What is a Birth Doula? A woman who is there by your side supporting you and your partner during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Doulas are trained in the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and newborn care. While Dr.’s and nurses have shift changes and other patients, a doula is there just
for you and your partner.
Doulas reduce the risk of: - C-section by 50% - Epidural use by 60% - Pitocin use by 40%
- Narcotic use 30% - Forceps by 40%
- Length of labor by 20% - Also decreases the risk of episiotomy and
post partum depression
Increases the rate of: - Improved neonatal outcome - Better mother-infant bonding - Greater birth satisfaction - Better partner interaction - Feeling of empowerment through birth
Doulas:
- Realize childbirth is a key life experience - Provide continuous support, comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and information about the birth process - Work with the important personal and medical people on your team - Want childbirth to be a positive empowered
experience
Labor Support Services
- Free meeting and consultation.
- At least 2 prenatal meetings. - Continuous prenatal contact by phone. - Helping you to make a Birth Plan. - 24 hour on call availability. - Full access to our Lending
Library of books and videos - Continuous support throughout your labor and delivery - Breastfeeding help and advice - Newborn care advice
Fees: $800.00-1,200.00 Sliding Scale
Homebirth Midwifery
Many women feel that the best place for them to give birth is in the comfort of their own home.
We support women fully in their ability to choose their place of birth.
Studies now show that homebirth is as safe or safer than hospital birth for low risk mothers and babies.
Circle of Life provides homebirth midwifery referrals to women in all walks of life. Midwifery is all about the individual attention for each client. Caring, patient, one on one care for your entire pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.
If homebirth is something that interests you
feel free to give us a call or email and we will be glad
to answer all of your questions.
Breastfeeding Counseling
Breastfeeding is a wonderful start for a child, and has
many benefits for mother and child, but there can
be challenges along the way. We believe there are a
few key things that make for a successful
breastfeeding relationship:
-determination -support from family and friends -knowledge of how your breast and baby work together -knowing where to go to get help during challenging times
We can help with those challenging times. We will draw from many resources, personal experience, lactation consultants, La Leche League, to help
Childbirth Education Classes We believe that Childbirth Education is a very important part of the childbearing process. Classes give both of you a chance to learn about the natural and normal happenings in the birth process, and that labor and delivery doesn’t need to be feared.
You Will Learn: - How your body works to birth the baby - Common terms and procedures - Positions for labor and birth - Prenatal exercises to strengthen your body - How to make a Birth Plan - Procedures for the newborn including
"The Circumcision decision" - Breastfeeding basics - Relaxation and Visualizations
- How to pick a Dr./Midwife and birth
environment- hospital, birthing center or home that have the same beliefs about the labor and birth as you do
Classes are taught privately in the comfort of your own home, or in small groups.
Fees: $200.00 2-4 week class
Belly Casting
What is a pregnancy belly cast?
A pregnancy belly cast is a plaster cast made of an expecting mom's beautiful pregnant form. Belly casting enables moms to create a lasting memory of their pregnancy in the privacy of mom's home in just 30 minutes. Photos and video can't capture an expecting mom's shape the way our pregnancy belly cast can. A pregnancy belly cast enables a mom to forever remember how she looked during her pregnancy and the special nine months she shared with her growing baby.
As one mom aptly put it, "It is a really cool way of capturing your pregnant body. You can show your child later that this is what mom looked like when you were inside!"
and relax those sore, tired, pregnant muscles. Studies have shown that women who regularly exercise have less pain and shorter labors and regain their pre-pregnancy shape quicker. Yoga is a wonderful way to achieve these benefits. Jennifer teachs a wonderful prenatal yoga class, that is gentle, fun and for ANY skill level.
A blessingway is a traditional Native American ceremony that celebrates a woman's
transition into motherhood, and helps
her to prepare for childbirth. A Blessing Way is one of the most sacred ceremonies associated with pregnancy. Traditionally
a Blessing Way is a women only ceremony, however many women choose to include men. A Blessing Way is performed late in the pregnancy and is to give the mother to be strength for the deeply spiritual rite of passage she is about to encounter
during her birth.
Traditionally Blessing Way Ceremonies pamper the mother with a foot bath, hair brushing, well wishes and gifts of nature from her guests. Many times poems and positive affirmations are read. Manywomen choose to customize their Blessing Way to reflect their inner beliefs.
We help to plan and organize your ceremony. Many women choose for us to perform the ceremony, while others choose a close female friend to lead the Blessing Way.
Please call to discuss details and fees
Circle
of Life
Need to make Payments? Inquire about our flexible payment plans and discounts for using multiple services. Also note that most of our services are on a sliding scale.
