Jeanna is available for due dates between Feb and April 2010.

Conclusive studies prove the use of a trained doula during labor and birth decreases the risk of cesarean by an average of 60% and decreases the use of narcotics and epidurals in labor, which may be harmful to both mom and baby. A doula’s care, “mothering the mother,” has also been proven to improve breastfeeding rates, increases satisfaction with the experience of motherhood, and enhances the relationship between mom and dad in the postpartum period.

Mindful Mama Birth Services offers a flexible doula package to meet the needs of each birthing family. Usually, the arrangement includes two prenatal visits, attendance at the birth, and one postpartum visit. Communication via telephone and email is unlimited and encouraged to be on a daily basis as we near your due date. At the first prenatal visit we will go over your birth plan and discuss ways of achieving your goals in the chosen place for birth. In our second meeting, we will practice a variety of labor positions and comfort measures. Prenatal visits usually last two to three hours, so there is plenty of time for you to ask questions, express concerns, and most importantly for us to get to know each other.

My on-call period is from 38 weeks until you deliver. During the on-call period, I am accessible by phone 24 hours a day. I am able to make it to your birth within two hours, and usually can arrive within a half hour to 45 minutes during the on-call period.

Often, prodromal labor can last hours or even days. Your doula will come to your labor when the contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together, and you decide you need her. In most circumstances, she comes to your home and follows you to the birthplace when you feel you are ready to go. At your home, she provides you with comfort measures such as massage, position changes, application of heat or cold, walks, food and drink, emotional nurturing, and other relaxation techniques. In the hospital, she can continue most of these comfort measures (as the hospital policy will allow), provide you with information about procedures the staff suggests, and stay with you continuously for emotional support and reassurance, except for brief bathroom breaks, and in the case of a very long labor, brief food breaks. She will not leave you unless a family member or friend is with you, so that you will have continuous support.

After the birth, your doula remains with you until you are transferred to a postpartum room and feel comfortable there. She generally stays to help you with the baby’s first breastfeeding. Usually, this length of time is about two hours after the birth.

In the postpartum visit, usually seven to ten days after the birth, you will have the opportunity to discuss your feelings about the birth with your doula. She will review postpartum resources in the area as they pertain to your needs. She can assist you with any breastfeeding issues you may be having and with household tasks, such as laundry or cooking. This meeting lasts about three hours and you can suggest the most helpful way for your doula to serve you at this visit. Additional postpartum visits can be arranged as needed at an hourly rate.

In addition to the visits outlined above, a “coffee date” can be scheduled for you to meet the back-up doula. There are very few reasons why your primary doula would not be able to attend your birth, but we always arrange back-up in the case of unforeseen emergencies.

Your doula is available to meet your needs during this amazing life transition. This may include taking pictures or video, bellycasting at a prenatal visit, running errands during the birth if needed, or providing a support person for older children during the birth of their new sibling.

Mindful Mama Birth Services regards you as an individual, and as such will work with you to create the perfect package to meet your needs. We recognize birth to be an intimate and transformative experience in your life and realize that experience and training are second to personal rapport. We encourage you to set up an initial meeting, free of charge, to see if we are a good match for you.