The first step in arranging for my services as a birth doula is to contact me to arrange for a free interview and consultation. If after the consultation you decide to use my services, I will meet with you, (and your partner if possible), to help you develop a birth plan, to address any concerns or questions you may have, and give referrals for various prenatal classes or services you may be interested in.  I will also work with you to help you define what you want my role to be in the birth to be, since for every family it is different. We will also go over the paperwork and sign a contract. I will be available to you as your birth doula for two weeks prior to your due date up until you give birth. Once you are in labor you can call me and we can decide if you need me right away or not. Generally, I will meet you at the hospital or come to your home once you as you enter active labor, around 4cm. I will bring my “birth bag” filled with various birth things such as a birth ball, massage oil, soothing CDs and the like. I will then support you during your labor and delivery by providing emotional, physical and informational support. I will provide comfort measures and assist your partner in your care. I will stay until your baby is born, help you get settled with breastfeeding if you so choose and then step back to let your family become a unit. After the birth I will meet with you one more time to talk about how it went, and present you with your birth story and some photos from the birth. Please see the Birth Doula FAQs for more information and a sample contract.