Labor doulas (aka birth doulas) provide non-medical emotional, physical, and informational support and advocacy to pregnant individuals. The support begins prenatally and extends through the immediate postpartum period with continuous labor support. The evidence on doula support is striking with significant reductions in Cesarean rates, less requests for pain medications, shortened durations of labor, and higher Apgar scores among infants.
Finding a labor doula in your area who can help support your birth desires and needs can help empower your birth experience. A labor doula consultation is a great opportunity to ask potential doula matches any questions you have and see if they are a good fit for your needs. Here is how I approach a labor doula consultations!
Learning About Your Needs
During our free labor doula consultation, I have a few goals I always want to accomplish. First, I want to learn about your needs and birth desires. After all, it's not just your chance to see if we are a good fit, it's my opportunity to learn if I am the best person to support your unique birth experience.
I have a game plan going into every consultation, but I always open the floor to you as the expert on your birth and pregnancy. I want to learn what your current concerns are, how your pregnancy has been going so far, and what you are looking for with labor doula support. I also love to talk briefly through any past birth experiences which may influence how you want to approach your current birth. This is a overview process where you get to choose what you share and how in-depth you go.
Creating Space For Emotional Processing
Another one of my goals is to create a safe space for emotional processing. Addressing anxieties and fears about pregnancy, labor and delivery is part of doula support. This begins and it begins during our initial free consultation. Being open to any feelings, emotions, and thoughts regarding labor and delivery allows room to process before entering the birth space.
Education & Overview of Labor Doula Services
Next, I like to outline what you get with my labor doula services in-depth including what we cover during our prenatal visits and postpartum meetings. We also overview some of the birth education, pain management methods, coping and comfort measures we will learn more about during prenatal visits. I always encourage partners to attend a consultation if possible so we can talk through how my role also supports them in the birth space.
Wrapping Things Up
It is my desire that you leave a labor doula consultation feeling heard, safe, and confident in your birth desires. I also hope you have an idea if I will fit into that picture for your ideal birth experience. I answer any final questions and address remaining concerns. Then, I leave space for you and I to discuss any adjustments needed to your investment package such as pricing or contract details.
I encourage you to take a day of thought but am happy to book then if you are ready to make an investment in your labor doula services. Upon departure, I always encourage you to contact me with any updates or further questions while you make your final commitment.
Concluding Thoughts
Labor doulas can offer valuable support, insights, and safety during your labor and delivery experience. Finding a labor doula whose mission, philosophy, and approach aligns with your birth desires is important. A labor doula consultation is a chance for us both to see if we are a good fit for each other. It is a safe and open place to gauge connection, share emotional concerns, and get your questions answered.
Honestly, the initial consultation process is one of my favorite parts of connecting with clients because it is our first interaction and chance to learn all about what you, the expert on your birth, want are looking for with doula support.
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