My Role
As a doula I draw on my knowledge, training and experience to provide emotional, physical and informational support. I provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions as labour progresses and help with relaxation, massage, positions and other techniques for your comfort. I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital. I see us all working together as a team to help ensure the best birth outcomes and memories.
The majority of births attended by doulas are with couples. I would like to reassure the partner that our role in no way takes away from or replaces the role of the partner. Rather, my presence allows the partner to be involved to his/her own level of comfort and participation in this most wonderful, amazing, miracle—the birth of your child.
How I Practice
I prefer to meet with you and your partner for an initial visit. This allows me to become acquainted and to explore your priorities and any questions or concerns you may have. This meeting does not oblige you to have me at your birth
If you decide to have me at your birth my sevices include:
- Two prenatal visits
- I am on call 24 hours a day during your birth month.
- I provide all my parents with a labour handbook and access to my lending library of pregnancy, birth & parenting books, CD’s & DVD’S.
- A backup doula is on call if I am unavailable.
- Monthly Meet the Back Up Teas.
- Early labour support as requested at home or hospital.
- I remain with you once active labour has begun until one or two hours after the baby is born.
- Physical, emotional, and informational support for labour,birth, and breastfeeding.
- Photographs during labour, birth and recovery if you request them.
- One or more postpartum visits
- postpartum breastfeeding help as needed
During the prenatal visits I will want to become familiar with your birth plans and provide any information or education you may need to make informed decisions about your care. It is helpful for us to know how you cope with pain and fatigue and your thoughts about medications as well as defining how you see us working together.
When to Contact Me
From the moment I am hired I provide support via email and phone addressing any concerns the mother or father may have. After our prenatal visits, I encourage you to call me any time you have questions or concerns and after your caregiver visits. I would like you to call me as soon as you are in labour, your water breaks or you know you are going to be induced. This allows me to make arrangements and to be available when you want me with you. Except in extraordinary circumstances, myself, or my back-up doula will remain with you throughout your labour and birth.
After the Birth
I remain with you for one or two hours after the birth, until your baby has breastfed, you are comfortable and your family is ready for some quiet time together. You are welcome to call us at any time before our postpartum visit, with any questions or concerns you may have. I will visit you once after the birth of your baby, to review the birth and provide any assistance I can that would help you in your adjustment to parenthood. If you need extra breastfeeding help I will visit you as needed and welcome you to attend a breastfeeding clinic.
My Limitations as a Birth Doula:
- I do not perform clinical tasks and am not a health care professional.
- I do not make medical decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need to make your own informed decisions.
- I will not speak to medical staff regarding matters where health care decisions are being made. I can discuss your concerns with you and suggest options. I can support you in discussions with staff as your advocate.
Fees
My fee is $850. A deposit of $425 is due on your first prenatal visit. The remaining $425 is due at you seond prenatal visit or by 38wks (2 weeks before your baby’s duedate), Whichever come first. Cheques should be made out to Jasmine Cairo.
Refunds
Once the prenatal visits are completed the deposit is non-refundable. After 38wks the remaining is also non-refundable.
Client information remains strictly confidential.
Our prenatal visits can cover:
Comfort Measures
Pain Coping Skills
Fears & Hopes
Fetal Positioning
Stages of Labour
Labour Positions
Birth Planning
Informed Consent
Belly Casting & Mehndi
My Birth Bag Contains:
Birth ball
RobozoAromatherapy
Massage oil
Hot & Cold Packs
Acupressure
Rescue Remedy
Labour Drinks
Camera
and much more…
HATHOR the winged cow of creation, was the Egyptian Goddess of birth & death. She was known as the Mother of Mothers and presided over women, fertility, children & childbirth. It was said she attended the birth of every child. She also governed all bodily pleasures: sound, music, song, dance, art, love, and touch.
