Hi Mama!

I’m so glad you’re here, taking the time to explore how to make your ideal birth and postpartum experience come to fruition. Whether you’ve just started thinking about hiring a doula or you’re looking for more information on the process, you’re in the right place! Let’s dive into some of the most common questions and topics that come up when considering doula support -

What Is a Birth Doula, and How Can They Help With Birth?

If you’re wondering, “how a doula can help with birth?” let me tell you—there’s a lot that we do! Think of a doula as your personal birth guide, someone who’s there to support you emotionally, physically, and even spiritually during labor. But it’s not just labor - we do so much preparation ahead of time to make sure you feel informed and confident in achieving the birth you desire. Most of our clients are striving for an unmedicated birth, avoiding as many interventions as possible, and I don’t think it’s wise to just waltz into your birth room (especially if it’s a hospital) without any preparation thinking you can fully achieve that with ease.

Here’s a glimpse of what we would typically provide in our standard birth doula support package:

Pregnancy Support:

• Regular check-ins: We usually provide at least 2 prenatal visits in the comfort of your own home in addition to check-ins via text/phone call/email throughout your pregnancy leading up to birth.

• Education: Sharing information on prenatal nutrition to avoid intervention, how to achieve your birth plan, what to expect in labor, what to expect in your birthing location, etc.

• Birth Planning Assistance: Helping create a personalized birth plan that aligns with your preferences and discussing in detail what that could look like with your provider and your birthing location.

• Comfort Techniques: Teaching relaxation, breathing exercises, counter pressure, massage, acupressure points, rebozo comfort measures, positions for labor, etc.

• Mental Preparation for Birth: Addressing fears, answering questions, and providing practical tools, resources, and “homework” to help build your confidence.

Birth Support:

• Continuous Physical Support: Offering various comfort measures to help labor progress, reminding you to use the restroom to help labor progress, offering water and food, etc.

• Emotional Encouragement: Offering reassurance, motivation, and checking in with how you’re feeling emotionally.

• Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Guiding through breathing patterns and relaxation exercises, making sure you stay in a parasympathetic state to help labor progress and to help maintain a positive experience.

• Advocacy: Helping communicate birth preferences to the medical team, ensuring your wishes are respected. Keeping an eye on the room to make sure things stay in alignment with your birth desires.

• Support for Partners: Guiding partners on how to be actively involved and supportive and making sure they are eating and resting if and when needed.

Postpartum Support:

• Emotional Support: Our team does at least 1 postpartum visit as well as checking in regularly to offer supportive resources, advice, and/or guidance. Our team will usually process the birth with you at the first postpartum visit.

• Newborn Care Guidance: Helping with breastfeeding, diapering, bathing, and understanding baby cues.

• Physical Recovery Assistance: Tips for postpartum healing and comfort measures.

• Household Help: Light chores, meal prep, and creating a calm environment.

• Support for Partners & Family: Helping the whole family adjust to the new addition and offering guidance to partners on how to support mama.

Our goal is to give you an immense amount of guidance and support to achieve your birth plan and advocate for your needs, helping to avoid unnecessary intervention rates and make your birth experience feel more positive and exciting.

How to Hire a Birth Doula: What to Look For

How do you choose the right doula? Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Look for someone who aligns with your birth philosophy. If you’re hoping for a natural, intervention-free birth, find a doula who shares that goal and has experience supporting those kinds of births.

2. Check out testimonials and reviews. Personal stories from other parents can give you a sense of how a doula works and the kind of support they provide. Check out our testimonials here: Google & Yelp

3. Schedule a consultation! Get to know them 1:1 during a consultation where you can feel out their personality, what makes them unique in their practice, what their packages include, if their rates fit within your budget, etc.

At Anointed Births, we offer a range of services tailored to different types of birth and personal preferences. We’re happy to set up a free consultation so you can ask questions and get to know us before making any decisions.

Cost of Hiring a Birth Doula: Is It Worth It?

The cost of hiring a doula can vary based on location, experience, offerings, etc. When you hire a doula, most times, you’re not just paying for someone to show up on the day you give birth. You’re investing in continuous support throughout your pregnancy, labor, and sometimes even postpartum. Doulas can help you feel less anxious, more prepared, and better able to advocate for yourself. Plus, studies have shown that doula support can lead to shorter labors, reduced need for pain relief, and lower rates of C-sections. I find that most mamas are striving to avoid unnecessary interventions in their birth and if that’s you, a doula could be well worth it.

Here at Anointed Births, our rates range from $1200-$3200 for birth doula support depending on which doula you hire from our team. Each doula has her own rates, packages, and special offerings. Our typical, standard birth doula package includes 2 prenatal visits in the comfort of your own home to prepare and plan for the birth you’re envisioning, active labor support, and at least 1 postpartum visit. We also offer custom packages - maybe you’re a 2nd, 3rd, 4th+ time mama and you only want active labor support, we’ve got you! Maybe you just want a birth planning session because you have specific questions about your birthing location and your desired birth plan, we’ve got you! Or, maybe you want to practice comfort measures with an experienced doula for you and your birth companion, we’ve got you!

Over 60% of our clients have had epidural-free births, less than 1% of our clients have had a cesarean birth (.06% to be exact), and we have a 100% successful VBAC rate with our clients (these stats are as of September 2024). Personally, I’d say the investment is worth it depending on what your birth goals are and who you’re hiring!

Do I Need a Doula?

Let me say this: Birth is a mystery and it can be unpredictable. Having an experienced doula by your side who is familiar with most of the local birthing locations, is comfortable with the birth process, knows how to comfort and calm, and is there solely for you can make a huge difference. Even if you have a supportive partner, a doula can add another layer of support, helping you feel empowered and confident, and a doula can also support your birth companion during the birth as well.

Every birthing experience is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why our team at Anointed Births takes the time to get to know you, understand your birth preferences, and work alongside you to make your experience as peaceful and fulfilling as possible. So, if you’re questioning it and wondering if it’s the right set up for you, reach out to schedule a free consultation!

Postpartum Doula Services

The journey doesn’t end once your baby arrives and that’s where postpartum doula services can be a game-changer. The early days with a newborn can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first baby, you have other littles at home that need care and attention, and/or you had a long birth or a c-section. A postpartum doula is wonderful way to help you navigate those changes smoothly. From breastfeeding support to newborn care, meal prep, and simply being a listening ear, we’re there to help make your transition smoother.

At Anointed Births, we offer personalized postpartum support - from daytime support to nighttime support. Let us know if you have any questions about postpartum and newborn care.

Ready to Learn More? Let’s Chat!

If you’ve been thinking about how a doula could make your birth and postpartum experience feel more supported and empowered, we’d love to chat! Book a free consultation

Stay Tuned…

for more tips, stories, and resources on how to have your best birth!

And in the meantime, if you are looking for in-person support in Orange County, LA County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire, click the button below to schedule your FREE consultation for any of the following services:

• Birth Classes

• Birth & Postpartum Doula Services

• Birth Photography & Videography

• Placenta Encapsulation

• Lactation Support

• Private Birth Planning Sessions

• & More!

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