Questions for Bev
I attended the DONA certification course and received my certification in 2003. I have attended many different continuing education opportunities over the years. Some of my trainings covered topics such as "The Lure of Induction", "Challenges Doulas Face", "The Art of Labor Support", "Optimal Fetal Positioning", "Postpartum Home Care", "Using Your Birth Ball", "Teaching Breastfeeding", "Birth Trauma", "Birth Planning Seminar", "Quick Guide to Lactation Teaching", and "Acupressure in Childbirth". I attend trainings as they are available and as I can afford.
I have recently received my accreditation in Triple P 2/3 (power of positive parenting). This allows me to work with families on parenting issues that may arise.
My training as a life doula has come threw the years. Some of the things I have done as a postpartum doula have prepared me. This along with walking with my father as he supported my mom and step mom as they dealt with disease and died. I have also supported my husband for the past 11 years as we dealt with strokes, seizurees, and dementia. I have also worked with Catholic Community Services and other home care provider as a home health aid.
I believe that as a parent you know what you are comfortable with. It is your birth and family not mine, and I believe strongly in supporting you in your choices. I have supported families from various backgrounds, cultures, economic status, and structures. I have attended births in hospitals, birthing centers, as well as home births. I love supporting families in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. I have worked with the blind father, the widowed mother, and the army wife whose husband is deployed.
My philosophy is to listen to that voice inside of your heart. And then to follow it. It is my job to provide resources, encouragement and Non-judgmental support for YOU. I will serve YOU, support YOU, and encourage YOU in YOUR choices.
I provide a free face to face meeting / interview. After that I provide at least 1 prenatal visit to go over your birth plan, and help you prepare for your birth. The number of prenatal visits depends on how far along you are, or if you have had any other education. I work with my clients on seeing what they feel that they need. I have also been known to do weekly or bi weekly meetings with mom's that need it.
I have had parents call me up to 2 years after the birth. I am still in contact with the first client I ever supported in birth.
Please understand that I put 2 weeks before your birth and 2 weeks after your birth on hold for you. This means that during this time I am ready to drop everything and come to your birth. This means I sleep with my cell phone next to my bed, and am available 24 hours a day. Unless there are complication with your pregnancy then I will adjust as needed.
If it is not within the 2 weeks before your due date up to delivery and I do not answer the phone then please leave a message when you call. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that unless there is a complication during your pregnancy I will keep the 2 weeks before and after your birth as a priority in my schedule. I do work with other families and might be with another client when you call. I do get back in touch with my clients as soon as I can.
I put 2 weeks before your due date up to your delivery on my calendar for my on call period for you. If you go into labor before that I do try and make it (and I have made them all so far.) I ask that you call me when you think your labor has started so that I can put my support team on stand by mode, grab a nap, and make sure my family is ready for me to leave for your birth. Normally you would call me to keep me up to date on your progression.
I normally head out when the contractions get about 10 min apart lasting at least 1min in length. Or when you feel you need me there. This is one of the things we discuses at your prenatal visits.
I have done both for clients. We will make a plan during our prenatal meetings. I have joined up with families in their home, and with families in the hospital/birthing center. I have been called while a mom was in labor asking me if I would take her as client. And yes I did.
Yes I do 1 postpartum visit. I go over the birth, help you give the baby a bath, or answer other baby care questions you may have. I will give you the CD of pictures I have taken at your birth (number of pictures varies). I will go over questions you may have and try to help you come up with resources and ideas.
Yes I do have a couple of different backup doulas that I can use. If you have interviewed a doula that you liked, and would like for her to be a backup, then please let me know and I will talk with her about it. Most doulas are willing to work with other douals. I have only had to use 1 back up doula in 16 years. I had two clients go into labor on the same day. I attended one birth and my backup attended the other.
I have only missed 1 birth because the mom progressed way to fast. And as to date, I have NOT delivered any babies because they came to fast (and I hope to keep that record)
If I end up using a backup I take care of the cost out of what you have paid me.
As a doula we do so much. I feel that it is very important for every women to have the support she deserves in her birth and postpartum. It is for this reason that I offer a sliding scale, take trade, and have a payment plan. My fee is set with what the going rate in the community is. I DO NOT want you to go without the support you deserve, so lets talk about it.
I offer a military discount. I am also a volunteer with Operation Special Delivery, which provides free doulas to soldiers families who are deployed. So the soldier can know that his family is being taken care of back here.
Please DO NOT let cost be a deciding factor on choosing me as your doula. I will work with you on figuring out a way to make it happen!
I do not like to take clients that are do on or around October 15. This was my mothers birthday, and is my youngest daughters birthday. She asked me to stop taking clients around that due date after 3 years in a row I had clients deliver on it. She does not mind sharing the birthday, she just wants me home so she can celebrate it. I make sure that my backups know that I do not attend births on that date, so they are ready just in case.
And the one birth I needed a backup for was on October 15. I had two clients go into labor the same day, I took one, and my backup the other.
I feel that I am a good choice as a doula because of my servants heart, my unconditional and non judgmental support, and my desire to encourage you in your birth choices. My education and experience covers everything from pregnancy normal and high risk care and birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, twins, and on to parenting. I have a fully inclusive practice of all stages of pregnancy, birth and parenting.
As for being a life doula, I feel that I am a great choice because of my comforting spirit. I know what it is like to loose a loved one.
