Labor Support and More

Compassionate and Consistent Support

Pregnancy and childbirth are life changing events that involve an abundance of emotions. Emotional support is an essential part of birth support and helps the mother feel cared for and establishes a sense of empowerment after birth. Having a trusting relationship with your doula can lead to less fear and more confidence in your ability to give birth. One of a doula’s most important jobs is to provide support for the mother’s emotional health and to help her have a positive birthing experience.

• Discuss and overcome fears regarding childbirth
• Build confidence with the mother
• Compassion for the mother
• Acceptance and respect for the mother’s birth vision
• Consistent support throughout pregnancy, during birth, and after
• Reassurance to you and your birth partner
• The power of positivity is real in childbirth!

Physical Support before and after Baby

Carrying and birthing a baby can often be demanding on the mother’s body. Decades ago, women gave birth with their closest family and friends nearby. These loved one’s were her personal hand maidens and provided physical and emotional support to the mother. A doula is your modern day personal hand maiden and will help make you feel as comfortable as possible by assisting to alleviate pain naturally by using different tools and techniques. These birth support techniques include:

• Simple exercises to prepare the body for labor
• Birth ball positioning
• Massage & Counter pressure
• Warm or cold compresses
• Creating a calm environment
• Assistance walking around

Guidance during the Journey

During pregnancy you may find yourself overwhelmed by the books, recommendations, and stories shared by other mothers on how to care for your new baby. A doula provides educational support to ensure that the mother and partner feel prepared and confident for this new endeavor.

• Discuss the stages of labor
• Guidance on finding evidence-based options about pregnancy and childbirth
• Options available to mom and baby in medical settings
• Assistance with writing birth vision
• Referrals to childbirth classes, prenatal massage, prenatal yoga, support groups, post-partum support
• Assistance with breastfeeding

Spiritual Support for Comfort and Peace

Giving birth is a rite of passage for women. It’s a sacred moment that deserves to be cherished. Your doula will be with you, instill positivity, and carry out the spiritual practices during labor that bring you comfort and peace. Whether that be praying, positive affirmations, meditations, or yoga, your doula will support you.

Communication and Advocacy

Having a doula understand and share your birth vision during labor can be beneficial to solidify your desires during childbirth.

• Supporting the mother’s choices for delivery and newborn care
• Facilitating communication for the mother’s choices to the medical staff
• Discussing positive communication techniques before labor

Hospitals & Midwife Centers

Below is a list of Hospitals and Midwife Centers that deliver in my servicing area. If you do not see your hospital in my service area, we can work together to contact your hospital of choice and discuss the role of a doula in your birth vision. I service the greater Pittsburgh area including but not limited to Allegheny county, Westmoreland county, Beaver county, Butler county and more in southwestern and northwestern PA. I will also attend home births.

Hospitals and Midwife Centers that I deliver in:

The Midwife Center
Allegheny Health Network
UPMC
Heritage Valley Health System
St. Clair Health
Penn Highlands Healthcare
Home birth

To visit the above hospital’s websites, please click the logos below.

Southwestern Pennsylvania | Greater Pittsburgh Area

Northwestern Pennsylvania | Elk & Surrounding Counties

Home Birth

By request, I will attend your home birth and be a part of your birthing team in the comfort and privacy of your own home. For you and your baby’s safety, home births must be supervised by a midwife or other trained medical person. I offer help and support in choosing the type of birth that you want, and can offer guidance and discussion if a home birth is right for your birth vision.