Doula Support

Our birth doula package includes:

• Two prenatal visits - 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length. Typically these meetings include labor support practice for partners and positions, Body Balancing and optimal fetal positioning activities (we are both certified Spinning Babies Aware Practitioners), preparing for birth as a rite of passage, pain-coping practices, postpartum planning, and other support as needed.

• Support by phone, email, or text from time of hire

• 24-hour on-call availability from two weeks before your estimated due date through the birth of your baby.

• Continuous support from when your labor begins (and you want support) through one to two hours after your baby is born

• One postpartum visit within one week of the birth to drop off a nourishing meal, do a gentle abdominal massage and belly binding, offer basic breastfeeding support and/or resources. Typically a one-hour visit.

• An optional second visit between three and six weeks postpartum to discuss and integrate your birth experience (we are skilled Birth Story Listeners), learn infant massage, baby wearing, and other practices, as desired. Also about an hour visit unless a Postpartum Sealing, Perineal Steam, Bone Closing, Belly Binding, and/or Massage Therapy/Bodywork service is added as part of this second visit.

**We highly recommend taking a Birthing From Within ™ childbirth preparation class**

Package pricing: $2,200 for one doula ($900 due at time of hire, balance due within two weeks of the birth).

We support families planning to birth….

   ……at home

   ……in a hospital

   ……in a birth center

We believe everyone deserves a doula!  We are open to payment plans and certain barter situations - help us find a creative solution together!

Contact us today to set up a complimentary interview/consultation.

What some of our clients have to say about their experience working with us:

My mother and sister before me had to have c-sections most likely due to being medicated.  I knew my likelihood of this happening was pretty great if I stuck with the traditional hospital methods.  If I was going to make it through an unmedicated birth, I knew my first step was finding the right doula.  Recommendations led me to some names but some did not work out.  I am so very lucky they did not because I found the most amazing birth doula with Charisse.  A very calming and nurturing presence from our first meeting I felt fortunate to have found her available for our due date with such little notice.  We went to a Birthing From Within class with her doula partner and then were set up for another appointment for a pre birth consult.  Never made that appointment because my water broke at 38 weeks.  I had worked all day and was exhausted and scared but as directed by Charisse, I went to bed to try to get some sleep on a Saturday night.  We got through some contractions that night alone and then called Charisse in the wee hours and she came right over.  Ever calming, she coached us through more home labor, then followed us to the hospital for another 25 hours of labor.  I was so exhausted making my way into full dilation but I will never forget a most special story told to me by Jamie, Charisse's partner, as they both rubbed my back while I was in child's pose.  I couldn't think what further to concentrate on to keep my head but they provided a much needed focal point.  I began to doubt we could make it through unmedicated when after 5 hours of pushing Jake still wasn't out.  I'll never forget seeing Charisse cry when we finally managed to get Jake pushed out in the most beautiful experience of my whole life.  Thank you so very much Charisse for being so beautifully present  for our birth.  Also, for our birth song.  I will forever associate it with my precious boy. - Tammy B.

Charisse was an incredible source of support for me, both throughout my pregnancy and during labor. She really went out of her way to make herself available to me. She was tireless in answering my (endless) questions and in helping to allay my anxieties. This included finding literature and other resources to help me make informed decisions about my labor. She remained accepting and nonjudgmental throughout the process. Charisse helped me to identify how I felt regarding the use of medication; and when I finally chose to utilize an epidural, Charisse remained emotionally present, respecting my decision, never losing sight of the sacredness of the birth. In addition to Charisse's calm and centered manner she integrated the use of massage and Reiki, making my birth a truly spiritual experience. - Jennifer Z.

We are so glad that we chose Charisse as our doula! She brought a lot of good energy and intuitive incite in helping prepare us for birthing and during the birthing process. She inspired me to keep walking and lunging when I was dilating sl-ow-ly. Which was amazing because I didn’t fully realize the toll my contractions were having on me- I eventually became overwhelmed with exhaustion and can’t imagine if she hadn’t helped move the ball forward! She was always very kind, calm and soothing which was monumental when I was begging for an epidural after 45 hours of labor! She listened to me, validated my feelings and reminded me in the kindest possible way (without making me feel pressured in the slightest), that an epidural would probably slow things down, put me at risk for needing Pitocin and make the whole thing a lot longer and more painful. She gave me a pep talk, told me I was doing great and it wouldn’t be much longer. She knew that I needed to lie down to rest, even though it was so difficult for me to lie down that I threw up because of the pain! How right she was!! I rested, got my second wind and it was downhill after that. I am so very glad that Charisse helped calm me down, knew exactly what to say and how to help me so I didn’t cave and get an epidural! I felt very empowered and secure, knowing that she was there, able and willing to help! Oh and her Reiki, Massage and use of essential oils, homeopathic and herbs were incredibly helpful throughout my entire birthing process!  My hubby fully agrees that having Charisse as our doula was essential.  He, like most men, are fully willing to help, however they need specifics on HOW.  Charisse provided this HOW and was an important link in communication which helped my hubby and I to work as a team! - Amara R.