Doula Services

 Shelly DeMeo, Birth Doula, LMT

419-699-2279

My fees include all Prenatal Visits, 24 hour on call Availability (beginning at 36 weeks till birth), Continuous support throughout labor and birth, and one postpartum follow-up/visit. My rates for services mentioned are $___.__  please call for amount. A nonrefundable deposit of $150.00 is due at the time of signing a contract agreement. The final balance is due two weeks prior to your due date. I accept cash, checks or credit cards.

My services include:

Prenatal –

• A free consultation/interview to discuss what you are looking for and discuss the services that I would offer you.

• Two meetings (after our original interview) to discuss your desires and needs.

• Suggestions to make pregnancy more comfortable.

• One complimentary pregnancy massage (at my office) in order to assist with related discomforts you may experience; as well as gain knowledge on ways to comfort you during labor.

• Provide information about Herbs and Aromatherapy that can be helpful for pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period.

• Referrals to community resources for pregnancy or family issues.

• Review of your birth plan or help developing one if needed.

• Phone consultations to discuss pregnancy progress and address questions or concerns.

During labor and birth –

• Support by telephone during initial labor period.
• Professional labor support at your home or birthing site.
• Continual attendance and support during your labor, birth and first hours post-partum.
• Prepare the birth space to meet your needs (candles, aromatherapy, music, etc.)
• Provide massage, relaxation techniques, positioning suggestions and other comfort measures or techniques as needed to ease labor discomfort.
• Observe breathing patterns and offer suggestions if needed.
• Explain any suggested procedures and their pros and cons.
•  Protect your birth space to create a worry-free environment.
•  Help getting started with breastfeeding, if needed.

Postpartum –

• A phone call and a visit within the first three days after your birth (a phone call one day, a visit the next, or vice versa) to answer questions, discuss your birth and offer postpartum comfort measures.
• Explanation of newborn characteristics and newborn care.
• Breastfeeding support, positioning suggestions, problem solving assistance.
• A visit two to three weeks after your birth to see how you and the baby are doing.

In the event that a pre-planned induction or cesarean is determined for your birth, I respectfully request that you coordinate scheduling with my schedule. It is still beneficial to have a Doula present in the event of a cesarean as this is still ‘your birth’ and you deserve your environment and your personal needs to be met as much as you originally planned for. If, however, you do decide that my services were no longer needed the original $150.00 deposit remains non-refundable. Special Note: If the above circumstances have arisen prior to your 34^th week of pregnancy and you decided to cancel my services, prior to the end of your 34^th week, you will receive a full refund. 

Statistics

Emotional support in labor can:

-Marshal Klaus, MD, John Kennell, MD, and Phyllis Klaus, M Ed, CSW, Authors of Mothering the Mother.

Wouldn't it be great if someone came up with a drug that reduced time in labor by 25%, and halved the need for cesarean sections, epidurals, and painkillers? That day is already here, but not because of any pill or injection, according to a study from Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Researchers point instead to the growing number of doula-assisted labors.

-Health Magazine October 2001

 More about me and my role as your Doula.

Childbirth should be a beautiful and empowering experience!  

– my role and goal is to support you in achieving the birth experience you desire

 and appreciating the birth that you have as it unfolds.

       I have two children of my own, both birthed vaginally and without medical intervention. My son, Dylan, was born in a hospital with a midwife. My daughter, Sage, was ‘born in water’ at a free-standing birth center with a midwife. Both of my of my labor experiences began with my water breaking, followed by very intense 5 hour labors and posterior presentations. I have also experienced the loss of two pregnancies… my first pregnancy ended prematurely after the discovery that our baby had a fatal chromosomal problem called, Triploidy Syndrome. I ended up having an early induction of labor, an epidural and stillborn delivery at 21 weeks. My second pregnancy loss (third pregnancy) was a true miscarriage, at 11 weeks gestation we discovered our baby had died around week 7, I chose not to have any medical intervention (other than blood-work and ultrasounds) and waited for the miscarriage to happen on its own, which it did, at home, without complications, on week 16.

      I began my training as a professional birth assistant in 2003 alongside a certified nurse midwife at a free-standing birth center. I have extended this training through DONA (Doulas of North America) to become a Birth Doula in 2005. I am currently a licensed massage therapist specializing in chronic pain relief and pregnancy massage. I have worked on the medical field since 1990 as an EMT, EKG Tech and a Registered Cardiac Sonographer.

     As a doula, I strive to provide personal care that most women desire during their prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum periods.  I accompany women in labor to help ensure a satisfying and safe birth experience. I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and communication with your partner or other support people during your labor and birth.  I will provide information and help you ask questions to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed choices as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and pain-coping techniques for comfort.  I do not have a preconceived idea of how I think your birth should be – my role and goal is to support you in achieving the birth experience you desire, and appreciating the birth that you have as it unfolds.  I will hold your desires in the forefront of my caring for you, and do my best to help you have a fulfilling birth experience

   A doula can never replace the love and support that a birth partner provides during a mother's birth experience. A doula's experience can enhance the birth process by helping the birth partner to participate comfortably with the laboring mother. The doula gives the birth partner helpful suggestions about what comfort measures work best during the different stages of labor and birth. In the event of a long or difficult labor the doula can give the one-on-one attention the mother needs, while the father takes a break or rest.

My bias is toward birth as a natural event, and as a major event and in a woman’s lifespan.  I promote non-pharmacological options for pain-relief, and fully informed consent for all procedures used on a woman and baby during this time.  My primary concern is that the power, integrity, and dignity of each woman and baby is enhanced and intact during and following their births. 

http://www.ktholistictherapy.com