What is a Doula?

A doula is a woman trained in experiencing childbirth, who accompanies a woman in labor.

A Doula uses comfort measures such as, breathing, movement, relaxation techniques,
massage, and positioning to ease pain and aid in the progression of labor.

As your Doula, I will assist you before, during, and after birth by providing information as well as physical and emotional support.  I will be by your side through your entire labor. I will help your birth partner and/or team to feel more comfortable supporting you during labor. And I will help facilitate communication between you and your medical team

Prior to labor, I will work with you to develop a birth plan and teach you to be an advocate for your medical care.

During the postpartum period, I will be there to discuss the birth experience and provide guidance and support with feeding.

What can having a Doula do for you?

Studies have shown that labor with a Doula results in:

60% Reduction in the use of epidurals

50% Reduction in the rate of c-sections

40% Reduction in the use of pitocin

40% Reduction in forceps delivery

30% Reduction in the use of pain medication

AND 25% shorter labors.

Having a Doula can help you to have a more positive birth experience, reduce your anxiety, and reduce your risk of postpartum depression.

Having a Doula can also help your partner to feel more confident and involved with your labor. 

A Doula is not a medical providor

As a Doula I will not:

• Perform clinical tasks such as taking blood pressure or checking cervical dilation.

• Speak to medical staff on your behalf, however I can remind you of your birth preferences and help you and your partner phrase your concerns or desires to the staff.

• Make medical decisions for you.

• Pressure you to have a birth you don't want, not during prenatal visits nor during birth. I will not judge you for any birthing decisions you make. This is your birth, not mine.

• Take over your partner's role. I w[ll take the pressure off of him so he is free to support you in a way that works best for you. I will also support him physically by making sure he takes bathroom breaks and stays hydrated and nourished.

• Take over your role as decision maker. It's my job to support you, no matter how you give birth.

Services and Fees

Services I provide

My services include a free initial meeting where I will answer any questions you have and we can decide if we are a good fit.


One Prenatal visit -
During this visit, it is especially helpful if I get to meet with both you and your partner.

We will discuss your labor and birth preferences and work together to create a birth plan. We will talk about comfort techniques, any concerns you have or problems you may be experiencing, and get to know each other better.


Unlimited email support-
 I will help you find the answers to any questions that come up before and after delivery. As well as being available to discuss any concerns or fears you may have.


24/7 on-call status from 38 weeks until delivery-
This means I will stay close by and be ready to attend your labor anytime, night or day.


Access to my lending library -
Find a lists of the books I currently have available here.


Support through labor and delivery -
During labor I will support you and your partner physically and emotionally. I will stay with you through delivery until you are comfortably settled and feeding has been successfully established.


One postnatal visit within 3 weeks of delivery -
I will meet with you in your home as soon as you are ready, to discuss your delivery experience and how you are doing physically and emotionally. 

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Fees

My fees differ based on location of service. I live in Toledo, Oregon and attend births at Newport, Lincoln City, and Corvallis hospitals as well as home births anywhere in between. My out of area prices are higher to cover my cost of traveling.

Local services-
Toledo, Siletz, Newport

$200 pays for:
 1 prenatal visit, phone and email support, on-call status from 38 weeks on, my full support during labor and delivery, 1 postpartum visit, and access to my lending library. 

Out of area -
Eddyville, Corvallis, Lincoln City

$350 pays for:
1 prenatal visit, phone and email support, on-call status from 38 weeks on, my full support during labor and delivery, 1 postpartum visit, and access to my lending library.


This price is higher to cover my gas costs and other travel experiences 

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A deposit of half the total cost  is due at the first prenatal appointment where we will also go over and sign a service contract. The second half of my fee is due by the postpartum visit.

*I believe every woman deserves to have the physical and emotional support she needs to thrive during pregnancy and birth. If you are interested in my services but cannot pay the above prices, please don't hesitate to contact me and we can work something out. I am open to reduced rates, payment plans, and bartering.