"Continuous labor support should be the norm, rather than the exception.  Continuous support from a caregiver during labour appears to confer the greatest benefits when the provider is not an employee of the institution."

- Cochrane Review on Effects of Continuous Labor Support, The Cochrane Library 

What type of services do you offer?

What kind of training and experience have you had?
I'm a Certified Doula through DONA International and a Licensed Massage Therapist registered with the TX State Department of Health.  In addition, I'm a Certified Breastfeeding Educator, and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.  I'm also the mother to three children.

What is your personal childbirth philosophy?
Women are capable of giving birth!  Giving birth is a natural bodily function and is not a medical emergency.

How do you feel about natural childbirth?
I'm all for it, but I realize that that is a choice each individual woman has to make for herself.   When one of my clients chooses to have a drug-free birth, she's almost always successful.  I use a lot of massage, positioning, and numerous other "tricks" that make labor much easier for a woman.   Lying in a hospital bed in agony is NOT what childbirth is all about!  I've even had a few clients that fully planned on getting an epidural, but never even got to the point that they felt they needed one, and they ended up having drug-free childbirth.  Having really good support in labor makes all the difference in the world!

How do you feel about medicated childbirth?
I'm all for it too...in a sense.  You never know what might come up, or what drugs a woman might be given during childbirth.  In the U.S. pitocin is used quite frequently, which makes contractions harder, longer, and more painful.  It's very difficult for a woman to tolerate this without pain medication.  Been there, done that myself, and I understand there's a point that women can get to where they've "had enough!"  I'm also very aware that many women have no desire for a drug-free birth.  In that case, it's my job to help them as much as possible so they can postpone drugs until they're well into labor.

Epidurals and narcotics have side-effects and can make labor slow down or even stop, so there are very valid reasons to at least wait until labor is very established and going well before getting drugs.  And that's my goal for women who go into childbirth knowing they want pain medication.  Then once a woman has an epidural or narcotics, it's my job to make sure she still moves a lot even if that means just rolling from side to side every 20 minutes or so (the more a woman moves during labor, the more the baby rotates and descends, which helps the baby move down).

I also keep an eye on the monitors much more closely after an epidural is given because the chance of the baby becoming distressed is greater.  Then I also guide the woman through pushing because if she's completely numb, it's often harder for her to push because she can't feel her body's natural urges.  I realize that I sound like I'm totally against the use of drugs, and I'm not.  But I am against the inappropriate use of drugs, which means before labor is well-established.

What services do you provide?
I meet with the parents well before delivery and do a lot of education.  We decide on a birth plan.  I am then available by phone or email for questions until the baby is born. 

When a mom goes into labor, I either meet her at her home or the hospital (some women prefer to labor at home as long as possible), and I help her through labor and delivery.  I then stay for at least an hour or so after delivery and assist the mom with breastfeeding.

I visit the mom at her house within a few days of the birth to go over the birth with her (birth can be kind of like your wedding day, a lot of women hardly remember a thing!) and also so I can help the mom with breastfeeding once her milk has come in.  I also love to hold and gush over the baby!

I educate and answer questions about newborn and postpartum care.  I stay in touch by phone and email for about a month or so after the baby is born because most new parents have lots of questions.  There's no real cut-off date as to when I'm no longer available.  I have many clients whose babies are well over a year old and they still email or call with questions about teething or introducing solid foods or rashes or whatever.  I do not give medical advice, but I do tell parents what is considered normal and I'm very up to date with American Academy of Pediatric recommendations. 

If anything ever sounds even slightly out of the ordinary I recommend the parents take the baby to their pediatrician.  I don't give medical advice, but I'm a wealth of information for "motherly advice."

Are you willing to meet with me at home before I go to the hospital?
Absolutely.

What do you charge for your services? Do you offer payment plans?
I charge $750 for my doula service, which includes meeting with you beforehand to go over your birth plan, attending your birth and helping you to breastfeed, and then going to your home a few days after birth to help again with breastfeeding and talk a bit about postpartum concerns.  My normal routine is to collect $375 when you hire me, and collect the other $375 at week 36 of your pregnancy. 

How does your private childbirth class work?  I come to your home and meet with you and your partner for about 3 hours showing videos, having discussion, and you have the opportunity to ask whatever questions you want.  It’s very laid back and informal, but a tremendous amount of information is relayed.  The class is based on the Lamaze Philosophy of Birth, and much of the same information is taught, but in an abbreviated fashion.  You’d be surprised at how much information can be taught in a few hours when only teaching a couple rather than a large class.  I charge $150 for the private childbirth class, and the class is customized specifically for you

How does your private breastfeeding class work?  I come to your home and meet with you and your partner.  I show breastfeeding videos, educate you on breastfeeding, and we work with a doll to practice breastfeeding techniques.  We also work with a balloon and lipstick, which gives parents a real enlightenment on the subtleties of a good breastfeeding latch!  I charge $150 for this private breastfeeding class.

How much do you charge for private breastfeeding consultation?  If I was your birth doula, there is no charge.  If I was not your birth doula, I charge $50/hr, with a $100 minimum.

Do you have any clients I can call as references?
Yes.  I always give new clients a list of references from clients who have used me as their birth and/or their postpartum doula.  You can also go to the testimonial page on this website and click on hotlinks to email former clients directly.

Can we meet for a face-to-face interview? Yes.  In fact, I recommend that you interview any doula whom you are considering.

Do you charge a fee for this meeting? The first interview is free of charge.

I noticed you are also listed with other websites.  Is there a difference?  Most clients find me through word-of-mouth referrals and the Internet.  However, I am listed on other websites which give are referrals. There is no fee to be referred to me and all pricing is the same, regardless of how you found me.

I hope this answered a few of your most pressing questions, but please feel free to email or call (972-467-5650) with any other questions you have. 

~Anna Marie