I provide a no-obligation meeting in order for you and me to get to know each other and see if my experience is a match with your needs. Giving birth is an intimate event and I encourage you to interview more than one doula and take plenty of time to consider who you feel most comfortable with.

When you hire me for my services, we will meet twice before your birth to review your birth plans. I am available by phone from the time you contract my doula services, and you may call me for any reason! I will arrive at whatever point in labor you wish and will stay with you throughout your labor until you and your new family are comfortable and wish for private time. After your birth, I will call you within a day or two to set up a postpartum meeting. At this meeting, we can discuss the birth and how you are doing with your new baby.

My services include backup doula coverage by three other local doulas. We host a “Meet the Doulas” event once a month so that you have the opportunity to talk with all of us. If you are a current client, you will be invited to this event and if you are considering having a doula at your birth, contact me to let me know you would like to attend. Our April meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 in Raleigh from 7-9 pm.

Backup doulas:

Joanne Dahill, Erin Luben, and Julie McBurney.

I charge $550 for my birth doula services.  Please contact me to discuss my fee in detail. If you have financial concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss them.

Currently accepting clients with due dates in August - November 2010.

References available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

NEW! Does insurance cover the services of a doula?
Doulas are now able to register for a national provider identification number (NPI) and doula services have recently been assigned an insurance code. I have my own NPI and can help you file a claim for reimbursement. I can't guarentee that my services will be covered but being able to file for reimbursement with an insurance code and NPI makes it much more likely that reimbursement will now be considered by your insurance company.

Why not use a family member or friend as a doula?
A friend of family member can certainly act as your doula since they know you well.  However, some people are not completely comfortable with those people being present. Or some people want a more objective person present since births are so emotional for you, your partner, and your family and friends.  Also, birth doulas have extensive training in the birth process and are familiar with local birth facilities.

Why do I need a doula if I have my partner or husband with me at the birth?
A doula does not take the place of your partner or husband. In fact, a doula enhances that role by making sure that the partner is taken care of and encouraged, too. A doula can help make the birth experience positive for mothers and partners and make them both feel good about themselves.

What if I plan on getting an epidural?
Doulas are not only for people planning an unmedicated birth. They are for everyone. I have served clients who planned on getting epidurals, who weren't sure, and who were planning not to. My goal is to help you achieve your goals for your birth experience, which may or may not include pain medication. Sometimes people want to delay an epidural until later in labor so they know they will need physical support before they accept pain medication. Sometimes epidurals don't work completely and a women wants to make sure she has support with any discomfort she might be having even with pain medication.