"Doulas create an emotional holding environment for the mother,
encouraging her to allow her own body to tell her what may be best at various times during labor..."
Christiane Northrup, M.D
What is a doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek language meaning "woman servant." A doula is a woman specifically trained to give compassionate and emotional support to women in labor by being highly sensitive and responsive to the laboring woman and aware of her needs, moods, changes, and unspoken feelings.
A doula serves as a nonjudgmental advocate, facilitating communication between medical staff and the laboring family. She educates with objective viewpoints and informational alternatives (risk vs. benefit). She assists in creating a safe, supportive environment, as well as giving encouragement and reassurance.
I have completed a doula training with Cornerstone Doula School in Oakland, CA. I am excited to offer my doula services to my community and always look forward to the honor of serving in this way. I come with a full medicine bag to provide the best birth experience possible. I encorporate massage therapy, nutrition counseling, yoga, meditation, visualization, and breathwork into my work with pregnant and birthing women. I also help women articulate their fears around birth and work with what they might need from me, their primary care physician, whether a doctor or midwife, and their partner and/or family members.
As of right now, I am offering a sliding scale for my doula services. We can talk in person or via phone to find out if we are a fit and then we can discuss pricing.
Your birth is one of the most transformative experiences of your life. May you walk with grace into the doorway of becoming a parent again or for the first time. I believe that we are not only birthing our babies, but our new Self as well!
"Elizabeth, you have so much beauty, insight, compassion, and care to offer to the world.
You are the best prenatal massage therapist and doula EVER! My birth would not have been the same without you.
Love,love,love, Sidney and baby Tenaya" (Tenaya was born 2/4/09)
What is a post-partum doula?
A post-partum doula is a person who has been educated about how to help a new family ajust to their life together during the first few weeks after a baby is born.
As a post-partum doula trained and certified through the Cornerstone Doula School, I provide support to the mother as well as her partner, other children, and her household in general. I help answer questions concerning breastfeeding, sleeping routinues of the baby, nutrition for a breastfeeding woman, baby's first diapers, signs to look out for that could indicate danger, and a myriad of other issues relating to infants. Sometimes I come into the home and provide a much needed break to the mother so that she can take a shower or a nap. Other times I come in and fold the laundry, walk the dog, or just talk to the family and help them process their recent birth experience together.
The first few days and weeks after a new baby arrives can be a time full of questions and stress. As a post-partum doula, my job is to help ease some of this stress-- whether that means spending some time with the new baby's siblings, cooking a warm meal, or giving the mother a massage. The extra help is invaluable during the sacred post-partum time. It is advised that the mother rest as much as possible so that her body has the energy it needs to heal after giving birth. Often the woman feels the need to keep her household running smoothly and wants to cook and clean as usual. I take some of this burden off of the family and come in to help them create the space and time to fully enjoy each other and their newest family member.
I charge $25 an hour for in home post-partum care. Please feel free to contact me with questions.
~~ I can be reached at: Ph # (415) 706-3705 or eshelhart@gmail.com ~~
