Our Services

Birth & More is happy to offer new and expectant mothers and families the following services:

  • Pregnancy and Childbirth Education
    1. Lamaze

     
  • Doula Services
    1. Birth Doula ~ Hospital, Birth Center & Home Support
    2. Postpartum Doula
    3. Grocery &  Other Shopping For Expectant & Postpartum Families

 

Kristin is an experienced, independent childbirth educator and doula with over 8 years of experience. She strives to present up-to-date, evidence-based information, so you can truly weigh what is best for you and your baby.

Lamaze

In our independent Lamaze classes, you will receive personalized information about normal birth and its emotional and physical aspects. Classes are small; our maximum is six mothers and their support people. Our classes are half information and half hands-on practice, so all participants will be able to learn by doing.

These classes cover non-medical and medical aspects of birth and parenting, helping you understand your options for the birth experience you want. You will also become familiar with the hospital setting, because one of the classes is an in-hospital labor rehearsal where you will practice labor contractions and finding positions and birth options that work well for you.

For more information and pricing concerning our different Lamaze classes, please click on the one that interests you:

 

Birth Doula

As professional, non-medical birth labor assistants, we comfort the mother and father during birth, act as a liaison between the hospital staff and the birthing mother, and provide one-on-one care that the hospital staff or doctor may not be able to provide. We do this by meeting the mother and birth team before the birth, providing education, and discussing options. We get to know you on a more personal level of learning your birth preferences and practicing comfort techniques that you can use in labor. Because our job is to empower the woman during birth and support her unconditionally, mothers who have hired us are happier with their birth experiences. Women and their partners tell us they were glad to have had an extra pair of hands and a sense of calmness present when the going got tough.

The wisdom and emotional support of experienced women at birth is an ancient tradition.

Birth doulas improve the overall outcomes and experience of mothers giving birth. Studies* show that women supported by a doula in labor have . . .

  • 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
  • 25% shorter labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests
  • 40% reduction in oxytocin use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use
  • 40% reduction in forceps delivery

 

Evidence also suggests that when a doula provides labor support, women are more satisfied with their experience and mother-infant interaction is enhanced. Studies have shown that mothers who use a doula have lower incidence of postpartum depression, breast feed longer, and have an easier time feeling close to their infants. *The Doula Book, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (2002).

 

Mothers remember their birth experiences in detail for the rest of their lives. It is our hope as doulas to make that memory a joyful one.

For more information and pricing regarding birth doulas, please contact us.

Postpartum Doula

As professional postpartum doulas, we care for the baby, mother, and family after the birth. Our main concern is in helping mom establish a good breastfeeding relationship, listening to the birth story, answering questions about newborn care, and providing contact information for local resources. We can help ease the postpartum transition by helping parents understand the rhythm of their new baby and how it might affect the family dynamics. We are also trained to watch for signs of postpartum depression and can make referrals for those in need of professional help.

The following are some advantages gained by using a postpartum doula:

  • Increased chance of successful breastfeeding;
  • Less change of postpartum depression;
  • Less maternal exhaustion;
  • Less frustration;
  • Less apprehension during early weeks;
  • Ability for dad to return to work sooner with less anxiety;
  • Earlier bonding with baby due to increased confidence;
  • Relatives who live far away are given a way to help with the baby by paying for a doula.

Postpartum doulas may visit for several hours every day for a number of weeks, or for only a few hours every other day or so. The schedule is completely flexible and designed around the needs of the family.

For more information and pricing concerning postpartum doula services, please contact us.

If hiring a doula is a budget concern for you, there are ways to work it out. For shower or baby gifts ask friends and family to donate to a doula fund, or have them purchase gift certificates for doula services. We can also arrange a financing plan for you so that you can spread out your payments.