Support Throughout Labor and Birth:

¨      Pain relief techniques: massage, hand holding, relaxation, position changes, use of a birth ball etc. 

¨      Emotional Support including encouragement, validation of feelings, and confirmation of normalcy.

¨      We act as an extra pair of hands for the parents by providing practical support for the partner, getting extra pillows, and allowing the partner to take a break. 

¨      Help deciding when to go to the hospital.

¨      Ideas to help labor progress

¨      Initial breastfeeding support

Two Prenatal Visits that include helping you obtain information about labor and birth, discussing your preferences, writing a birth plan, review of laboring positions, review of the birth process, and discussions about labor pain relief.

One Postpartum Visit at your home or hospital to check on how you are doing with the new baby, and to talk about your feelings about the birth.

24 hour on-call availability from your 38th week until you give birth.

                        Services Description

What We do:

During your pregnancy, Birth Expressions will meet with you to help you develop labor support techniques, help you develop a birth plan, and help you find resources so that you can make informed decisions.  We accompany you and your partner (if you have one) through the entire labor and birth, beginning when your labor is well established, and staying with you during the move to the hospital.  We also stay until two hours after the baby is born.  We encourage you to call us even if you are unsure that you are in labor.  We can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone.  Together we decide if we need to join you right then or wait for further change.

During labor, we provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, informational support, and help you communicate with your birthing team.    We can make suggestions for labor progress, help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort.  Birth Expressions will work with your partner to create a calm and positive atmosphere for the birth of your baby. We will also stay with you after the birth and help you settle in with the baby and establish breastfeeding.

At the birth we can decide when you want your postpartum visit.   Birth Expressions will visit you at your home to see how you are doing.  We will also be available to answer any questions you have after you delivery.

What Doulas don’t do:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams.
• Make decisions for you.  We will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.
• Speak to medical staff on your behalf