Doula Care
What is a Doula? - Pregnancy - Labour - Postpartum
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To confirm doula care please complete the contract and registration form
*Receive a savings of $100 when you register for doula care and prenatal classes.
Toronto doula services by The Nesting Place brings thoughtful and understanding doula support to all parents. I support families of all walks of life and believe that birthing naturally means birthing in the way that comes naturally to you. Whether at home or in the hospital, with a midwife or doctor, with or without medical pain support, vaginally and by cesarean birth; birth unfolds in many ways.
As your doula, I support your personal preferences and desires.
Why Invite a Doula?
How Doulas Hold Space
Partners and Doulas
What is a doula?
A doula offers emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, labour and the immediate postpartum.
Pregnancy:
Interview: To get to know one another, we can talk over the phone or meet for an interview free of charge. This is a good opportunity to ask any questions about my doula services and to see if we would work well together. Choosing a doula is a very personal decision. The doula you choose should be one you are compatible and comfortable with.
Should we choose to work together, I will reserve your due date on my calendar and be on call for you 24 hours a day for questions, concerns and for your labour.
Prenatal Visits: During your pregnancy doula services includes two prenatal visits where we will explore your hopes and preferences for labour and postpartum, address any fears or concerns regarding your pregnancy labour or parenting and see how I may best support you during childbirth. We will also do some activities that help build a pain coping mindset for labour.
Phone Support: In addition to our meetings, I am also available by phone for questions and concerns at any time. As your doula, I encourage you to call me whenever something changes that may indicate the onset of labour. Consistent communication allows me to give you the best support possible and prepare well for your labour.
Community Referrals: I am familiar with a number a resources for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in Toronto and will provide references for you if desired. I may also refer to a practitioner should your questions or needs be out of my scope of practice.
Labour:
At the onset of labour I will come to your home or meet you at the hospital. Typically, I support you during labour well before the transition to hospital or the arrival of your midwife. During this time, I can help interpret the progress of labour, provide comfort measures, offer alternative pain coping practices, prepare food and offer support and reassurance to partners.
A doula works in a team with your partner. As your doula, I work with your partner to support their experience of labour and the transition to parenthood. In our prenatal visits, our discussions and activities build confidence in partners as they find their comfort level as labour support. During your labour, I help partners to become involved to the degree they are comfortable, and will continue to support the birthing mom if her partner needs a break to sleep or eat.
How is a doula different than a midwife or nurse? Midwives and nurses are trained to provide the best clinical care for you possible. A doula does not perform any clinical tasks and can devote her entire attention to your emotional and physical needs during labour. A doula will also accompany you in early labour, well before you go to the hospital and/or your midwife arrives.
During labour I can help you focus, provide opportunities for you to discuss your labour with your health care team, advocate for your preferences, provide comfort measures and create a birthing environment that makes you feel nurtured and listened to.
After your baby is born I will stay with you for two-three hours. In this time, I will continue to advocate for you and hold space for your new family. If you would like pictures of this time, please provide a camera and I will take photos while you bond as a new family. I will also tidy your home or birth area and provide basic breastfeeding support.
Postpartum:
We meet twice in the weeks following your baby's birth. I prefer to meet once in your baby's first week and once in the second or third week of postpartum. During these visits breastfeeding and baby care support is provided. We can also explore how you are feeling about your transition to parenthood and the challenges you have met so far.
We can also discuss your experience of birth and answer any questions you may have about your labour experience.
In this fragile time, I continue to make myself available to you by phone.
Fees are $950 + gst for doula care. The fee in total or in post-dated cheques is required by our first prenatal meeting to ensure your due date is reserved. Please contact Amanda to arrange your free interview!
*Receive a savings of $100 when you register for doula care and prenatal classes.
*Offer does not apply to Birthin' Again classes or private classes under 5hrs.
