Womblove Birth Services

 I believe all women should have the option of experienced labor support.  I offer doula support for women in Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Round Rock, Lake Travis, Lago Vista and all surrounding areas.  I am experienced in working with local hospitals, doctors, midwives and birth centers in the area and can help you find a care provider that supports your birth philosophy. 

What is a doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a doula?

You certainly can give birth without a doula!  Woman do everyday and your body knows just how to give birth to your baby already. The real question is will having experienced labor support benefit you?If this is your first baby your birth experience is pretty limited.  Having a doula will help guide you on what to expect, finding the best caregiver to support your birthing ideals and walking with you thru the entire experience.  She can help answer questions like;

 "Is this really labor?" "What can I do to help my body in labor?" "I really don't want a c-section, is there anything I can do to help avoid one?"  "My baby is breech! What are my options??"  "Where can I go to find a baby sling, cloth diapers, a belly support band, nipple shields etc, etc.....and so on, and so on.....

What are the benefits of having a doula?

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Here are some of the recent stats from http://www.childbirthconnections.org/ 

• decrease in chances of cesarean (26% less)
• less likely to need pain meds or epidurals (28% less)
• less likely to need the use of pitocin
• reported increase in satisfaction with partner
• higher overall level of satisfaction with their birth experience

 What about my partner?  Can't they be my doula?
Your partner knows and loves you best. They are absolutely irreplaceable!  But sometimes partners need support to.  This may be a very new experience for the partner as well.  Having a doula allows your partner to feel more confident and comfortable in his/her role.  Some partners want to be very involved in the process and the doula can give them tips and suggestions while taking care of you both. well. Other partners may have difficulty getting involved and may need reassurance and suggestions to help them be comfortable.  Occassionally some partners are uncomfortable being the sole source of support and the role will pass between the doula & partner equally.  My goal as your doula is to be just the right amount of support you need, however little or much that may be.  There are times where I may sit in a corner or another room to give you and your partner some privacy to enjoy those last moments together before the newest addition arrives. 

Fees

The fee for doula support is based on a sliding scale to make doula services available to as many women as possible (fees range from $650-1000+)

After your free initial consultation your services will include:

• 2-3 prenatal visits to discuss and address options, plans and or concerns
• Phone & email support during your pregnancy
• Continuous support during your labor & birth
• Support with initial feeding and bonding
• 1-2 postpartum visits to admire the baby, review the experience and support the transition

Optional Services

• Postpartum Doula Care   
• Birth Photography
• Belly Casting

In order to ensure that I will be available to you during your birth I only accept a certain number of clients each month.  Contact me for availability and to schedule your free consult.  If I am unavailable I have a list of other great doulas in the area.  I also keep a list of low-cost doulas who are in-training.  Contact me for more info at sasha@womblove.com or by phone 512-227-0292 Please no non-urgent calls after 9 pm.