Whether your hospital birth is planned, or is the result of a transfer from a planned home birth, I’m trained to help you have the most positive experience possible.

    If you are planning a hospital birth, you have lots of questions: Which hospital is the best?  Which doctor should I hire? Should I be induced? Do I want an epidural? Will I be allowed to eat, drink, or use the shower?  Can I bring kids? It’s my job as your doula to help you process all of your questions, take all of the information you’ve learned, and help you make a game plan for your family’s specific needs.  

    The best way to fully explore your options is in the community.  I’ll connect you with other birthing families in the best support groups the valley has to offer--Pinkpeas, La Leche League, the International Cesarean Awareness Network, The Positive Birth Movement, and more.

We’ll come up with two plans: one for your birth team, and one for your baby’s team.

    In the weeks leading up to your birth, I can reach out to the hospital staff to see how we can work together to make your birth better, and to make sure you understand the protocols and restrictions they have. I can come along to a doctor’s visit with you in the weeks before.  Some of your desires for your birth may take some time to arrange, and it’s good to get the ball rolling on those.

    Ideally, I’ll meet you at your house, in early labor.  When it’s time to go, I’ll help you transition to the new environment.

I aim  to make the atmosphere as calming as possible, maintaining a “bubble” around you and your partner in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.  We’ll have a list of things you find calming ahead of time for me to be in charge of--essential oils, music, massage, prayer, etc.
I’ll also be encouraging communication with the staff to ensure that you have the information needed to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth.

I’ll make sure a copy of the birth plan is handed to the entire team, and after the birth, that your separate “baby team” plan is in the hands of that team.

I’ll stay at least two hours after the birth, to make sure you are comfortable, your questions are answered, and breastfeeding is off to a good start.

My support will still be available to you in the event that you have a C-Section.  Please see the “Doula Support for a Planned Cesarean.”

My fee for a hospital birth is $900 (or $________________________ as per individual cicumstance), $200 of which is due the day you hire me and the rest of which is due one week after your birth.  As with all doula services, one massage is included, to be received any time you choose.