Doula Services
Birth Doula Services and Virtual support
A Birth Doula prepares you for birth and is a continuous support for you and your birth partner during your birthing day.
To achieve this, first and foremost, I will provide you with a complementary consultation session. Let’s get to know one another a bit better. While we won’t go into personalized advice quite yet, this is an opportunity for you to learn more about virtual doula support and my area of practice.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic I will not be offering in-person services at present. Please scroll down to our virtual offerings.
Should you then wish to make use of my services my birth doula package includes the following:
In-person service
- 1 Prenatal visit
During this period I schedule a home visit to go over questions, address any concerns you may have, and discuss your birth wishes. I can also help you create a birth plan if you so choose.
- 24/7 On call availability
Provided by myself as well as my back up generally 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks post your estimated due date.
- Availability via phone / email
I’m there to answer any questions that might arise during the course of your pregnancy and/or the beginning stages of labor. Please contact me after every appointment with your caregiver to let me know how you & baby are doing.
- Dedicated labour support during birth – until after breastfeeding established
As you labour, I take on a supportive, informative and encouraging role to help you fulfill your specific birth desires. It is my goal that you experience a positive and safe birth. If, due to circumstances beyond my control I am unable to be with you, I will send a back up Doula (details of my back up Doula will be given to you closer to your EDD).
For up to 2 hours after birth, I will spend some time helping you begin the breastfeeding process and encouraging bonding between you and your new baby.
Following Birth
- 1 Postpartum visit
During the first 2 weeks following birth I will check in on you and your baby’s well-being while keeping healthy postpartum and newborn proceedings and development in mind. Should you need assistance following this visit I will provide you with references to other postnatal support professionals.
Virtual doula support
A Virtual Doula provides helpful information, comfort and support during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Your doula will support you virtually, rather than in-person. Birthing families can benefit from this option now more than ever, especially if there are restrictions on in-person support at the hospital or birthing centre.
A virtual doula provides you with the same level of compassionate, unbiased support, but with a phone or computer screen in between. Our customized virtual support gives you what you need, in the way that works best for you.
During this strange season most hospitals have restricted the number of visitors allowed and this may mean a change in your plans to have a family member or close friend with you in the hospital, with a virtual doula you can still have the extra support you were looking for.
My goal is to support the families in our areas to have the birth they desire.
“GIVING BIRTH SHOULD BE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT, NOT YOUR GREATEST FEAR.” JANE WEIDEMAN
My services are customized to the needs of the birthing mom and her support team should she have one.
Virtual birth package
As if I were your birth doula in person, you get digital access to the following;
- Birth Preferences Session
- Postpartum Planning Session
- Email communication, including weekly check-ins with prenatal exercises, nutritional plans, and personalized emotional support
- On-call from 38 weeks – 42 weeks
- In labour, continuous support via WhatsApp / Zoom / Skype
- Postpartum Doula Session
Emotional Support is often defined by helping create a birth plan that includes a woman’s unique communication style and gives her confidence in voicing her needs.
Physical comfort measures can include: massage, labour positions, optimal fetal positioning, aromatherapy, acupressure, deep relaxation and visualization techniques.
Advocacy includes helping a woman to resource the community of birth services and facilitating her birth plan into action.
Doulas do not perform clinical tasks, like fetal heart tone assessment or cervical examinations.
Fees
During our initial conversation we go over all of your questions and the services I provide in detail including fees and when payment is due. There is no obligation or pressure to commit until the contract has been signed.
Please note there is a difference in fees for natural vaginal birth vs caesarean birth for in-person consultations. Should you be inquiring about our virtual package please indicate so.
Resources
Independant Midwife Professionals Association of Cape Town
Positive birth movement Cape Town
