  A birth doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous emotional support and physical comfort measures to a woman in labor. The doula stays with the mother from the time she calls the doula to her side and leaves a few hours after the baby is born.
A postpartum doula is a woman experienced with babies, breastfeeding, and motherhood who provides support during the 6-week postpartum period. Nursing assistance is only one way a doula can support you during the post partum period. Teaching infant care, mother self-care, helping with sibling care, running small errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and companionship are all ways postpartum doulas aid in the transition after bringing baby home. Doulas really care about mothers, babies and birth. Top
Because I never leave your side, I remain the one consistent person helping you throughout your birth, which is very reassuring. Many of my clients appreciate the calming effect I have on both mothers and fathers. Friends or family who might be present for the birth often need information and reassurance too. There’s also something about woman to woman support that is very real and meaningful for moms in labor. It’s hard to explain but my woman’s touch adds to the confidence of the mothers I work with.
Moms require fewer interventions in labor, such as labor inducing drugs (40% less), vacuum extraction or forceps delivery (40% reduction) and c-section (50% lower). Women also find they request fewer pain medications during labor (30% less) including the desire for an epidural (60% fewer). Breastfeeding is often more satisfying and successful and moms have less post-partum depression. It was also shown that women feel happier with their babies and with their birth experiences. Top "My birth experience was everything I had dreamed it up to be …Ellen got to know me and what kind of support I would need in order to achieve the best birthing possible."- Sarah V.
Emotionally, support combines soft, affirming encouragement, gentle, caring touch, eye contact, and a loving continuous presence. Emotional support helps you stay calm and relaxed. A comfortable relaxed mother has a better, healthier labor.
By Providing these support measures as well as helping you to get information, you will have a sense of control and feel the birth was a positive experience. Doulas help dads too by rolemodeling, making suggestions, providing break time, information, and comfort. I have had many fathers tell me after the birth that they were so glad I was there because my being calm helped them stay calm and know that everything was okay. Doulas never take the place of mom’s partner! You love her and know her in a way I never could. Your support and encouragement are invaluable to her. To learn more about how dads and doulas work together visit this link. "Being through the birth process with Ellen as our Doula, was definitely a better experience for me as a husband. …Ellen made me feel accomplished as a first time dad and more importantly, look good in my wife's remembrances of the big day."- Andy V.
What is included in the service? After I hear from a mom, I then meet with the expectant mother or couple 2-3 times to talk about their hopes and plans for the birth. We discuss how and when to call me, any special needs they might have, and my back-up arrangement. I help parents with their birth plan and offer a written birth story as a keepsake.
I also discuss breastfeeding and postnatal care of the baby. How much post partum support the mother/family needs will also be addressed. I try to help families begin the transition to parenthood before the baby arrives. During the first meeting my fee is determined and the contract and payments will also be formalized. After all our prenatal visits I keep in touch with the mother-to-be over the phone as she gets closer to her due date. After the birth a post partum visit concludes our time together and includes a breastfeeding observation and assessment of how the family is coping with the changes baby brings. Top
My clients sometimes call me several times before they are ready for me to come to their home. It gives them an opportunity to get reassurance, ask questions, and share their happiness. Most often I do come to the home first. It's a relaxing place for labor to take place. My arrival before things are intense gives everyone time to get into a rhythm with the labor and each other. When it seems that birth is not too far off or when the mother says it's time to go, we travel together to the hospital. I aid in the transition to the hospital by helping her handle contractions in the various places she'll be as she gets settled into her room. Then we all work together until the birth. Top
When is the doula's service complete?
Of course, if families have additional questions later or need support between the birth and the post-birth visit I am only a phone call away. When I have been hired as a post partum doula I provide support during the 6 week post partum period, for a few hours, several times a week until the mom and dad have transitioned into their new roles. I work my way out of every job. Top
I have had four natural births, two in hospitals and two at home. This gives me a fundamental understanding of how to support you during your birth. My specialty is supporting mothers that are striving for a natural birth. I believe that all women have the strength, courage, and heart to give birth naturally but I also understand that sometimes a mother just needs some relief. To that end I willingly support women with differing goals for their births. We all come to birth with experiences that affect our confidence in birth. Part of my role with you is to help you understand your choices in childbirth and build your confidence so that you can achieve those goals that you choose for yourself.
Being a trained childbirth educator, I have additional knowledge that I bring to birth. I trained through Lamaze International and have been studying and learning about birth since 1991.
In addition, I am also licensed as a massage therapist with 6 years of professional experience. This experience with the human body helps me use my hands in the most helpful way to you during labor. Massage post partum can help you feel very refreshed after the efforts of labor and prenatally it helps alleviate the aches and pains that often accompany 3rd trimester pregnancy.
These combined factors bring you someone who really cares and understands what you will be going through physically and emotionally as you birth your baby and as you adjust to parenthood. My goal is to help you birth your baby in a peaceful, healthy way and create positive, empowering memories that last a lifetime. I feel blessed to be called to birth. Top
"We can't thank you enough for your endless understanding and caring during my labour and delivery. We are so happy to have had you there by my side when the going got tough. You are a wonderful, thoughtful doula and human being." - Dana and Jamie L.
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The doula can help the parents think through any changes in their birth plans that need to be addressed during labor, providing information and helping them to advocate for themselves. The doula can help the parents feel positive about their birth experience even if the birth turns out to be different than expected. 
Studies have shown that when a mother has a doula with her during labor she is more likely to have a shorter labor (25%) and one with fewer complications for herself and her baby.
Physical support consists of help with position changes, help with breathing, cool cloths, massage, soothing music and various other comforts. These measures help you stay comfortable.
It is important to me to understand what kinds of things help the mother relax; what might have helped in a previous birth and what kinds of tools and tricks of the trade I have that might help in this birth. Any fears the mother might have can also be addressed. I like to find out how much my clients know about birth and answer their questions about what to expect.
I ask all my clients to call me when they think they are in labor, just to let me know. In this way I can be prepared to leave my home when they are ready for support. Any time of the day or night is fine. Birth often happens at night when the world is a quiet, safe place to be.
When I have been hired primarily for birth support I am still in your service for a time after the birth. Usually until we have a chance to meet in your home to admire the baby and talk over the birth. At this visit we review the birth, I assess how well the baby is nursing, how the mother is feeling, and how well the family is coping. Then we make closure after this very special time we spent together.
In addition to this mother-knowledge I received doula training and certification through 
As a Certified Lactation Counselor I am committed to helping you become successful with breastfeeding. I have been helping moms professionally since 2000. Helping you get breastfeeding right for you, overcoming obstacles, and achieving success means long term loving feeding and health for both you and your baby. It is my greatest satisfaction in my work to see a mother and child nursing peacefully.
As a mother since 1992 and caring for 4 young ones I understand the struggles parents face when bringing home a baby. I use my experience to help your family in the transition period following the birth of your baby. The early weeks require tender loving care, information, support and connection to keep parents feeling calm and confident. I strive to help your family adjust smoothly by providing that care, answering all those questions new parents have, and encouraging you and teaching you the things you need to know.
One of the other things I have to offer is a birth pool for use during labor at home or for water-birth at home. This birth tub can be 
