YOUR BODY.
YOUR BIRTH.
YOUR WAY.
Providing Birth Doula Services to Western New York
DOU·LA
n. a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth.
A DOULA PROVIDES -
· PHYSICAL SUPPORT·
Doulas offer ideas for different positions during labor for comfort and progression. They provide hands-on comfort measures including counter-pressure and comforting touch, along with breathing techniques, to help a birthing mother manage her labor.
· EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ·
In a situation like birth, where emotions are raw, a doula can be a calming, nurturing presence. The doula can help the family find a positive state of mind, and create an environment that best suits the family’s goals for their birth experience.
· EVIDENCE-BASED INFO ·
· PARTNER SUPPORT ·
DONA doulas are committed to providing evidence-based information that allows parents to make informed decisions regarding their birth. Without judgement, a doula respects the mother's right to make plans for her ideal birth experience and offers tools and resources to help her achieve this.
A partner's experience in the birth is important. A doula's role is not to replace the partner, but to enable him or her to have an intimate role in the birth without added stress. A doula can offer an outside, objective perspective when needed, while the partner provides the emotional connection that only he or she can.
YOUR BODY WAS DESIGNED TO DO THIS.
BIRTH
DOULA
PHILOSOPHY
Empower Birth Support was created because I believe every woman deserves to look back on her birth as a positive experience. A doula can provide you the tools and support to achieve this.
My name is Katie McCarthy and I am a DONA certified birth doula. In this role, I provide continuous support, both emotional and physical, during labor and birth. Doulas provide evidence-based information that allows parents to make informed decisions, leaving them with a sense of empowerment.
Be an advocate for yourself before, during and after birth. For that matter, always be an advocate for yourself! Sometimes it can be difficult, and that's when you need those you trust to ensure your concerns are addressed, and your wishes, within reason, are met.
I would be honored to be there for you, during one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in life. To help you uncover your ideal birth, whatever it may be, and work towards achieving it.
Empower yourself to achieve your ideal birth.
I can't wait to meet you!
- Katie McCarthy CD(DONA)
WORDS FROM THE WISE
"If a woman doesn't look like a goddess during labor, then someone isn't treating her right" - Ina May Gaskin
"The way a person feels about their birth experience has very little to do with how that baby came out. But completely to do with how they were treated in the process." - January Harshe
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU WORK WITH ME?
STANDARD BIRTH DOULA PACKAGE: $1200
· MEET & GREET (Always Free) ·
30-minute, no-obligation meeting to discuss what I can offer and see if we're a good fit.
· UNLIMITED PHONE/EMAIL SUPPORT ·
Available by phone/text/email to answer any questions from the time we decide to work together until 6 weeks postpartum.
· 1-2 PRENATAL VISITS ·
In-home meetings to become more comfortable with each other and discuss your plans for birth, along with any concerns you may have. We will practice comfort measures and review signs of early labor.
· ON-CALL ·
Available 24/7 from two weeks prior to your due date until your birth.
· CONTINUOUS LABOR SUPPORT ·
From the time you'd like me to join you until 1-2 hours after your baby is born, I will provide continuous physical and emotional labor support.
· ONE POSTPARTUM VISIT ·
1-2 weeks after the birth, I will join you in your home to see how you are doing and discuss your birth experience, answering any questions or uncertainties you may have.