Birth Doula Services

BIRTH DOULA SERVICES

I provide doula support for families in the Burlington, Hamilton & Grimsby areas of Southern Ontario.

I tailor my doula services to your unique needs however I prefer to meet with you and your partner three times before your due date so we can get to know one another and so I can learn what type of support you want and need from me. Between these meetings I am available via phone or e-mail to answer your questions or concerns.

I am on-call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for the two weeks before and after your due date. I work with several other local doulas in a back-up arrangement. This is so that if there are any unforeseen circumstances that prevent me attending your birth, you will still have a doula. I encourage each client to meet with their back up doula so that you can become familiar with each other and the back-up doula can be familiar with your wishes for your labour.

As your doula I will provide continuous support throughout labour and birth at either your home or the hospital and will stay with you after the birth as needed for up to two hours.

For the first few weeks post partum I am available for breast feeding support and provide a minimum of one prenatal visit to discuss your birth and to answer any questions you might have about your everyday miracle's birth. I like to make 2-3 postpartum visits. Usually within the first 24-48 hours, 1 week postpartum and 6-8 weeks postpartum. If extended postpartum services are needed, please discuss this with me and we can make arrangements for my continuing support as your postpartum doula (see Postpartum Services Page for details).

A selection of books are available from my lending library to my clients.

As a Birth Doula, I provide the following:

I prefer to meet two or three times before your labour so that we are comfortable and so that I am familiar with your wishes (although I have met clients mid-contraction before!).

I can help you process your ideals and philosophies about birth and help you draw up a birth plan that suits your needs and desires best.

I am available to accompany you to an appointment with your healthcare provider if desired.

I will provide emotional and physical support during labour.

I will provide comfort measures and coping strategies for dealing with your labour. This includes massage, breathing, visualizations, relaxation, the birth ball, shower/water therapy, hot/cold therapies, change of position, acupressure, walking, and discussions of whether or not you want pain medications and at what point. (We will discuss your preferences before the birth.)

I will support your choice of a homebirth or a hospital birth. (For a hospital birth, I can come to your home and encourage and support you in labouring at home until you are ready to go to the hospital.)

I will stay with you throughout your labour and delivery and for the first one to two hours postpartum. I am able to help you establish breastfeeding.

As a Birth Doula, I do not:

I am NOT there to replace your husband or partner if he/she will also be assisting you at your delivery. I

am there to work with you and for you and to be an integral part of your birth team.

I will be working for you, not the hospital or your care provider.

I do NOT make decisions for you.

I do NOT speak to medical staff regarding matters where health care decisions are being made. I can

discuss your concerns with you and suggest options. I can support you in discussions with staff as your

advocate, making sure you have the opportunity to discuss the benefits and risks of any suggested

interventions, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the medical staff.

I do NOT perform any medical tasks such as monitoring the baby or checking your progress.

Births I have attended (maternal conditions/complications):

Premature Delivery (34 weeks)

Postmaturity - 15 days postdate

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Low Blood Pressure (after delivery)

Inductions: AROM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes), Prostaglandin Gel, Pitocin

Unmedicated/natural childbirth

Pain medications used: Epidurals, Nitrous Oxide, & Demerol

Prophylactic Antibiotics (for mother's Group B +ve)

Caesarean Section (Scheduled and Unplanned)

Precipitous Delivery (Labour less than 3 hours in length)

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)

Assisted Delivery - Vacuum Extractor, Forceps

Maternal Haemorrhage

Homebirth

Home Waterbirth

I have supported women labouring at the following Hospitals

St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Mcmaster University Medical Centre

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (Grimsby)

Welland County General Hospital

Robyn Lampman Copyright © 2006 Everyday Miracles Doula Services. All rights reserved. Revised: 09/09/06.

Robyn Lampman
Copyright © 2006 Everyday Miracles Doula Services. All rights reserved.
Revised: 09/09/06.