Thursday, September 27, 2007

The Doula FAQ

As a birth doula, I provide emotional, physical and information support during pregnancy and birth.

My clients are most often married couples, although I have worked with single moms and unmarried couples as well. My role is to support the family unit, which often extends beyond the mother and father to include the expectant mother's parents, in-laws, siblings and friends.

My doula service essentially includes 2-3 prenatal meetings, 1-2 postpartum meetings, availability by phone or email for consultations throughout pregnancy, on-call status during your birth month, provision of a back-up doula should the need arise (Heidi Gonzales, my business partner), and attendance at your labor, birth and early postpartum.

The fee for all this is $800, with a deposit/retainer of $300 due at the time we sign the contract and $500 balance due by 37 weeks in your pregnancy. I offer a $50 discount for those who choose to pay the fee in full at the beginning.

I've been a doula and childbirth educator since 2000-2001 and have attended about 30 births at this point. I am a Christian and truly count it as a gift from God to have the privilege of witnessing the miracle of birth on so many occasions.