Doula Services

Doula

Birth Keeper

Placenta Specialist Lactation Support

Birth Options Educator

Womb Knowledge Coach

viktoriouswomen@gmail.com

(253)-370-8661
Facebook @viktoriouswomen
Text, Messenger, Call, or Email me to set up an appointment. 

As a birth doula, I provide emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner and/or family during her labor and delivery. I can also facilitate communications with your care provider to ensure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques you desire for your comfort. I have my phone available if you desire photos/video, but I am not a professional photographer. I am independent and self-employed, and so, I am working for YOU, not your care provider or place of birth.

Before Birth:
I will meet with you and your partner for two prenatal visits before labor to
become acquainted with you; discuss your priorities, and any fears or concerns; present evidence-based information on the risks and benefits of common interventions and procedures used during childbirth; discuss your birth plans; and plan how we might best work together. I will also inform you of times when I am unavailable for labor support. We may also decide on other meetings, and I will be available for phone/email communication. I will be on call for your birth, and I will make every effort to be there. If you like, I can also help you write a birth plan based on your needs/wants as communicated to me. I will bring a copy of your approved birth plan with me to your place of birth.

During Labor:
I ask that you call me when you think you are in labor even if you do not
need me yet. This gives me time to clear my calendar and secure childcare for 48 hours. I can answer any questions you may have, make suggestions over the phone, and wait for further change. I ask for approximately one hour to get to you from the time you ask me to come. Once you call me and let me know you would like me to be there to support you, I will make every effort to be there within one hour. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.

After Birth:
Circumstances permitting, I will remain with you for up to four hours after
birth. I am available to answer questions about the birth of your baby, feeding
questions, help with clean-up and provide emotional support. We will also schedule a postpartum visit at this time. Your postpartum visits consist of answering any questions, reviewing your birth experience, talking about feeding and baby care, and getting feedback from you about my role.

Limitation of Services:
I am a doula, not a medical provider and as such I am not able to diagnose,
treat, or prescribe for any health condition.
1. I do not perform clinical tasks such as taking blood pressure, fetal heart
checks, or vaginal exams. I do have supplies for you to do these things for yourself if you desire, but I cannot clinically describe your self-discovered results.
2. I do not make decisions for you, I will however, provide resources so you can get the information you need to make an informed decision for yourself.
3. I do not speak to medical staff on your behalf. I discuss your concerns with you and encourage you and your partner to voice your opinions, questions, and concerns to staff. I will verbally enforce your decisions if you have spoken them.
4. I do not provide medical advice. I can direct you to resources that can help you answer your questions and make informed decisions on your own. If you have medical questions, I will direct you to your care provider.

While it is always helpful to have a plan, births do not always follow them. If you plan a vaginal delivery and a cesarean is performed, I will continue to provide support as allowed by the hospital and doctor policies. If you are planning a birth-center or home birth and a transfer becomes necessary, I will accompany you and provide doula support. Covid has affected hospital policy for support persons allowance, so I must abide by hospital policy which may prevent me from attending your birth in the event of a transfer. (Policy is changing back and forth so I cannot know what it will be at the time of your birth).

Additional Services:
I am happy to create a custom doula package for you that includes any
combinations of the services I provide, including prenatal doula services, birth doula services, postpartum doula services, lactation services, birth pool rental, or any other combination of services you may desire that is mutually agreed upon.

First Prenatal Visit: On or around 32 weeks
Go over personal birth plans, any fears and concerns, answer questions,
determine my role, and answering questions.
Second Prenatal Visit: On or around 36 weeks
Review completed birth plan, re-address any fears and concerns, answer
questions, practice coping and pain relief options I have available to determine what you like.
First Postpartum Visit: Within the first week postpartum
Answer any questions, emotional and physical support as needed or
desired, answer any feeding questions, answer questions about baby care and deliver placenta (if encapsulated).
Second Postpartum Visit: When desired within 6 weeks postpartum
Answer questions, review birth experience, emotional and physical support
as needed. Review my role in your birth.