Doula/Professional Labor Support
~Don't forget to ask about the Referral Rewards Program-
you have the chance to get $25 for each paying doula client you send my way!
Doula Support Includes...
1 Childbirth Class Series during my 4 session Saturday morning classes held in Tacoma, WA. Enjoy 12 hours of hands on learning in a fast paced environment- we cover everything you need to know to give birth with confidence. If you prefer a private class in your own home, you'll be given a $200 credit towards that class series. (Already taking a class with another provider- $100 off doula fee)
1 Prenatal Visit in your home to go over your birth plan or help you prepare a birth plan, discuss health history and your pregnancy, talk about specific roles your family and friends will play as well as how I can contribute to the birth team, discuss our game plan for labor-day, and a home labor rehearsal to cover labor positions and ways the coach and I can best support mom.
1-2 hours of Reiki Energy Work
(Recommended only for those familiar with Reiki energy work, who have a strong desire to receive Reiki energy, and who understand Reiki does NOT follow a certain religious belief system. Both emotional and physical aspects will come into play as we end this Reiki treatment with fully-clothed, cozy and comfy, hands on energy work.)
or
1 hour of Centering Pregnancy
(Recommended for those with fears or concerns that keep surfacing- this is a private visit between mom and doula to address any issues that may cause future labor to be slow or inefficient. It's a perfect chance to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa and kleenex!)
Active Labor and Birth
(I typically arrive to your home or place of birth when contractions are closing in on 5 minutes apart and mom is actively working through labor.)
1-2 hours Immediate Post-Partum Care to ensure both mom and baby are recovering well. Help with breastfeeding is also available as needed.
1 Post-Partum Visit in your home to discuss your time-line style birth story (a running commentary/history of your labor and birth- a great way to fill in the blanks and share a laugh at some of mom and dad's antics during labor!), breastfeeding and mom's health (including boobie care, pumping and storing, stock piling milk, bottle feeding, colic care,and transitioning back to work), your baby (sleep routines, growth spurts, gas, feeding troubles, vaccinations, etc), and beyond!
A Special Hand Made Gift for Your Baby to cuddle with, to drag around the house, and to love. "Mama Blankie" is put together with the softest fleece your baby/ toddler/ preschooler can wrap up with. I make each blanket with so much love, even moms find it hard to not sneak a snuggle!
Additional In-Home Visits as needed at a negotiated rate- I have much experience with optimal fetal positioning and breech babies, stressful pregnancies from domestic abuse or abandonment, high risk pregnancies, scheduled induction and scheduled c section. A doula can help get you through these difficult times with strength and encouragement. When you've got a big sister on your side, anything is possible.
$900-1000
(Please email/call for non-Pierce county rates. Childbirth class series through another provider- $900. Payment plans provided as needed. Discounts offered too!)
What doula clients are saying...
"Emmy was not only our birth doula but also our childbirth educator. As first time parents, my husband and I felt very comfortable with her as well as empowered by her loving care. She was kind and supportive when discussing our thoughts, fears, questions and more questions! Emmy was also very supportive of me being able to have as natural a birth as possible. Being diabetic I sometimes received information from doctors that scared me and talking to Emmy always calmed me down and made me comfortable with my birth plan.
During my labor she was thoughtful, kind and very supportive of me and of my husband. She was also a great voice of reason and calm throughout my very long 23 hour labor. My husband and I could not imagine the birth of our son without Emmy, and we will be seeking her guidance and support for our next child as well! We always gush whenever we talk about Emmy, we couldn't have asked for a better doula." ~S.W.
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"My wife and I took Emmy's {natural childbirth} classes this last year and learned so much! We love Emmy and felt very comfortable with her from the first class. She is so much fun, very flexible, will answer any of your questions among many other things! We had a smaller class and really enjoyed it. As the husband going into our first birth, I was a little nervous before getting to know Emmy and I just didn't know how I would fit into the birthing process. As we went through the classes I asked lots of questions and Emmy made me feel so confident with her answers and the knowledge she gave me. Our birth was very successful and I felt so calm and relaxed during our birthing process having Emmy with us at our birthing facility. I would also recommend using Emmy to be with you at your birth even if money is tight for you, believe me especially all you men out there, having Emmy there is great! She knows how to lighten the mood when you get too tense and she can coach you through any difficulty in the process with grace. She has such a great personality that really draws out the best in people and when you meet her you just can tell she in a top-notch doula. She has had her own kids so she knows the process personally, and she has guided so many people that she has a wealth of experience to draw upon. I recommend Emmy to anyone and everyone pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant in the future, if you want a smooth and very enriching, not to mention confidence-boosting experience throughout your birthing process, use Emmy!!!"~M.R.
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"On my 2nd home birth and my 4th little girl I finally got the gift of Emmy. I was so grateful for her magic squeezes on my hips, the cold forehead compresses and her gentle coaching. I must have said "thank you" and "I feel like I'm at a spa" dozens of times. Having her there made all the difference and I would recommend her to anyone who is expecting and wants the best birth possible."~D.N.
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"It is hard to describe an experience with Emmy; You really just have to trust me and have her as your friend, advocate, childbirth instructor and AMAZING doula. My journey to motherhood would not have been complete or as enlightened without the support of Emmy. She is the BEST advocate for whatever you decide your birth journey to be. My husband really felt supported and gained confidence as a birth partner learning from Emmy. Our labor was very very long and we all got very little sleep. Let's just say Emmy got to know us all very well and helped not only me but my hilarious mother and husband. Energetically I felt very connected to Emmy from the beginning and especially enjoyed the reiki services and meetings prior to the labor because it helped me prepare mentally for whatever challenges I would face during labor. My labor definitely did go how I wanted, but with Emmy being there, I felt the support. If you're not sure whether you would like a doula or feel as if your family is enough support, I cannot stress enough how just meeting with a doula to discuss the benefits of having somebody that is solely there to provide you and your family the support and care you need. It's without a doubt a wonderful experience to have someone like Emmy who has been at so many births and loves the birthing process and journey to motherhood. She is a passionate wise woman and I would definitely love to have her at my next birth."~T.Z.
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"Emmy was a really integral part of my birth process. I was a first-time mom, a single mom, over a thousand miles away from my family. While my mom planned to come for the birth, her schedule was tight, so there was a possibility she wouldn't have been able to be there. But with Emmy, I knew it was going to be okay. She noticed things about my labor that I didn't catch at all (and I'm a pretty self-aware person). She was able to help me be more effective, more calm, more aware, and more joyful through the whole birth. And the photos/video of the birth that she did were so amazing. If she hadn't done them, I wouldn't have them, and there is so much amazing beauty there.
I should also mention that Emmy is just a generous and wonderful person. She was really understanding of my situation, didn't judge what was going on, and was just incredibly supportive. She made me KNOW I was able to do it. When the medical establishment augmented my contractions with Pitocin, she was able to help me through my grief of not having the birth that I really wanted to have (i.e., being able to move, etc.) My situation wasn't ideal, but she was my hero, through it all." ~L.L.
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"We met Emmy through our birthing class and immediately felt a connection with her. We never really thought a doula was something we needed, but as the class progressed it sounded more and more like a good idea. We were able to hire Emmy and we were so glad we did! Having that extra support person there was just what we both needed. She was not only there to help me progress through the birth, but she was also there to help my husband get through it all. Having Emmy there meant I didn't have to worry about what was going on. She was my advocate and support (both emotional and physical). If ever I let the labor take over my body/mind, she was there to help bring me back so I could be in control and focus on the task at hand. Her support before, during, and after the birth of our beautiful daughter was so special to us. If you're not sure if a doula is the right choice for you, I encourage you to just go for it. You won't ever regret hiring a doula, but you may regret not."~J.L.
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"Emmy was my birthing teacher. After taking her class, I knew she was THE ONE to help me with the birth of my son. Emmy was an advocate and constantly looked out for my best interests. She stayed at my side and provided me with anything I asked for. After he was born, she gave me all sorts of cool stuff information about my son...a newsclip from the newspaper on the day of his birth and a timeline of all the events that took place on that glorious day...all things that were a blur to me at the time. She is a positive and upbeat person and she really does feel like a big sister! I am not pregnant again yet but I know that I will use her again."~M.R.
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"Emmy was the absolute perfect doula for me, and I had the most wonderful birth experience with her. As my husband was deployed to Afghanistan it was very important for me to find a good doula, and I just can't say enough good things about Emmy. She is a warm, friendly person who truly listens to you and your needs, will advocate for you, and is experienced to know a variety of different ways to deal with the various discomforts of labor. I'd recommend her to anyone in a heartbeat!"~A.Q.
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"A lot of our friends have used Emmy. We liked her because she made us feel comfortable and at ease right from the start. This being our first child, we had a lot of questions and some anxiety but Emmy's experience and advice helped so much. Even through the delivery process it was so great having her there as an experienced professional we knew was on our side and supporting what was best for our family."~J.C.
