Julia Talarico

Birth Doula Services 

Dear Doula Birth Package:

Dear Doula provides continuous, individualized​ physical, emotional and informational support to a pregnant individual and their partner during pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum. 

Dear Doula Birth Services include:

• free (30) phone consultation to discuss your needs/wants

• two prenatal visits in your home and/or common location 

• on call/text 24/7 communication (beginning at 38 weeks) 

• present for the entirety of your birth 

• breast/chest feeding support, if requested

• one postpartum visit within 1-2 weeks following birth

• continuous phone and email support throughout pregnancy and early labor

• access to childbirth education and maternal mental health resources 

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Prenatal Visits: 

During the duration of our prenatal visits, we will be establishing a trusting, caring and nurturing connection to ensure that you and your partner feel empower, supported, and validated throughout your birth! 

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During this period Dear Doula will:

• listen/learn more how to best support you through the birthing experience 
• discuss birth hopes, dreams, wishes, likes/dislikes 
• provide childbirth education (maternal body changes, the 3 trimesters, newborn choices, stages of birth)
• tension-fear-pain cycle 
• education on common medical interventions that could be suggested
• Go over the BRAIN acronym
• teach comfort measures for birth: 
  • birthing balls (peanut & yoga ball)
  • educate the different birthing positions to provide comfort and decrease pain ​​
  • optimal positions for baby to descend 
  • hot/cold & water techniques  
  • deep slow breathing & slow breathing while pushing 
  • touch (counter pressure, double hip squeeze, gentle massage or light touch) 
  • vocalization (low pitch vs. high pitch, humming, moaning, sighing, grunting) 
  • visualization board "birth board" & affirmations 
  • aromatherapy
  • setting the mood i.e. playing music, turning the lights down
  • discuss any worries, fears or thoughts lingering about birth
• go over hospital norms/what to expect at triage & when admitted

• what to pack for the hospital/birthing center 

• what to wear and how to feel safe, secure & and relaxed while birthing

• body autonomy & newborn medical choices for home, birthing center & hospital births 

• make sure that your questions and concerns are answered
• ensure that you and your partner feel prepared, ready, safe for child birth

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Labor and Delivery Expectations: 

• be on-call from 38-42 weeks

• be present the entire time while you are in labor and delivery at setting of your choice

• help you and partner feel empowered while obtaining important information necessary to make informed decisions about your birthing experience

• provide continuous emotional reassurance, encouragement, caring/calm presence 

• provide physical  support by help creating a calm environment (dim the lights, draw a bath, food/hydration reminders) 

• provide informational support by guiding and keeping individuals informed of your birthing choices through evidenced-based information

• encourage different breathing techniques and birth positions

• supports partner by informing them on what is going on, keeping them informed, allowing for bathroom/movement breaks

• amplifying your decisions and voice 

• can take birthing photos/videos upon request ​

Dear Doula does not:

• speak to hospital staff (i.e. doctors, midwives, nurses, any hospital employee) on the client’s behalf, however, will encourage, remind and mirror positive communication

• replace the role of your partner

• make decisions for their client & partner

• conduct any medical procedures, interventions, exams on birthing individual or newborn baby.

• work for hospitals, birth sites, or other health care professionals.

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*Dear Doula supports home, birth center and hospital settings births. 

Dear Doula supports ALL birthing decisions (i.e. medicated and non-medicated, induction, vaginal or cesarean births).*