Kathy Pehlke, Certified Doula (DONA)

I realize that the needs and concerns for each expectant mom may vary.  I have recently divided my services down into various categories to best meet your needs.  If the Full Service is something you do not need or can not afford, other services are available.

Package #1 - $500.00 - Full Service
A minimum of 2 personal prenatal visits during your pregnancy to become familiar with each other, to formulate your birth plan and to discuss comfort measures and the overall labor process and to practice various birthing positions and movement.  We discuss your wants, needs, options, expectations, desires and fears.

Loving, uncondition labor support, starting whenever you request me to join you (usually when active labor starts, when you can no longer talk through contractions).

Phone and email consultation.  You will have access to me by home phone or business cell phone for questions.

Music:  I bring a small CD player to births:  I have some relaxation music, but please feel free to bring your own choice of music.

Assistance with initial breastfeeding

General help after the birth with personal needs (food, drink, shower)

Qualified backup doula to provide doula care if for some unforeseen reason I would be unavailable (illness or injury)

One of the services I really enjoy providing and couples seem to love is either a comprehensive birth story for you and your family to cherish or a personal DVD put to music of pictures I can capture around the 8th month of pregnancy with your husband to show off that beautiful glow that a woman has especially during her 3rd trimester along with pictures I may be able to obtain during labor and immediately after the birth with you bonding with your new precious newborn.  This can be put to music of your choice.  This is automatically included in the full service package or can be purchased separately (see package #2).

Package #2 - $150.00 - DVD Only - One of the services I really enjoy providing and couples seem to treasure a lifetime is a personal DVD put to music of pictures I can capture around the 8th month of pregnancy with you and  your husband to show off that beautiful glow that a woman has especially during her 3rd trimester.  Then if you choose to take pictures at the hospital bonding with the newborn and other family pictures that you may have the time to capture, I can add them into the DVD with music.

Package #3 - $100.00 - Birth Plan Services - Have you been asked if your  "birth plan" is ready?  I can visit you and together we can discuss and complete a birth plan to inform and guide your health care provider on your birth preferences. When you are experiencing labor and birth, you are at the most vulnerable time in your life and sometime situations occur that you don't have time to think about and make informed decisions about.  By having this plan in place prior to the birth, it will help you obtain the best birth possible.

Package #4 - $150.00 - Pain Management/Anxiety - Some woman feel they need to obtain different ways to cope with the pain of labor and birth.  I will meet with you in your home to discuss various relaxation techniques and discuss your concerns and anxieties so that you can go into your labor relaxed and confident.  You will have acess to my pregnancy and birth lending library (Books & DVD's).  If you are confused about all the options you have and want the opportunity to ask questions big or small, now is the time to ask.
 
Package #5 - $17.00/hr - Adjusting to Being A "New Mom" - Some woman do not have immediate family members in the area that can help out during the first few weeks as you are adjusting to motherhood, which can sometimes be overwhelming.  Dads can ususally take some time off work after the birth, but when he returns to work and you may be alone with other children and trying to navigate through this new process called "motherhood",  I may be able to help with various tasks around the house or watch the baby as you get some rest.  I am very flexible, dependable and trustworthy.  I can adjust my schedule to meet with yours.

Packages #2-#5  - mileage may be charged at a negotiable rate depending on the distance of travel for me.

There was a time when expectant fathers were portrayed as anxious, floor-pacing, cigar-smoking men who were tolerated in hospital corridors until the long-awaited moment when a nurse or doctor would announce they were the proud father of a daughter or a son.  Today's expectant fathers are different.

When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting, today's father wants to share everything with his partner.  He wants to be actively involved; ease his partner's labor pain, welcome his baby at the moment of birth and help care for his newborn at home.  A labor doula can help a father experience this speical time with confidence.  With doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather than pull away in times of stress.  We sometimes forget that the expectations of his role as a "labor coach" may be difficult to fulfill. 

The father-to-be is expected, among other things, to become familiar with the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and hospital protocols and advocate for his partner in an environment and culture he is usually unfamiliar with.  A doula can provide the information to help parents make appropriate decisions and facilitate communications between the laboring woman, her partner and medical care providers.

The father's presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and reassuring.  The love he shares with the mother and his child, his needs to nurture and protect his family are priceless gifts that only he can provide.  With her partner and a doula at birth a mother can have the best of both worlds; her partner's loving care and attention and the doula's expertise and guidance in childbirth.