Services
I am a certified Birth Doula in Fresno, California. I offer several different services.
Birth Doula
I am a Fresno Birth Doula and I am a certified birth doula through DONA International.
This is how it all works:
The first interview is always free of charge. This gives us both a chance to get to know each other, and help us both decide if I am the right doula for you. Once that decision is made, and you would like to hire me, I require a deposit to reserve the dates, along with a few forms. The remainder of the fee is due 30 days before your due date.
Some exciting news is that many insurance companies are now reimbursing for doula services. I have all of the information and steps to take to help you with reimbursement.
After receiving your signed contract and deposit, we will schedule our next appointment. We will meet at least twice (or more) before your due date, to discuss birth choices, comfort measures that you are comfortable with, and any concerns. We will spend time developing a birth plan so that you know I will be advocating for what you want in this birth. We will discuss breastfeeding, postpartum issues, along with baby care. I have a large lending library with books and dvds that are available to all of my clients. There is no such thing as a silly question, and you may call for as many phone consultations as you need so that you can feel prepared and comfortable. I’m also available through email at anytime.
When you are in labor, or think you are in labor, please call me. This will give me time to get everything that I will need, and reschedule anything that I may have going on. If you are questioning whether or not to call me, that means you should call me! Anytime of day or night…call me! I will come to your home or to the hospital, depending upon your needs at the time.
Once we are together, I stay with you and continue to use whatever comfort measures work best for you. I will stay with you throughout the entire delivery. Some of the comfort measures that I use are massage, breathing, the birthing ball, alternate positioning and walking, ice and heat, aromatherapy, and relaxation methods.
Whenever it is possible, I will help you and baby establish initial breastfeeding within the first hour or so. I will stay with you until things have settled down. I also provide a follow up visit after you are home from the hospital. At this meeting, I will want to check on you, provide you with all of the pictures that I have taken on a CD, and a timeline of the birth. And of course, I will need to love on that precious baby! We can review any breastfeeding issues and answer any questions you may have.
I also follow DONA International’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for birth doulas. You can go to their website to read this information:
Standard of Practice: http://www.dona.org/aboutus/standards_birth.php
Code of Ethics: http://www.dona.org/aboutus/code_of_ethics_birth.php<
I believe that every woman deserves a doula, so I offer a payment plan, paypal, and can work with you towards achieving your goal.
Belly Casting
Belly casting is a fun and exciting way to remember your pregnant belly. Belly casting is a relatively simple and fun way to capture in three dimensions this very special time in your life. Belly casts can be done alone, with your partner or with a group of friends. It is becoming quite popular to do belly casts at baby showers. There is nothing that comes close to conveying the true beauty of being pregnant.
All of the molding materials are completely safe for both you and your baby. The process is quick, and the final result will be a lasting memory for you and your family to enjoy for many years.
Once the cast is done with the drying process, it is smoothed, sanded, and gessoed. Your belly cast can be left as an elegant white finish, or you can decorate it. If you have other children, they may have fun helping you in the decorating process. The sky is the limit on how to decorate your beautiful belly cast. Moms can hang their belly cast up on a wall as a decoration, use it as a bowl or pot a plant in it. Whatever you decide to do with it, it will always be a treasured memory.
Newborn Care
When you get home from the hospital, are you wondering what to do next? I offer classes on newborn care, which will help give you the confidence that you will need in caring for your brand new baby. In my classes we cover the following (but not limited to) areas:
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Cord Care: What to do when you get home
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Diapering: Do you know how to put a diaper on? or the many choices that are on the market such as cloth diapers, and the many different brands of diapers on the market today.
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Slings: Which one is right for you?
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How to dress you newborn
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Swaddling
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Breastfeeding
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How to give a bath to your newborn
The list goes on and on. We talk about what you want to know. I have baby dolls to practice on. Call me if you are interested in my Newborn Care Class.
BirthDaySuit Maternity
BirthdaySuit Maternity is a fun company that I co- own with my daughter, Kristy. We have fun designing and sewing labor gowns, so mamas will look and feel their best during labor.
” Birth Day Suit Maternity is run by a mother/daughter powerhouse! When Kristy was pregnant with her first baby, she joked that she was concerned her baby would be scared of her when he first saw her from looking “rough” after labor, so with that, she made her own maternity hospital gown. She strutted her stuff throughout the labor and delivery ward halls, loving how the attention she was getting helped distract her from a long 36 hours of labor! When her baby was 3 months old, Kristy and Kathryn decided that this product was a true need for all mommies-to-be, and it became their mission to help dress laboring women across the world! They created their maternity design studio and have been sewing ever since!”
