Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time-- but those times have now changed and many women give birth without having witnessed the childbirthing experiences of their own mothers, aunts, sisters and community members. We are now seeing that women truly need extra support through this transformative time. A doula is there to help.

A doula is an advocate for the birthing mom and her partner. Whether you want a birth in hospital with or without drugs or or interventions--whether you want to birth at home with a midwife or other trained attendant--your doula is there to help you feel involved, safe, and empowered.

The doula is not there to replace the birthing mom’s husband or the loved one she has chosen to be with her. The doula is there to provide objective nurturing support & education, to make suggestions about comfort measures & positions, keep mom hydrated & focused, provide breaks for the other members of the birth team, and to be the gatekeeper between mom and the outside world. The doula is there to help make birthing easier.

When parents choose to birth in a hospital, a doula can provide comfort and support in the home long before it is time to head to the hospital. Often, parents wonder if "this is really labor?" or "is it time to go to the hospital?" A doula is trained to recognize the signs and stages of labor through close observation of the mother. Parents tend to be more relaxed in their own home and labor may progress more gently & quickly. Plus, If mom is already in active labor (4-5 cms) when she arrives at the hospital, there is less chance for the use of labor inducing or labor augmenting drugs or procedures (like Pitocin, Cervidil, and Artificial Rupture of Membranes). During your time at the hospital, a doula can help you to understand any procedures or complications that you may run into and help you communicate with your care provider.

Consultation: Determine if a doula is right for you. This can be via phone, email or in person. there is no charge or obligation for your initial consultation. Call 814-558-6068 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to make arrangements.

Home Visits: Build rapport, discuss your health & pregnancy history, create ideal birth plan, determine needs and address concerns. Relaxation, breathing and comfort techniques. Belly casting and/or belly henna painting. Pregnancy photography is also available.

Care Provider Visit Meet with your care provider, share birth plan, follow up on expectations and concerns of labor and birth, review health history with care provider. Become familiar with care provider and his/her policies.

Labor Support: Early labor and family support at your home, accompany to hospital if not birthing at home, birth plan support, continuous encouragement & guidance during labor and through entire birthing process. Early breastfeeding and bonding support. Photography and video taping are available.

Postpartum Visits: Review of the birth at your home. Can include a wide variety of services, including breastfeeding support, house cleaning, laundry, shopping, errands, older child care, scrapbooking, mailing birth announcements, yoga, etc...New parents need to enjoy their new baby and rest!