Birth Services
Birth services include...
- A free preliminary interview with mothers (and support partner if preferred).
- Two to four prenatal visits, upon agreement to provide services, provide time for me
to get to know the mother through her health history, previous birth experiences, birth plan,
and expectations for the upcoming birth. During this time we will discuss coping techniques,
practice positioning, and identify the ways in which I can be most helpful during pregnancy,
labor, birth, and postpartum.
- Unlimited access to phone and email support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also included
is access to my ever-growing library of pregnancy, birth, and parenting books, movies, and
other resources. Review sheets are provided as items are borrowed so that future clients can
see what other moms, partners, families, and Barbara thought was helpful, interesting, and
powerful.
- Labor support beginning when I join a mom in early or active labor and continuing
through the birth and into the postpartum time where I stay to ensure that the family is
comfortable and cared for. Labor assistance includes the physical (massage, positioning,
aromatherapy, coping techniques), emotional (guided meditation, encouragement) and
informational (clarification of terms and procedures, advocate for birth plan,
communicative link between mom and healthcare providers) guidance for mom and those who
are present to offer her love and support at the birth.
- After birth presence, where I can assist in initiating breastfeeding at this time if
the mother so wishes.
- Birth services conclude with a postpartum visit to the family home
one to two weeks after the birth as a time to check in with mom, screen for postpartum
issues, facilitate connections to the community, and to recount and share in the birth
story. This is also a time to address any questions about transitions for mom and the
family physically, mentally, and emotionally. Additional postpartum visits and care are
available and are described in Postpartum Services.
Birth services are provided as a package and are currently being provided on a stipend basis.
Bartering for services and rate discounts may be possible. Contact Barbara for more information.