* Provide continuous emotional and physical support to a woman during labor and birth.

* Recognize that birth is a profound life experience that the mother will remember for the rest of her life.

* Provide prenatal information on subjects of interest or concern to our clients.

* Assit the woman and her partner clarify and carry out their plans for the birth.

* Help birth partners confidently and comfortably participate in the birth process.

* Facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and medical care providers.

For each doula client I work cooperatively with either Kelly Foerster or Jennifer Ivans. We have found that this system benefits us as doulas and, as importantly, benefits our clients as well. Cooperative services provide an automatic backup system in the event that one of us experiences an illness or emergency or if two clients are laboring at the same time. Our clients are also able to gain from the individual strengths that each of us bring to our work.

Prospect clients meet me along with either Kelly or Jennifer at a complimentary interview and then spend time with both of us prenatally so that all parties are at ease no matter which doula attends the birth itself. We utilize an on-call system that designates which doula will attend the birth based on availability by day of the week.

The fee for services is $700 for the two of us (myself and either Kelly or Jennifer) to provide prenatal and postpartum services and for one of us to attend the birth according to our on-call schedule.

Effects of Doulas on Interventions in Birth

Frequently Asked Doula Questions