Doula Information

Photo taken by Sarah Wimmer Steffen and provided with client permission

**PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW DOULA CLIENTS**

 

What is a doula and why do you need one? According to DONA International, "The doula's goal is to help the client have a safe and satisfying childbirth as the client defines it. The presence of a doula results in less use of pain medication or epidural analgesia." 

 

Doulas focus on the "art of labor support." 

 

The research shows that doulas:

  • Decrease the need for pain medication
  • Dramatically lower medical intervention rates
  • Increase satisfaction with birth experiences
  • Improve self-esteem

DOULA PACKAGES

TRADITIONAL BIRTH DOULA PACKAGE

I am fully booked and NOT accepting new clients.  Please message me regarding other services and/or my partnership package

  • Two prenatal visits/birth coaching sessions to help you work through any fears that you may have, answer all of your questions, prepare for the birth that you desire, and get to know each other so that we have a relationship established and feel comfortable with each other prior to your birth. 

  • Birth preferences assistance to help you clarify your preferences for birth and explain the options that are available to you. We will also do a deep dive into the intervention cascade and why this can be problematic for your birth experience. Please understand that I am supportive of whatever methods of birthing you may choose, as long as you are informed of all of the risks and benefits and you feel supported in your decisions. 

  • Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support for you and your partner for the duration of labor and birth, to help you hold and move towards the vision you created for your baby's birth. I am a wealth of knowledge and comfort for you during our time together. 

  • Initial breastfeeding support immediately after birth to help your baby latch on properly and encourage establishment of breastfeeding. I will be available to help with breastfeeding concerns postpartum and will use my training as a Certified Lactation Counselor to help you and your baby thrive with your breastfeeding relationship. 

  • One postpartum follow-up after birth to celebrate the birth of your baby, provide you with a written copy of your birth story and answer any questions you have during the early postpartum period. One homecooked, nutritious, meal is included. 

  • A virtual check in or home visit around two months postpartum to see how you and baby are adjusting to your new normal.

  • Unlimited Zoom support to answer your questions and offer suggestions and support throughout pregnancy, early labor and postpartum

  • Unlimited Text support during pregnancy, in early labor, and after your baby is born for those times when questions come up. I am truly here for you and want you and your baby to flourish. You have a question 6 months after your baby is born, feel free to text me! I love to help. 
  • Access to my Self-Paced Childbirth Course and Breastfeeding Masterclass
  • A special handmade gift from me

HYPNOBIRTHING BIRTH DOULA PACKAGE

  • Includes all of the "traditional package" components
  • Includes the complete HypnoBirthing Childbirth Course (5 week program) taught via a private zoom or in-person session
  • Includes relaxation tracks for pregnancy, childbirth, and for your baby
  • Access to a Rainbow Relaxation Session
  • Access to a Fear-Release Session
  • Additional HypnoBirthing recordings available upon request
  • Click HERE for my HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator Listing

POSTPARTUM DOULA & LACTATION PACKAGE 

  • 2 virtual or in-person check-ins to discuss postpartum healing and how things are going, along with breastfeeding support and troubleshooting (approximately 60 minutes each)
  • 2 home-cooked, nourishing, meals (if purchasing as an "add-on" you will be getting 3 total meals)
  • Access to my online Breastfeeding Masterclass
  • Postpartum recovery basket (c-section or vaginal delivery options)
  • If purchasing as an "add-on" to another doula package you will receive a $100 discount!
  • Additional lactation consultations are available for purchase for $30/30 minute session or $45/hour session

VIRTUAL DOULA PACKAGE

  • Monthly video chat support sessions from hire until 36 weeks

  • Weekly video chat support sessions from 36 weeks until birth

  • Fearless Childbirth Program included (online)

  • Creating your birth plan: support and guidance

  • Coaching (1-2 hours) on options during childbirth, the process of childbirth, and what to expect

  • Unlimited virtual support of labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum

  • Lactation/feeding support visit (1-2 hours)

  • Check-in appointment at 6 weeks postpartum

  • 24/7 communication with your doula

COMING SOON! Spring 2025

Partnership Doula Package

a unique doula service offering unlimited and individualized care

  • Includes all components of the traditional doula package + HypnoBirthing package
  • Care will be split between myself and my partner doula 
  • When I am fully booked, I will offer this package to you as an option. This package will also be available at all times, even if I am not booked.
  • I will lead all prenatal sessions, coaching sessions, education sessions, body-balancing sessions, and postpartum sessions
  • My partner will be present for all above listed sessions
  • My partner will physically attend your birth, while I am available for virtual assistance and coaching services
  • Think of my partner as an extension of me (Both of my partners are currently training under me/apprenticing with me and will possess all of the same knowledge and skills that I can offer)
  • This package allows for myself and my partners to provide personalized care to more women and their families 
  • My partners are currently working as my backup doula
  • You will have the choice to choose between both of my partners depending who is the best fit for you and your family

Extras

  • Birth Preparedness Basket (essential oil roll on blends for labor and postpartum, electrolyte packets, NORA tea blend, acupressure birth comb, "groaning" muffins, honey sticks, birth affirmation cards, warming pack, rebozo scarf, package of dates)
  • Postpartum Basket (Afterease tincture, postpartum herbal bath sachets, healing perineal spray, knit socks, Tucks pads, nipple cream, lactation bites, warming pack)

Testimonials

 

 

 

"Alex was super supportive from the start. My water had broke at night and I texted her right away. She answered all my questions and met me with excitement over text. The next day, she was with me every step of the way. Through each surge, she would help me focus on my breathing, while trying out different birthing positions. She was encouraging through it all and was incredibly helpful. After our baby girl came, she continued to support us with lactation advice and answered our questions as new parents. I could not have done it without her. She was amazing!" -Julie


"I had texted Alex on and off during the last part of pregnancy. She was amazing at answering all of my questions and helping me to feel more at ease. As a FTM I was nervous about my baby!

Then the hard part. I started going into labor on Monday. By Wednesday I was still in labor and hadn't slept as the contractions were brutal. Alex helped guide and direct me the next couple days through labor. Then the day came when my baby made her way into the world. I didn't know anything about anything when it came to baby health. A pediatrician came in one morning and started fear mongering me about how my baby wasn't getting enough to eat and was dehydrated.

Alex came to the hospital as fast as possible and checked on Ellyrose. She said Ellyrose was perfectly healthy! From then on I would text Alex as soon as I had baby questions because I trusted her insight.

Even now, when something I don't understand is happening, I will text Alex!! She's always able to put my mind at ease!" -Cassandra

Questions to Ask a Doula
In selecting a doula, the following questions should help expectant parents make a good decision. These same
questions might also be asked by perinatal care professionals who wish to know more:


• What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.) I am a former labor and delivery and postpartum care nurse. I am a certified Doula through DONA International. I am certified as a HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator through HypnoBirthing the Mongan Method (the original HypnoBirthing certification program). I am also certified as a Certified Lactation Counselor through the ALPP. I completed 52 hours of lactation training through the Healthy Children Project. I am pursuing direct-entry midwifery training in the near future. 
• Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and as a doula. I have been present at over 100 births, both as a Registered Nurse and as labor support. I have five children of my own. Each of their births was a very different experience. I am familiar with the medical/hospital side of childbirth, as well as the natural/holistic/homebirth side of childbirth. I can help you navigate wherever you choose to birth and with whatever provider you choose to utilize. It is important to know your options, learn to advocate for yourself, and work with someone who truly supports you.
• What is your philosophy about birth and supporting clients and their partners through labor? My philosophy is to empower women and their birth partners so that they can have a beautiful and safe birthing experience. I want to take the fear out of childbirth and provide knowledge, tools, and support to assist women in childbirth. I believe that birth is a natural process and that women's bodies were designed to give birth. Medication and Western medicine are amazing when they are needed, but in the majority of cases, they are not needed. There is a compassionate use of drugs and epidurals in labor, but they do not need to be the standard practice. I will not shame you if your choice is to use traditional medical methods for "pain" relief in labor and birth. I will support you in whichever path you choose. Every single birth is different and flexibility is an important skill that I can offer. 
• May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me through birth? Absolutely! I expect to meet with you before you make the decision to hire me as your doula. I want to make sure that I am a good fit for your birthing plans and personality. I am available to meet in-person or live via Zoom. I will be able to answer any questions that you may have and I would like to get an idea of what you are hoping to experience with your birth. Schedule a FREE doula consultation. I can't wait to meet you and learn more about you! 
• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth? Yes, I will provide my personal cellphone number after you have hired me to be your doula. I encourage you to call me at any time (day or night) with questions or concerns, if you just want to share something joyful or exciting with me, or you need emotional support and someone to be a listening ear.
• When do you try to join clients in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital? Typically, I will come to you when you are in active labor. I will be available for virtual assistance during early labor and if time permits will try to do an in-person check-in during that phase. I will teach you how to manage early labor and will provide you with tools so that you can feel confident coping until you need hands-on assistance in active labor. I can meet at your house or at the hospital. How much support you want during your birth is completely up to you. I am very flexible. 
• Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions? Yes, I will meet with you at least one time after the birth to check in on you and your baby and to provide you with a written story of your birth from my perspective. If you would like further postpartum assistance, I am also able to provide postpartum doula support and lactation counseling services. 
• What are your fees and your refund policies?  I offer different packages with different fees. I also offer payment plans. I ask for an initial deposit of $450 non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot on my calendar. The remaining balance will be due two weeks prior to delivery. You can check with your insurance company or your FSA/HSA as they may cover some or all of doula services. My goal is that you are completely satisfied with your birth experience and with me as your doula. If you are not satisfied for any reason whatsoever, I am willing to discuss a full or partial refund (minus the initial nonrefundable deposit and dependent on a "services provided" scale)

• Do you have a backup doula? Yes! My backup doula is currently working as my personal apprentice and training under me. She will be partnering with me in the spring of 2025 to offer doula partnership packages so that we can serve more women and families. She is personally training under me and will have all of the knowledge and skills that I currently offer. Think of her as an extension of me.