the birth doula Package:
I believe that birth is a revolutionary, sacred act that deserves to be protected, respected and celebrated. I provide ancestrally-rooted, evidenced-based care that incorporates wisdom from across the African diaspora, bringing birthing people opportunities to claim their own healing birth power. With a variety of experience from homebirth to hospital birth, waterbirth to cesareans, I provide informational, emotional, physical and spiritual care that holds the sacred space of your unique birth journey.
Free phone consultation & Interview
Choosing a doula who is right for you is so important! I offer a free phone consultation where we can discuss my services, understand your desires for doula support, and see if I am a good fit for you and your family. I also offer an in-person interview where you can see more in-depth my style of doula work and my offerings, and we can get to know each other before you decide if you want me on your journey. Once you decide to work with me, you have unlimited access to me by phone, email and text. It’s important to know your doula is available to you anytime!
Prenatal Support
Building a strong relationship with your doula is an important part of having a supported birth. I offer at least 4 prenatal visits (typically at your home), where we will get to know each other and prepare for your birth. I can provide education about labor and birth as well as information about your different options. I use tools such as fear-releasing exercises, breathing techniques, practicing movements and positions for labor, and comfort massage and acupressure. We will go over your birth preferences and create a birth plan if you want one, and identify strategies to cope with stress or anxiety. I also provide nutrition counseling and herbal support. If you have a loved one or support person attending the birth, they are welcome and encouraged to participate in these sessions. Although I take birth clients at any point in your pregnancy, the earlier you are in your pregnancy journey, the more successful and meaningful our relationship will be. It’s never too early to start working with a doula!
Labor & birth
As a doula, I provide continuous presence and support throughout labor and birth. Once you are at 37 weeks in your pregnancy, I officially go on-call for you, meaning I do not leave town or turn my phone off and you can reach me 24/7. It’s important that you know I am here to support you and you can reach out at any time. If you would like to labor at home or are having a homebirth, I can come to your home and support you there by helping you find comfort and work through contractions. By normalizing labor, I can help give you a sense of security and comfort, and help you determine when it’s time to go to the hospital if you’re having a hospital birth. Whether your birth is at home, hospital or in a birthing center, I provide support through physical comfort measures like massage, acupressure and positioning, emotional and spiritual support with affirmations and suggestions, and provide support to your loved ones to make sure they can also care for you. I work collaboratively with your care providers to help honor your power and preferences. After your baby is born, I will remain with you for 1-2 hours to assist with feeding, help you get tucked in with baby, and rejoice in your incredible power!
Postpartum
The immediate postpartum period is a sacred, emotional, and transformative time. As your body and spirit begins to recover from the openness and vulnerability of birth, it is essential to have nourishment, ongoing support and care. I provide weekly postpartum visits up to 6 weeks as part of my birth package where I can assist with feeding, take care of light housework, help with baby baths, provide emotional support, nourishing meals, and much more. I am there to lessen the load so that you can get sleep and enjoy your baby! I am available for further postpartum support as desired. Please see the rituals page for more information about spiritual birth and postpartum rituals I offer.
Fees:
Please call to inquire about pricing for the birth doula package. It is my priority to make doula services accessible; please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested. Need-based discounts are available.
Extra services including additional postpartum visits, sacred belly binding, and placenta encapsulation are also available. See postpartum services.
Virtual Services:
Not living in the Chicagoland area? We still got you! Virtual doula services can support you, wherever and however you birth. Whether you want a trusted guide throughout your whole pregnancy and birth, or just a one-time check in to help write your birth plan or plan for postpartum, you deserve support, and it CAN be accessible to you.