Services

Labor Support Package

The Birthing Well's labor support package fee includes all of the following services:

"meet the doulas"
We host bi-monthly meetings for prospective clients to answer your questions – about our backgrounds, experience, methods, and knowledge – and allow you to decide if we are the right doulas for you.  If you can't make one of these sessions, please contact us to arrange a different time.
ongoing "meet the doulas" opportunities
From the time you hire us until you go into labor, you may attend any number of our bi-monthly “meet the doulas” meetings .  Here you can meet with each of us in a one-on-one environment to get to know us, allow us to answer your questions, and even meet a few other mommies at the same time.  We encourage you to use these opportunities to become as familiar with us as you need in order to feel comfortable when one of us attends your birth.
Private prenatal visit
At least one of us will meet with you and your partner once before labor to become more thoroughly acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns you may have, and to plan how we all might best work together.  These discussions will also include a review of your birth plan, including your preferences regarding pain management options and the use of pain medications.  In addition to understanding your own preferred ways of coping with pain and fatigue, we will introduce you to additional pain coping and massage techniques, all of which may be used during labor. Our role is to help you have a satisfying birth – as you define it.  The more we explore this in advance, the better we will be able to fulfill this role.  

After we have met, each of the doulas on your support team will discuss your plans, goals and concerns to ensure continuity of care.
Unique Prenatal Preparation Resources
We've developed several prenatal "tools" to help you as you prepare for your birth. Our "birth needs assessment" is an online form we ask for you to fill out prior to our private prenatal visit. In addition,we have developed a birth plan worksheet that far exceeds anything you may see on the web today, and a collection of preparation and relaxation tools and activities that can help prepare you -- as much as possible -- for the very intense ride that is this thng we call birth. All told, we hope these tools will allow you to feel comfortable in your mind and heart as you prepare for your baby's arrival.
Access to a lending library
We have a well-chosen library of labor and birth books to lend to you.  We have read every book in our library, and will lend any one out with confidence that it is an excellent source of information, inspiration, or both.
Telephone and email support throughout pregnancy
Throughout our professional relationship, you can feel free to call or email any one of us with any questions or concerns you may have.  We will provide you the information and resources necessary for you to make informed, empowered decisions.  We can provide explanations and information on alternatives, and we can refer you to reliable resources of thorough, balanced information.
Labor support in your home, hospital and/or birthing center
When you go into labor, one of us will meet you at your home, the hospital or the birthing center, according to your wishes. We will remain with you until after the birth of your child, whenever you deem it appropriate for us to leave. During labor, we will provide physical comfort measures, labor position suggestions and pain coping techniques. These include the use of hot and cold compresses, massage, visual imagery, breathing techniques, and verbal coaching. During labor, we will strive to effect good communication between you and your care provider, facilitate the achievement of your birth wishes, and ensure that you have both the time and information necessary to make decisions you can be comfortable with.
The use of a TENS unit during labor
We offer the use of a TENS unit during labor. We have been trained in its use and have been approved to offer this service by DONA, the organization through which we are certified as doulas.  
TENS therapy can be an effective part of a group of non-pharmaceutical strategies to relieve pain in labor.  For more information, see our TENS FAQ.
The unit is simply available for your use -- a "tool" in our bag of tricks -- but is in no way required.  Its use is entirely up to you.
Initial lactation support
We can help your baby latch on the first time shortly after birth. We can make suggestions for positioning your baby for a good latch and show you what to look for as signs of an effective latch and suck.
Photographs
Taking photographs can be an easily forgotten "chore" during the emotional heights of labor and birth. If you wish, we can take pictures of your labor and birth, using our camera or yours. All photos will be taken honoring any guidelines you will have given us prior to labor. They will be your property after the birth, and will be delivered to you at the postpartum visit.
A postpartum visit
Shortly after the birth of your child, we will visit your new family. At that time, we will deliver your birth photos (if we took any using our camera), answer any questions you may have, and welcome any feedback you may have to offer regarding our services.
Referral network to private childbirth educators, postpartum doulas and lacation consultants
We have an extensive network of private childbirth educators, postpartum doulas and laction consultants with whom we've worked and are able to heartily recommend. We will be pleased to provide referrals to you for any issue that arises that is not covered by our services.