Doula Services

A trained labor support person (doula) can be a real help during your birth experience.  Doulas offer continuous emotional, physical, and informational support throughout your labor from your home and in the hospital.  Doulas offer the laboring mother undivided attention and support to help her continue through her labor in the way in which she prefers, as the mother determines also the kind of support she prefers.  They can also help other support persons through relieving them when they are tired and suggesting ways to help the laboring mother.  By no means do they replace family and friends in the birthing experience.  Doulas do not replace medical professionals either, nor do they offer medical advice.  They do offer accurate information similar to that found in childbirth classes as needed.  Any health related issues and birth preferences should also be discussed with your health care provider.

Birth True Labor Support…

• Kelli will meet with mother and her support person/s twice prior to the baby’s birthday to discuss birth plans and the mother’s preferences for her birth.  (Any preferences should be discussed in detail with your health care provider prior to the birthday.)
• Kelli will be available by phone and email 24 hours a day to the mother and her support person/s.
• Kelli will come to the mother’s home within a reasonable amount of time when mother asks for her to be there on the day she goes into labor.  Kelli will then go along to the hospital to provide support there when the mother decides it is time to go as per her agreement with her health care provider.
• Continuous labor support will be provided throughout the duration of the labor and birth according to the mother’s preferences.  (Again, doulas do not replace family and friends if the mother wishes for them to be her primary support persons through labor, but can also be helpful for support persons.)
• Kelli will remain with the mother for as long as needed postpartum (as long as a few hours) and until breastfeeding is initiated (if mother chooses to breastfeed).
• There will be one home visit postpartum to check on mom and baby and to provide emotional and informational support similar to that found in childbirth classes.

Call 606-642-3495 or email birthtrue@gmail.com for any questions about these services.

Holding baby after supporting the birth

Frequently Asked Birth Doula Questions

• Q: What is a birth (or labor) doula?
  A: A birth doula is a birth and labor coach. Doulas advocate for the laboring mother, and help her realize her birthing goals. The word ‘doula’ itself is greek in origin, and means ‘assitant’ or ‘servant’.
• Q: Are there other kinds of doulas?
  A: Yes. Postpartum doulas also assist women. They differ from birth doulas in that they assist new moms in adjusting to life with their newborn babes AFTER the birth. Simply put: the job of the birth doula ends just as the job of the post-partum doula begins. Many doulas offer these services in tandem.
• Q: Do birth doulas deliver babies?
  A: No. birth doulas help coach women through delivery, but cannot and do not offer any medical advice, care, or treatment.
• Q: Can birth doulas be certified?
  A: Yes. Certification programs for birth doulas exist, but are not required to practice.
• Q: What kind of training do you have?
  A: Specifically, I am a “trained” doula at this time, trained in Lamaze childbirth education and a 3 day prenatal yoga for pregnancy and labor support certification.  I have attended five births as a doula and have experienced birth twice personally.
• Q: How much do birth doulas charge?
  A: I work on a sliding scale.  Pricing will depend on your location and your specific situation.  My goal is to provide support for any mother who would like the support of a doula during her birth.   The standard fee is $350 (can be more or less depending).
• Q: What about my partner’s role?
  A: A birth doula is not intended to supplant the birthing mother’s partner in the birthing process. Rather, a birth doula advocates for both the mother and her partner, advising them about how they may have the kind of birth they desire for themselves, and serving them in whichever manner is conducive to a nurturing and fulfilling labor. Your partner is invited to participate in your child’s birth just as he or she normally would. Some, in fact, report that the experience and wisdom provided by a birth doula make their job much easier and more rewarding.