoring fetal heart tones, and checking cervical progress as requested. When the woman arrives at the hospital the monitrice serves as a doula only, providing no clinical support. This is an option that is often chosen by women who wish to labor at home as long as possible before arriving at the hospital.
The fee for this service is $600.00. A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is required at contract signing. The balance is due on or before 36 weeks.
Services include:
- Six prenatal visits including everything listed above plus keeping a record of maternal vitals, fetal heart tones, and fetal position
- 24/7 support beginning three weeks prior to your estimated due date
- On-call for you starting two weeks before your estimated due date
- Continuous labor support
- During labor at home, monitoring maternal vitals, monitoring fetal heart tones, and when requested, checking cervical changes
- Helping partner with comfort measures during labor and birth
- Up to two hours of postpartum care at your place of birth
- One postpartum visit
For more information on doula and montrice services please use the Contact Us link above.
