When do you arrive to support my labor?

We'll be talking over the phone during the stages of labor so that I can give you extra support prior to my arrival, which we determine based on what's happening, where you live, and the time of day (traffic!).

If I'm not yet with you and you believe labor is progressing quickly or that you might be transitioning, then I would advise that we meet at the hospital. After your exam, if you are in early labor and not as close as anticipated (it happens), we can walk around the hospital together to keep progress moving forward and decide on a new plan, if necessary. Sometimes, clients who live more than 45 minutes from the hospital, choose to check into a hotel and labor in luxury!

Do you come to my home or the hospital during labor?

Both! My goal is to keep you comfortable in labor at your home for as long as you want to stay there. Mamas make better progress at home and there is little risk of an unwanted intervention.

How do you help Dad or my partner during labor?

Let me count the ways....I can reassure him or her that everything is normal and right on time. I can calmly explain what's happening if there is a curve ball and a medical intervention must take place. I can provide information about interventions if one is suggested by your maternity care provider to "speed things along". I will remind your partner to ask your care provider for any known risks and possible benefits of the suggested procedure or medicine (since you may not be able to speak or think clearly). This allows time for considering all options, giving informed consent and remembering your original birth plan. 

My presence at a labor allows the partner to take breaks, make phone calls, use the bathroom and catch a quick nap. If your partner wants to be your main support person and actively involved, I support him by showing where to apply counter pressure, massage, etc. I provide an extra pair of loving hands during labor and help to relieve the stress load on the shoulders of your partner. Here is a Dad's point of view.

How many waterbirths have you witnessed?

50-60? Maybe even more...the same is probably true of hypnobirths. They usually go hand-in-hand with each other.

Are you familiar with HypnoBirthing or Hypnobabies?

Definitely. I am a trained Hypnobabies hypno-doula and love supporting clients who choose this method of childbirth. I've seen women snore through transition / transformation and breathe their babies out gently. It is truly remarkable but leaves the OB speechless! I believe to effectively use hypnosis during childbirth, mamas need to practice regularly and have a trained hypno-doula present to assist during the birthing time.

Do you support clients that plan to use an epidural?

Yes, I most certainly do! The point of the birthday party is to welcome your baby with joy and love and if you are upset, in pain, or exhausted, you probably aren't having an enjoyable time. Birth is wonderful and beautiful however you choose to celebrate it. I've got "special tricks" for epidural clients and encourage you to choose what is right for you and your body. I won't judge you.

How many times will we meet?

Likely, two or three times. We will meet for our 2 hour prenatal meeting to review your birthday wishes and discuss what to pack in your hospital bag, and after that, we will meet again during labor. If you are using the Hypnobabies at-home study program, then we will meet for an additional prenatal meeting.

Do you offer a postpartum follow-up visit?

Yes, if requested. I am happy to support you in person, over the telephone, via text or email, and even using social media. I am here to help and do so happily. In the weeks or months that follow birth, most of my clients ask me over for lunch or we meet for coffee to catch up on each other's lives. I love my clients and want to stay in touch with them beyond childbirth.

Do you have children?

Not unless you count two dogs and a house cat! I've been frequently asked this question over my career and I feel it is something that I've had to overcome to prove my worth as a doula. I have no personal childbirth experience to compare to your own and this is to your benefit; I do not have to arrange childcare when you start to labor. I have supported a wide variety of births and each is different and special; I am fully equipped to support you and attune to your special needs.

Do you accept insurance?

No. It would be wonderful if your insurance provider covered my fee. I encourage clients to file a claim with their insurance companies. So go ahead and stir the pot a bit, make some calls, write some letters and request changes. Doulas are proven to lower c-section rates and postpartum depression. Hopefully your efforts will make a difference! I can provide you with proof of my certification so that you may submit a copy, if requested.

Why do you charge a doula fee of $850 (sometimes more/less)?

The right doula for you is priceless. Please interview several doulas you can afford so that you are comfortable with whomever you hire. In Atlanta, certified doulas who have attended 50+ births have fees ranging from $600 - 1,200. A trained, uncertified and less experienced doula may only charge $300-550. In NYC, the going rate for a doula with 100+ births under her belt costs more than $2,200. 

Figure the hours involved in setting a fee: training and certification, continuing education, time spent conducting interviews, prenatal appointments, postpartum visits, travel time, mileage, email and phone support, etc. The support you might receive for labor and delivery could be anywhere from 5 to 50 hours, plus on-call support 24/7 for several weeks in a row! Even the most expensive doulas are a bargain. 

I charge $850* for birth support and accept credit card payments right from this website. If you prefer to pay in cash, please let me know.

*There is an additional fee of $199 per hypno couple that use the Hypnobabies at-home study program. I charge an additional $100 for rush-clients that book my services at 36 weeks gestation or later, and for clients who are out of my intown service area.

My service rates will increase October 1, 2013.

Have you previously worked with my caregiver?

I have worked with some great OBs and midwives! If your doctor is part of a practice, they may not be at your birth, and even if they are, they are only in the room for a brief time. If I haven't worked with them before, I will introduce myself and encourage collaboration on how to better serve our client/patient. Since care providers and I get along so well, I am often asked for a stack of business cards so they can refer patients to me. This is a nice perk for carefully advocating for my clients! 

What is your birth philosophy?

It is your body, baby and birthday party so you should decide how I will support you during labor! Specifically, I support whatever decisions that you make and feel are best for your family. My job is to make sure that your wishes are heard by your care provider and the hospital staff and that you have pertinent information to give informed consent at all times. This helps you achieve your goals and heart's desire!

Which hospitals do you work at?

I attend births at Atlanta Medical Center and Emory Midtown (both are located 10 minutes from my front door), Piedmont and Northside Hospitals. I work with clients that live near my home or the hospital, so that I may quickly get to them during labor.

My service area is within the perimeter of Atlanta and an additional fee of $100 is applied if travel requires me to go beyond the area of Northside Hospital. This fee applies to clients birthing at North Fulton Regional.

I prefer not to work at certain hospitals due to distance or poor policies such as separating partners during triage. Unless a client is an employee at the hospital, I charge an additional fee of $100 if the hospital is not listed above.

Have you needed to use back-up support?

Yes, the 100th client to book my services had her baby prematurely - when she called me for labor support, I was already at the hospital with another client in labor. I sent Alice Turner in my place as acting doula and recently again when I had two clients laboring at the same time. Although this hasn't been necessary to date, as a fail-safe, my clients are provided with the contact information for two of my back-up doulas in case I cannot be reached during a labor. I want to be sure that all women who want doula support will get it during childbirth.

Do you have a back-up team in place?

Yes! I rely on an excellent team of doulas to provide back-up support if two clients need assistance at the same time. My go-to doula for back-up assistance is Alice Turner. I am also a huge fan of another local doula, Ayla Harrison, who is also a prenatal yoga instructor at the Pierce Yoga System. 

If a client plans to use hypnosis during their birthing time, then I rely on a team of hypno-doulas and Hypnobabies educators to provide back-up support if I am unable to be with my client. Check out our website and get to know HypnosisLove and how with specialized training, we support hypnobirthing.

How many clients do you take per month?

I work with a maximum of 3 clients per month. Occasionally, I provide postpartum doula care and newborn support for birth clients. I work on a first-come, first-served basis but try to hold space on my calendar for repeat clients.