What is a Birth Doula?

The word "doula" comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

Why Hire a Doula?

Research has shown that when doulas are present at birth, the laboring woman is less likely to use pain medications, less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction, forceps or by cesarean, and report greater overall satisfaction with their birth experience.*  Whether you are giving birth in a hospital, a free-standing birth center, or at home, a doula will be there for solely for your continuous emotional and physical support.

*(http://childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10272&ClickedLink=200&area=2)

My Role as a Birth Doula

As a Birth Doula, I provide continual support to a woman and her partner/family during labor, delivery, and immediately following birth.  Prior to labor, I can help you find answers to your questions regarding pregnancy, labor, delivery, your newborn, and breastfeeding.  My services includes two pre-natal visits, and will be on-call for you 24/7 beginning with your 37th week of gestation.  During labor, I offer comfort measures and labor progressing techniques, relief for your partner, and will help you find answers to your questions that may arise during labor.  After delivery, I will stay with you for one to two hours, or until breastfeeding has been established.  I then provide two postpartum visits, one typically within 24 hrs after the birth and the second one no later than two weeks after the birth.  My role is refined during prenatal visits to meet the needs of each of my clients.

My Philosophy on Birth

I believe that birth is a natural, physiological process, with a profoundness and sacredness that cannot be written about, only experienced.  To be invited to share in that experience is truly an honor and a blessing, whether you choose to birth in a hospital, a freestanding birth center, or at home; with or without medications, etc.  I also believe that your choices should be honored through continual, compassionate, and loving support. 

A Personal Note About Me

I am the mother of two daughters, 26 and 24. My oldest graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has begun her adult life in St. Louis and continues to pine for the Pacific Northwest!  Her sister earned an AAS from South Seattle Community College in the Pastry & Specialty Baking Program and is currently working on her Bachelors at SSCC for Hotel & Restaurant Management. It's hard to wrap my brain around how fast they have grown. Luckily for my husband, we all enjoy camping, baseball, music, and classic cars!    

Birth Doula Training

I trained as a birth doula at Bates Technical College in Nov/Dec 2002 and am certified through PALS Doulas.  I am actively involved with the doula community by attending general meetings, continuing education meetings, advanced doula trainings, and by joining the PALS Board of Directors.

Fees and Further Details 

My current rate is $800.00 (sliding up scale), which includes two pre-natal visits and two postpartum visits. The first postpartum visit is typically the day following birth to help with infant feeding support and to check in on your recovery.  The second visit is scheduled within the two weeks after the birth to process the birth and hold the baby!  Complete details will be discussed in an interview. 

I am also a certified Postpartum Doula and have package rates available, should you choose to hire me for both Birth and Postpartum support. 

To set-up an interview with me, you can call me at (206) 898-9793, email me at angie@gratefuldoula.com, or simply by clicking here! 

To check my availability, please see the calendar below.