What is a Doula?

The role of the Doula is to provide continuous physical and emotional support through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. During labor, the Doula’s job is to focus on the needs of the pregnant person and their partner - guiding the laboring person through the use of their breath, voice, body positioning, gentle massage can be offered, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, encouragment, education, visualization, meditation, advocacy and whatever is needed for that unique birth and moment.

However you choose to give birth, unmedicated, medicated, or surgically, the support of a Doula is incredibly beneficial in lowering stress, increasing birth satidfaction, and reducing the odds of unnecessary interventions.

People who received continuous support in this study were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support. Another study to read on the Impact of Doulas - On Healthy Birth Outcomes and or listen to this fantastic song and its honest lyrics all about what a Doula- la-la does!

9 Reasons To Hire A Doula
Local Prenatal + Post Natal Resources

Explore all Doula Services and offerings below.

Studies Show That Doulas…

Postpartum Ceremony

Integrating mom. BIRTHING IS a rite of passage THAT NEEDS honorING

Sometimes refered to as 'Closing the Bones', 'Sealing the Bones' or 'Warming the Bones' is an old ritual passed down mainly from the Latin cultures, where a mother is cared for in a way that helps heal from her birthing expreiece and assists integration into her new role and stage of life. For many generations there has been a ritual of calling of the mothers spirit back to herself after she births. It’s a common practice in Latin cultures but one can find similar postpartum ceremonies from other cultures.

The truth is the new mother has been a portal for carrying life and has now made it through. This new moment deserves a pause, to be honnored, with revrence, support and gentle care. A postpartum ceremony can look many different ways, the important part is to follow the ways that feel right for you.

When I offer these modern day ceremonies, I do so by presenting a blend of some traditional postpartum ayurvedic healing techniques from India, the use of the powerful latin ‘Closing the Bones’ ritual, western herbal wisdoms, the use of nutritious foods, songs and sweet sisterly support. All designed to give recovery modalities both ancient and modern that fit the changing needs of that mother. Some practical tools for new moms on their path forward into motherhood can also be offerd. 

Shared with a mother after she has stoped bleeding post birth but can be done at any time on a mothers journey, even years after the birth, I was offered this ceremony 7 years postpartum. Trust the timing for you, you will know when it is time for you to honor, heal from, and or acknowledge the rite of passage that motherhood is.

Vaginal Steam Healing

Our wombs are at the root of our being, both literally and metaphorically. The uterus is the center of creation.

Vaginal Steaming Can Bring Relief To: menstruation issues (such as cramping, dark/brown/black blood, spotting before and after period, excessive mood swings or clotting) endometriosis, fibroids, cysts, polyps, prolapse, pcos, infertility, postpartum recovery, post-hysterectomy recovery, post-miscarriage recovery, sexual trauma recovery, and infections. In addition to these physical benefits, the 20 minutes you spend grounding into your pelvic floor can be a way to reclaim your connection to your feminine center, which is important post baby, post bleeding, or post trauma. Read more about Vaginal Steaming on this BLOG POST.

Postpartum Doula

Nurturing new families from the start

So the mother can rest and get the support she and her new family need, a postpartum doula arrives to aid in this time of deep transition. The doula provides emotional support as well as helps with practical tasks for the family. The doula will do what that family needs most, which can consist of answering questions related to the birth, help in healing from birth, cook nourishing foods, light cleaning, running errands, grocery shopping, help with siblings, make herbal teas that aid in healing, help with new born care, breastfeeding support and also give educational and emotional support for anything that is arising for the mom and family. Above all, the postpartum doula fully understands and honors the importance of the 'cocooning period' 'the golden months' ‘the first 40 days’ that follow after a baby is born. Just like each birth is unique and requires different things, so too is the postpartum time.

Postnatal Yoga

Schedule a private or group postnatal yoga session with Tawny Sterios, Hatha yoga teacher and Doula for over 14 years, and receive a guided practice that focuses on the physical and metal benefits of the yoga.

By utilizing pranayama (breathing techniques) and specific physical postures, a women begins to create a strong and flexible body and mindset that will help her through this special time.

Becoming Mama Package

$1,500

◊  1 initial meeting in person to connect/interview/get to know each other

◊  3 Prenatal Visits (1-2 hours each)

◊  Support durring Labor and Delivery

◊  1 Postpartum Visit. Within 2 weeks of delivery. (1-2 hours)

◊  Phone/Text/E-mail Support Throughout

◊  Optional Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Privates

◊  Optional Postpartum Ceremony

Blessingway

Mothering as a rite of passage

Traditionally a Navajo ritual created to spiritually support and empower the new mother for her journey of birthing and motherhood, this beautiful ritual has been adapted as an alternative to baby showers, where the focus tends to be more on the gifts and the baby, rather than on the mother and her experience. Some women choose to have both a baby shower and a Blessingway since the celebrations are so different from each other. A Blessingway will often include sharing positive birth stories, inspiring poems for the mothers journey ahead, henna art on the pregnant mamas belly and on guests hands, pampering the guest of honor with foot baths, massages and loys of blessings, songs and prayers. 
Read More About Blessingsways

Maiden to Mother Package

$1,700

◊  1 initial meeting in person to connect/interview/get to know each

◊  3 Prenatal Visits (1-2 hours each)

◊ Support during Labor and Delivery

◊  2 Postpartum Visit. Within 2 weeks of delivery. (2 hours)

◊  Phone/E-mail Support Throughout

◊  1 Prenatal and or Postnatal Yoga Private included

◊  Optional Postpartum Ceremony

Prenatal Yoga

Prepare physically, emotionally and spiritually for the transformation of birth

Schedule a private or group prenatal yoga session with Tawny Sterios, Hatha yoga teacher and Doula for over 14 years, and receive a guided practice that focuses on the physical and metal benefits of the yoga.

Learn how yoga can powerfully support women through both their labor and birthing journey. By utilizing pranayama (breathing techniques) and specific physical postures, a women begins to create a strong and flexible body and mindset that will help her through this special time. Prenatal yoga poses support the nervous system, balance hormones and stress levels and brings deeper awareness to ones pelvic floor and power. Naturally calming, yoga instills trust in ones body and its ability to birth.