Services

Birth Doula (Labour Support) Service

A preliminary interview does not obligate you in any way. I will meet with you and your partner (if you have one) or other support person so that we can find out more about each other and the kind of work I do, and the role you see your Doula playing in your birth. I also bring a copy of my Letter of Agreement for you to look over and sign when you are ready.

Once you have made the decision to hire a Doula, we will set up two more prenatal appointments. At these meetings we can discuss your wishes for your birth in more detail, including your philosophy around pain medications and other interventions. We'll talk about coping methods you already use, and discuss new ones you might want to adopt. We'll talk about how you and your partner work together under stressful conditions and what we can do for you to help facilitate that work. We can talk about positions for late pregnancy and labour, and try out the birth ball and massage tools.

I invite my clients to work out a draft birth plan, and to discuss any questions raised by the plan. I can recommend books and articles to read, and help you sort through the information in your hands to help you make the decisions that will work best for you. It's important to understand that Doulas are not midwives or doctors. We won't tell you what you should do. We can provide you with the tools to make good decisions, but we can't ever make them for you. I can't speak for you in the hospital, but I can help you find your voice.

I'm also available by phone for any questions that come up, or just for you to check in with after midwives/doctors appointments. It's good for us to keep up to date with any changes in your health or pregnancy.

I'm on call 24/7 for your birth. I ask clients to call when they think they may be in labour so we can discuss what happens next. Your Doula joins you at the point that you feel like you'd really benefit from an extra pair of hands, whenever that may be. I usually come to clients' homes during labour, but will meet you at the hospital if that is your preference when the time comes.

I stay with you throughout the labour and birth, and for the first 1-2 hours after the birth to help get breastfeeding established and ensure you, your partner and your baby are settled in together. I will stay with you throughout your birth experience even if that involves an epidural or unexpected caesarean section.

We meet again at least once after the baby is born, to see how you're settling in, to discuss your experience of childbirth, and to admire your baby.

I will arrange a back-up Doula for you in case an emergency prevents me from attending your birth. I encourage you to speak with or meet your back-up Doula if you choose. I draw on a network of Doulas I know and trust for back-up services.

If you wish, you may check my Availability page before you contact me.

Postpartum Doula Service

Supporting you after your baby is born is another way a Doula can mother the mother. Ideally, we meet during your pregnancy to discuss my services and the areas where you would like extra support. I can assist with breastfeeding, do some childcare while you have a shower or grab a nap, help you get your household organized to accommodate its newest member, or assist you with getting out the door and getting back into the world. I can help you understand normal newborn development and behaviour so you'll learn to enjoy and stimulate your baby's developing personality.

The Doula's job is to ease your transition into parenthood, and help you develop the confidence to cope more-or-less smoothly on your own. I can also help you identify community resources that would be helpful. Primarily, I'm there for you, rather than for your baby.

You may not know how much help you need in advance. We can set up a tentative schedule and then revisit it after the first week. You may want help for half a day each day, or you may prefer to have your doula come in two or three times a week. The choice is yours, my schedule permitting.

Having more than one? You need help! The Postpartum Doula's role is inevitably more hands-on when there is more than one newborn in the home. I can help you set up systems to help your household run more smoothly. I can help you problem solve around accessing extra help from family and friends when your Doula's not there. I'll help you develop the routines and confidence to manage on your own - eventually! And I'll happily hold babies while you get some much-needed sleep.

Postpartum Doula services make a great shower gift. Contact me for information about Lucina Birth Services gift certificates.

Prenatal Classes

Childbirth education is where it all began for me. Over the years I have taught for Childbirth Education Associations in Vancouver and Ottawa, for a midwifery practice and a community centre, and for a national non-profit organization. Since 2004 I have also offered independent Lucina classes. These classes are a distillation of many things I have learned over the years as a childbirth educator, doula and mother. The content evolves as our understanding of birth, comfort techniques and newborns evolve.

Details and schedules may be found on the Classes page.

Placenta Encapsulation

The newest Lucina service! Preparation of your placenta into a supplement for personal use. This service can be added on to birth doula services, but you do not need to be Lucina doula client to access it.

More details may be found on the Placenta Services page.

Come visit the Lucina store on CafePress!