Education

Based on your questions and concerns, I can offer evidence-based information about pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, empowering you to make informed decisions.

Birth Plan Assistance

We work together to create a personalized birth plan that reflects your needs, preferences, and values, that can be easily shared with your birth team.

Emotional Support

Together we can create advocacy strategies to help you confidently communicate your needs, navigate hospital policies, and feel empowered to be the director of your own birth story. I can provide reassurance, encouragement, and a non-judgmental space for you to express concerns or fears, and help guide you towards being present to and facing them.

Partner Support

I am present to support both you and your partner. We can work together to prepare your partner on how to best support you during labor and birth.

Physical Preparation & Coping Techniques

We can discuss and try a variety of relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and physical comfort measures to manage pain and stress during labor. Some options we can move through include counter-pressure, massage, positioning, breathing techniques, rhythmic rituals, vocalizations, and the use of water.

Labor Expectations

We will discuss potential alternative labor scenarios, so you're prepared for any unforeseen changes that could occur in your birth plan.

Continuous Labor Support

I provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support throughout the entirety of your labor process - whether at home, in a hospital, or birthing center.

Physical and Mental Comfort Measures & Pain Management Options

I can guide you through natural pain relief options (meditations, massage, positioning, rhythmic movements, breathing techniques, and vocalizations), as well as discuss medical interventions (epidurals or medications) - so you have any necessary information to make informed decisions.

Advocacy

I empower and support you to use your voice and communicate your preferences and needs with the medical team, ensuring your birth plan is respected.

Partner Support

I am there to help your partner to be the most supportive partner they can be; helping them to remain calm, focused, and actively involved in the birth process. I can offer them guidance and reassurance when needed.

Emotional Reassurance

I offer acknowledgment , continuous emotional support, and calming energy to help you stay confident and focused during labor.

Positioning

I can suggest and help you get into various positions to help the baby move downwards in the birth canal, and support optimal positioning for delivery.

Informational Support

I can help you to navigate decisions during labor by offering evidence based information about medical procedures and options available.

Monitoring Progress

I can help monitor and track of your labor’s progression, offering suggestions and facts based on your progress. I encourage you to listen to your own intuition, and trust that your body knows how to move through the birthing process.

Post-Birth Immediate Support

I can stay with you for immediate postpartum support including helping with initial bonding and breastfeeding, bonding, and make sure that you are safely and comfortably settling in with your new one.

Breastfeeding Support

I offer guidance with latching and positioning for feeding, help to address breastfeeding challenges (sore nipples, low or over production of milk supply, etc.), and help outline feeding and pumping schedules.

Infant Care

I can help you to monitor and understand baby’s feeding cues and habits, as well as share tutorials for infant soothing, diapering, and bathing.

Emotional Support

I provide a non-judgmental, empathetic and compassionate listening ear during what can be an emotional transition into parenthood. I offer support to your partners as they adjust to their new role, and can work with you to understand signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, making referrals if needed.

Postpartum Recovery Assistance

I can assist with and offer suggestions for the physical recovery from birth, including herbal sitz baths, perineal care, hydration and nutrition. I can also offer advice on the many needs of postpartum body changes, including breastfeeding related discomforts.

Practical Support

I can provide light housekeeping in this transitory time (laundry, tidying, or organizing space to accommodate the new baby). This includes preparing restorative and nutritious meals that encourage healing for the postpartum body. I can also run any necessary errands that may be helpful (grocery shopping, pharmacy visits, etc.) and care for pets or other siblings.

Partner Support

I can work with you and your partner to assure your needs are being met in your new roles as parents, and offer guidance on how partners can best help with baby care and postpartum recovery. I can work with partners to talk about newborn care and sleep routines, and ensure your partner is also taking care of themselves during this transitory time.

Sleep Support

I can offer guidance on creating sleep routines and a calm sleep environment for baby. I can offer suggestions on safe co-sleeping or crib sleeping based on client preferences, and discuss sleep training.

Resources

I can provide you with local contacts for lactation consultants, pediatricians, pelvic floor specialists, or other healthcare providers. This can include support groups for new parents or those experiencing postpartum depression. I can also share reading resources and local classes that support new parents.