OFFERINGS

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother/birthing person before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her/them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Doulas also provide skilled in home postpartum care and support. The word doula is a noun meaning, "woman trained to assist another woman during childbirth and provide support to the family after the baby is born;" it comes from ancient Greek doule "servant-woman," the feminine variant of doulos "slave, servant," which is a word of Pre-Greek origin. Many birth attendants are rejecting the word "doula" because of its historical meaning as slave, preferring the word "birthkeeper," or "birthworker." Others, like myself, choose to reclaim the word, and focus on the "serve" part of the meaning. It is an honor and privilege to be of service to mothers, birthing people, their babies, and their families.

As your doula I am committed to supporting you and your family throughout the process of late pregnancy, childbirth, initial postpartum, and further if you choose to hire me for further postpartum support. Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both mother/birthing person and baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family. Read more about doulas and why we rock!

I grow and wild harvest the majority of the herbs I work with, which means I am at the whim and mercy of seasons, and the health of certain plant populations. I take years off from growing to give the soil a break, as well as don't harvest from certain wild plant populations to prevent over harvesting. Thus, I fill in and purchase bulk herbs from a handful of small scale herbalist and farmers based in the United States, several right here in Western Washington. Growing things takes time, and there is a season to everything. If something is not in stock that was promised to you as part of a postpartum package I will refund you the difference or you have the option to wait until it is in stock again.

50% of the base fee is paid as a retainer, due at the time you choose me as your doula. This is a non-refundable retainer fee. You may think of this as the fee for prenatal and postpartum visits and the cost of being on-call for your birth. The balance of this minimum, required, fee is due 2 weeks after delivery, unless other arrangements have been made in advance. At the time you receive the postpartum invoice for the remainder of the minimum, required, fee, you will have the option of paying more, in any amount up to the maximum, optional, fee.

I want doula care to be as accessible as possible. Sliding scale is one way to do this, while ensuring I am still getting paid for the minimum base rate I have set. Some people will need to save carefully to afford the base fee, while others have it easily within their means to slide all the way to the top of the range. I never ask you about your financial status. You decide the final payment amount. Please base your payment on your ability to pay and the quality of support you received. To learn more about sliding scale, please read and consult "The Green Bottle," and consider where you fall on this scale.

I will do my absolute best to be there at your birth. First time birthing moms/people often take a little longer (nulliparous), while moms/parents who've birthed before (multiparous), often have shorter labors. We will weigh all these factors, as well as you and your doctor/midwife's sense of things when we meet during our prenatal visits. In some cases, it may be necessary to collaborate with another doula in the area, who can be on-call for back up support.

I am vaccinated. I continue to stay abreast of WA state guidelines.

On occasion, for those birthing out of hospital, it becomes necessary to transfer from home or birth center to the hospital. St. Joseph's hospital in Bellingham, WA or Skagit Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA. Currently, only two guests are allowed with the birthing person- thus, you may choose to have your partner and your midwife stay; in this event I would remain on call in case you need me to bring things to you to the hospital. I will check in with you in the next couple of days once you are back at home. If you are unpartnerned, I would be able to attend your birth along with your midwife. Again, this is based on Covid19 protocols which are subject to change.

*as of May 15, 2022.