What is my role as a doula?
I am a professional labor support companion. My goal is to help you achieve the birth experience you desire by providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during and after birth. As your doula, I am working for you, not for your caregiver or the hospital/birthing center.
My availability
From the moment we agree that we will work together, I consider myself available, via text or email, to provide support for you and your partner.
At 38 to 42 weeks of your pregnancy I am considered “on call” and will not schedule any out-of-town activities.
My visits
One or two prenatal visits and one or two post partum visits, according to need and preference. During this COVID time I will give you the option to conduct our visits virtually or in your home. According to your comfort level, I am happy to wear a mask if you request and I will take off my shoes and wash my hands thoroughly upon entering your home.
Prenatal
We will meet at 35-36 weeks of your pregnancy, in your home, to talk in detail about your birth preferences, review the stages of labor, and finalize your birth plan.
At 36 to 37 weeks we will practice comfort measures, discuss the roles of anyone else you wish to attend your birth, talk about baby care and mom’s post partum care and any concerns you have.
Postpartum
I will visit you at home between 7-14 days postpartum to provide breastfeeding support, baby care tips, referrals to community resources and a chance to discuss the birth experience. However, I am available 24 hours a day the first 6 weeks postpartum for your questions or concerns.
What I cannot do
I cannot perform clinical tasks or make decisions for you.
I will help you get the information you need to make your own informed decisions. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan.
I will not speak to medical staff regarding matters where healthcare decisions are being made, but I can support you in discussions with staff as your advocate, making sure you have the opportunity to fully understand what’s going on with your care.
When you are in your birthing time
I prefer that you call or text me when you think you are in labor. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. Together we will decide when I should join you and when we should go to your birth location.
I will offer help and advice with relaxation, movement, and positioning. My most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.
During this COVID time we will have established if your location of birth allows doulas to be physically present. If not, I will support you via text, phone calls, Facetime or Zoom during your birth. We will discuss all the options during our prenatals so that you feel comfortable and confident with virtual support.
I will also be writing down information about your baby’s birth and take pictures of the progression of labor as you request and if the situation allows.
Please clarify with me your photo desires during our prenatal visits.
After birth
I will remain with you for 1 to 2 hours after birth, until you are comfortable, breastfeeding has been established and the family is ready for quiet time together. I will help with baby’s first latch if desired. For homebirth, I am happy to prepare a breakfast meal or other “first” meal with ingredients you supply and can bring my own supplies and ingredients to bake “groaning cake,” a traditional and nutritionally healing postpartum bread. I will help the midwife clean up.
I am available to answer questions and provide additional resources the first six weeks postpartum.
Failure to provide services
I will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible for a variety of reasons. If failure to attend the birth is due to my error, there will be no charge for my services, and I will refund your deposit. If it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control (e.g. an extremely rapid labor and birth) or your failure to call me, I will keep the deposit only. If my backup attends your birth, I will still expect full payment so that I can pay my backup.
Fee
My fee is $900. I ask for a deposit of $300 at the time of hire and the balance of $600 paid at or before 38 weeks. I am happy to discuss a payment plan or the possibility of bartering goods or services.
I am honored to offer a $100 discount for military families. Please ask about using your health savings account funds to pay for services. During this COVID time I will discuss a possible payment reduction if virtual doula services are not utilized during your birth.
I accept credit card payments and/or PayPal at newlifedoulag@gmail.com. If paying by personal check, make checks out to Gwen Alderks and mail to Gwen at 6303 5th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53143. Please sign below and return this page with your deposit. THANK YOU!