What is a Doula?
The word Doula comes from the Greek term doulē meaning “woman servant.” In recent years, it has come to describe a woman trained provide non-medical physical, emotional, and energetic support to women in labor. This may take the form of massage, visualization, or even just a calming presence.

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Benefits of hiring a birth doula

Having a doula by your side means that you and your partner do not have to face the birthing experience alone. A doula serves as guide and support, acting as a complement to the birth companion when needed, and providing you with information and tools to help you advocate in the birthing environment - whether that is a hospital or at home.  

 

There are numerous studies documenting the increase in positive outcomes when a laboring woman is assisted by a doula. I encourage you to do your own research on how having a doula can enhance your birthing experience, and am happy to direct you to such resources. 

My Beliefs
I believe that birth is a natural human experience and a time in which a woman is truly in touch with her body, her breath, and her intuition. 

My goal as a doula is to help you have a comfortable, memorable, and empowering birthing experience. 

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As we prepare for the arrival of your baby we will meet for 2 or 3 prenatal sessions*. We will also have 1 postpartum visit in the weeks following your baby's birth.

Our sessions together will help us get to know each other and develop a shared idea of your hopes for your birth. I am there to educate, provide information, and emotional support for you and your partner so that you feel prepared to self-advocate in your birthing environment before and during the birthing process. 
 

 1st prenatal session – We will tune into your birthing body and explore your values, beliefs, and wishes for your birth experience.

 

2nd prenatal session – We will go over educational information about the birthing process and explore the stages of labor. We will discuss your birth plan or work to create one, and frame your values to set intentions for your birth.

 

3rd prenatal session – This session is used as a check-in and can be used in whatever manner you feel will best support you - private prenatal yoga session, art therapy tune in, hypnotherapy session, or if desired, I will attend one appointment with you and your Ob GYN or Midwife.

 

Our final postpartum visit will be scheduled within one week after giving birth. During this visit we will discuss and integrate your birth story and birth experience.

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24 hour support by phone, text and email will be available to you starting two weeks starting prior to your guesstimated due date.

To book a free phone consultation or a meet + greet, please fill out the contact form below or email me at ashley@ourmindfulnest.com

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* The number of prenatal sessions will depend on your unique situation and whether your package is a Doula only package or a combined Doula & HypnoBirthing® package.

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Additional Offering: Placenta Encapsulation 

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After helping your baby to grow for the past 9 months, your placenta can now assist you in your recovery! 

 

Potential Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation:​

• Increase in milk supply

• Shortens postpartum bleeding 

• Decrease in incidence of postpartum depression 

• Quicker recovery time - more energy! 

 

Encapsulation of placenta is done in the Traditional Chinese Method. Placenta will be picked up from the hospital, birth center, or your home and prepared for encapsulation  within 24 hours of birth to prepare the placenta.