Services

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One of the questions I am asked most often is, "What exactly does a Doula do?" Normally, I meet with clients twice prenatally, attend the entire labour and birth, and then meet once again a few weeks postpartum. Unlike other comparable doula service packages where you must pay extra for childbirth preparation classes, I have incorporated all of this integral information and training in my prenatal visits.

Here is a general overview of what you can expect under the care of Your Special Delivery Doula Services:

First Prenatal Visit

	Labour and Birth Planning Process · What is a birth plan? How is it useful?
	The labour and birth process - varying emotional and physical needs of the mother throughout.
	Common medical interventions - including benefits and risks.
	Common newborn tests and procedures.
	Variety of physiological positions and movements for labour and birth.
	Various comfort measures for labour.
	Variety of comfort measures for labour rated on pain relief provided, physical control retained by mother, mental control, percent of people helped and safety.
	Backache in labour - Why does it happen? What can be done about it?
	Optimal fetal positioning.
	Full description of pain medications for labour - including method of administration, desired effects, and any side effects on the mother and fetus/newborn.
	Clarifying mother and father's feelings about pain medications in childbirth: Pain Medications Preference Scale.
	The overall benefits/risks of the effects of pain medications on the mother, the labour and the fetus/baby.
	Full range of birth plan options.
	Birth planning documents.

Second Prenatal Visit

	Clarification and finalization of birth plan.
	Pregnancy and birth affirmations.
	A woman's health bill of rights and responsibilities.
	How to deal with changes in the birth plan if and when required.
	What is a fulfilling birth experience?
	Progress in labour - possible, preliminary and positive signs of labour.
	Early labour record - timing contractions, contacting care provider(s).
	What to do when you're in labour - mother and father.
	Fetal well-being - fetal movement counting.
	Practice positioning and simple comfort methods.
	Prenatal preparations for postpartum - a practical guide.
	Postpartum physical adjustments.
	Postpartum perineal care.
	Postpartum depression.

Labour and Birth

	Continuous emotional, informational and physical support to both mother and father.
	Explanation of birth process and various medical interventions, including risks, benefits and alternatives.
	Comfort measures, such as massage, hot/cold therapy, positioning.
	Reminding mother and father (and clinical staff) of birth plan, as required.
	Emotional support and advocacy for parents' wishes.
	Documentation of the labour and birth with both photographs and a birth story.

Postpartum Visit

	Presentation of birth photo album to parents.
	Presentation of birth story to parents.
	Review of the labour and birth - was the birth plan followed?
	Discussion of each parents' memories of the birth - good and bad.
	Breastfeeding concerns/questions addressed, as necessary.
	General concerns/questions addressed, as necessary.
	Additional referrals, as needed.

In addition to the services described above, I also provide extensive support via the telephone during pregnancy and after childbirth, as determined by each individual families' requirements. Two weeks before the mother's due date, I am on call 24 hours a day until the delivery. I will make prior arrangements with another Doula in the Edmonton area to provide back-up in the event I am unable to attend the birth. For the parents' peace of mind, I can have the back-up Doula phone to briefly introduce herself and discuss their birth plans.

Your Special Delivery's fee for the comprehensive doula services as listed above is $550.