I am a childbirth educator, certified Birth Doula, La Leche League leader, and have trained as a Dancing for Birth™ instructor and Hypno-Doula. I am conveniently located near the Altamont foothills and am able to assist moms throughout the East Bay, South Bay, Peninsula, and parts of the Central Valley. Labor and Birth Doula for: San Joaquin County, Mountain House, San Jose, Fremont, Campbell, Stockton, Modesto, Manteca, Tracy, Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Brentwood, Antioch, Pittsburg, Concord, Walnut Creek, Stanislaus, Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, Contra Costa, Tri-Valley, Santa Clara, Cupertino, California
My clients may choose from two packages: Birth Doula Services or Birth Doula, plus Childbirth Education series. See below for current rates and discounts.
I also offer private Childbirth Education classes separate from a doula package. For more information, click here.
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Basic Services Provided
* Consultation visit to determine compatibility
* Two prenatal visits
* Unlimited phone and email support during pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum
* Assistance in creating a birth plan, if needed
* Personalized, written mediation or hypnosis script for you to practice at home
* On-call status 24/7 from 2 weeks before your due date until your baby is born
* Labor and birth support at home and/or hospital
* Use of my TENS machine during labor
* Assistance with breastfeeding, if desired
* Breastfeeding support any time after the birth
* Babywearing demonstration and assistance in selecting a carrier, if desired
* Custom Cashmere Cuddles baby wrap, x-sling, or mei tai for cost
* Information on cloth diapering or elimation communication, if desired
* Access to my lending library
* Birth Story, if desired
* One postpartum visit, preferably within two weeks of the birth
What’s included:
First Prenatal Visit (2 hours)
* Birth Plan counseling
* Couple questionnaire
* Basic childbirth education
* Discuss relaxation and breathing techniques, including basic instruction in self-hypnosis for labor if desired
* Relaxation exercise
Second Prenatal visit (90 minutes - 2 hours)
* Review Birth Plan
* Discuss physical and emotional issues
* Discuss exercises and positions to get you ready for labor, including movement activities such as Dancing for Birth™
* Show partner massage, acupressure, and rebozo relaxation techniques
* Relaxation exercise
* Personalized guided meditation, if desired
Labor and Birth (time varies -- the longest I've spent with a client is 57 hours, but it averages around 20 hours for a first baby)
* Phone support in early labor until such time that you would like me to arrive at your home or hopsital
* Arrival at your home to provide support and assist in assessing when to go to the hospital, if you are planning a hospital birth
* Bring comfort and labor support items such as TENS unit, Kinesio tape, birth ball, massage tools, focal tools, rebozo, etc.
* Provide a calm voice, massage, acupressure, and other comfort strategies
* Suggest position changes, guidance in breathing and relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, if available, and other strategies to help labor progress and the mother to focus
* Provide advocacy for clients with healthcare providers, family and friends to honor the birthing woman's needs and choices
* Help clients to know what their choices are when an intervention is proposed
* Make sure bonding and breastfeeding are well on their way after birth
Postpartum Visit (1-2 hours)
* Discuss the birth experience
* Discuss breastfeeding and referral to a lactation consultant, if necessary
* Discuss nutrition and support resources
* Discuss any postpartum issues and support resources
Things that are outside the scope of my work and that I will not do:
* Performing clinical tasks such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks or vaginal exams
* Make decisions for you
* Speak on your behalf to the medical staff concerning your care
* Interfere with fathers and other birth partners during labor and birth
Birth Doula, plus Childbirth Education Series
Everything that is included in the Basic Services listed above, plus integration of my more complete Childbirth Education class. You can choose between 2 3-hour prenatal visits or 3 2-hour visits.
Available rates and discounts:
Birth Doula Services: $1250
Birth Doula, plus Childbirth Education: $1400
Private Childbirth Education, without doula services: $300
Belly Casting: $75 for unfinished cast; $250-500 for fully painted and embellished casts.
Families living in Livermore, Mountain House, Tracy, Byron, or Brentwood receive a 20% discount on doula services and childbirth education.
Families planning a homebirth attended by a licensed midwife receive a 15% discount on doula services and childbirth education. I am unable to attend planned unassisted births.
If you are a birth mother planning an adoption or are the partner of an active military member who will be deployed during the time your baby is due, please contact me about special reduced rates.
If you would like additional visits at home (prenatal or postpartum) or to have me accompany you to your midwife or OB appointments, my fee is $30 an hour, and may require reimbursement for gas, tolls, and parking fees.
Payment plans available.