overview of offerings

I don't walk into a prenatal visit with a strict lesson plan.  Rather, these visits are times of connection, vulnerability, and exploration, tailored to the individual journey each family is on.  

While we will certainly cover all the basic aspects of birth, such as the physical phases of labor and suggestions for flowing through labor, I like to go deeper.  Would you be interested in:

•  a fear release ceremony?  
• birth processing from a previous birth?  
• a before-birth herbal foot bath and blessing/prayer? 
• postpartum meal preparation?  
• journaling and introspective work to tune in to your intuition, explore your views of pain, and pinpoint the answers you will find in birth? 
• creating birth bracelets or a birth altar/affirmation wall to connect you with the women in your circle who love you? 
• reading a birth-related book together and discussing at visits?
• watching birth videos together and thinking about how women move, sound, and flow throughout their labors?

Birth is transformative, and I've found it helpful when the prenatal visits prepare for that type of experience.

I don't have a set time limit for my birth support.  I'll stay as long as you need me!  Typically, I would say clients have me attend from active labor through the first hour or two postpartum.  

Depending on client preferences, this can include a lot of hands-on support (rebozo, massage, touch for comfort and to encourage relaxation, acupressure points, etc) and support for the partner, as well.  Food and hydration are crucial throughout labor, so I would love to help prepare snacks and beverages for you and will remind you often to drink and eat.  Other clients want less hands-on support, desiring that I hold space and witness. 

For those who are interested, I can bring essential oils, homeopathy, labor combs, a TENs unit, etc with me to the birth.

While I do have knowledge of many different labor positions that are helpful in a pinch, I find that when labor is progressing well, I will usually affirm your position choices and encourage you to stay attuned to your body and baby -- you will know how you need to move and what feels right!

Perhaps the biggest part of my support is on a heart level, provided through verbal affirmations, prayers, guided breath work, visualization, and the knowing that comes from having walked the path before.