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| I provide experienced professional childbirth support to women birthing in home, hospital, or birth center settings. A wide variety of birth plans are supported; including natural, medicated, cesarean, VBAC, and waterbirths.This is non-medical care, given in cooperation with your doctor or midwife. I offer a free initial visit in person or via skype. A total of two to six prenatal visits clarify your birth plan, give us time to become familiar with one another, and develop your vision of what role you and your partner wish me to have. Clients have access to books and videos through my extensive birth & parenting lending library. Discover the courage, information, and support that you can draw on to manifest your hopes for your baby's birth-day. During the birth, I focus on giving the birthing mother and family whatever support they need in order to make the experience as satisfying, safe, and comfortable as possible for mother and baby. This includes unconditional emotional support, advocacy for your wishes, and numerous comfort measures. I stay after the birth as everyone settles in together, supporting the mother in breastfeeding and getting her first welcome meal after the birth. After your birth, I'm available by phone and also make 1 or 2 visits to your home. These visits are a time to review the birth and answer any questions about breastfeeding, baby care, and new family life. Birth doula services are offered as a package, on a sliding scale. |
| Emotional Support- Starts during the pregnancy. Birth preparation, encouragement, visualizations, reassurance (from someone who's been there... a lot!) Unlimited phone & email support. Physical Support- Comfort measures, massage, aromatherapy, positioning and movement, acupressure, non-pharmaceutical pain relief, breastfeeding support. Partner Support- Preparation and facilitating family members' involvement to whatever extent they feel comfortable with. Informational Support & Advocacy- Encouraging and facilitating clear communication between you and your health care providers as necessary. Postpartum Care- Two postpartum visits in your home. This is a time to "debrief" the birth story together, offer help and information about breastfeeding, sleep, and the overall family adjustment. Extended, in-depth Traditional Home Postpartum Care is available on an hourly basis. |
| "My partner is supportive and involved, and has been preparing for the birth with me. Why would we want to have a doula with us?" Doulas (by many names...sister, grandmother, sagefemmes) have always been a part of birth in traditional societies. They offer a more objective and experienced flavor of support, and take the pressure off partners who may have their own strong emotional responses to labor, too. If the partner wants to give hands-on support to the mother, I can give quiet suggestions as to what may be helpful, and can ensure that snacks, drinks, and bathroom breaks are easy to obtain. Having a doula present at your birth can actually increase the intimacy between the couple, as the partner is freed from the pressure to "coach" and can simply be loving and supportive in whatever way feels natural. |
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| Michelle L'Esperance Certified Professional Midwife Birth & Postpartum Doula (239) 404-1799 (413) 586-3648 |
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| Home Pre-Conception Counseling Doula Training Workshops Traditional Home Postpartum Care Birth Stories & Photo Album Michelle L'Esperance, CPM Creative Movement for Birth Resources |
| Birth Doula Services |
| for Northampton, Hadley, Amherst Massachusetts and Naples, Ft.Myers Florida Experienced Childbirth Preparation & Support ~Since 1996~ |
| Creative Movement for Birth- A free monthly class for pregnant mamas and their partners. Gentle movement and good positioning in labor can make labor more comfortable and quicker. Learn how to use birth balls, chairs, pillows, and the physical support of your partner or doula for an easier, smoother birth. |
| "Michelle, your presence during my laboring with my sweet Dane changed my experience immensely and filled my greeting for him with more love and less fear. I thank you and will always be grateful for what you gave my family. Love, Megan B." professional dancer |
| Numerous studies have shown that the presence of a trained doula at birth has remarkable results, including: First-time mothers labor an average of two hours less Mothers and babies bond better Mothers and fathers/partners bond better More successful breastfeeding 50% fewer cesarean sections 60% fewer requests for epidural anesthesia 50% fewer instrumental deliveries (forceps, vacuum) 40% reduction in the use of Pitocin (a synthetic hormone) "If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." Dr.John H. Kennell |
| "an extraordinary collaboration..." Elaine Reed, birth doula client |
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