I offer 3 different labor doula packages: Hospital, Homebirth, or Virtual Birth Support. My in-person support services in Lake County, IL and the surrounding area (typically, a 25 mile radius from Libertyville, IL). Please email me at [email protected] to ensure availability (include your due date, where you live, where you are delivering, who your provider is, and if you have had a previous vaginal delivery).
Virtual Doula Support Package: $850
Virtual introductory visit/interview (free)
Support via email, phone, or text during pregnancy
One prenatal visit at approx. 36-38 weeks
Birth preference planning
On-call from 38 weeks until birth
Virtual labor support (can be continuous from active labor until birth)
Back-up doula for emergency coverage
1 virtual postpartum visit, generally 45-60 minutes
Full access to WeeHuman.com virtual classes & support: childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding, mind & body wellness/meditation, & support meetups
Hospital Birth Doula Support Package: $1,500 (discounts available for midwife use and previous clients) Homebirth Doula Support Package: $1,100 (discount available for previous clients)
Complimentary introductory visit/interview
Support via email, phone, or text during pregnancy
One prenatal visit at approx. 36-38 weeks
Birth preference planning
On-call from 38 weeks until birth
Physical, emotional, and informational labor support during active labor and delivery, until approx. one hour post-birth to assist with bonding and early breastfeeding. This can include physical support at your home before heading to the hospital or birth center.
Back-up doula for emergency coverage
Postpartum visit, generally 1 hour
Full access to WeeHuman.com virtual classes & support: childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding, mind & body wellness/meditation, & support meetups
Why have a doula?
From the CAPPA website (link): What is a Labor Doula? A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The certified doula is trained to deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment, and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "doula".
What Does a Doula Do? The following is a general description of what you might expect from a CAPPA certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.
A doula can help the woman to determine prelabor from true labor and early labor from active labor. At a point determined by the woman in labor, the doula will come to her and assist her by:
Helping her to rest and relax
Providing support for the woman's partner
Encouraging nutrition and fluids in early labor
Assisting her in using a variety of helpful positions and comfort measures
Constantly focus on the comfort of both the woman and her partner
Helping the environment to be one in which the woman feels secure and confident
Providing her with information on birth options
A doula works cooperatively with the health care team. In the event of a complication, a doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options the family may have. The doula may also help with the initial breastfeeding and in preserving the privacy of the new family during the first hour after birth.
What are the benefits of having a doula?
According to Mothering the Mother, How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, by Kennell, Klaus, and Kennell (1993), having a doula can give you a:
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse
Dads and Doulas
Moms often wonder, why do I need a doula when I have my husband? They also worry if their husband will feel displaced by the presence of another person at this intimate experience.