Doula Services
We create birthing journeys custom-tailored just for you and your baby! We are ready to help you relax into your birthing experience and confidently enter this beautiful season of your life.
Check out the services we offer below to see how we are ready to support you!
Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virgina areas we are proud to serve: Prince George’s County, Upper Marlboro, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Vernon, Oxon Hill, Forestville, Mitchellville, Bowie, College Park, Laurel, Cheverly, Bethesda, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Fort Washington, Waldorf, Washington Highlands, Anacostia, Petworth, Mt. Pleasant, Rock Creek, Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Franconia, Springfield and Woodbridge.
Atlanta metro areas we are proud to serve: East Atlanta, Gresham Park, Decatur, Avondale Estates, Emory, Druid Hills, Bankhead, Buckhead, West End, Grant Park, Lenox, Brookhaven, Briarcliff, Piedmont Park, Brookwood Hills, Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Snellville, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Braselton, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Marietta, Powder Springs, Austell, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, and Rockdale County.
North Dallas areas we are proud to serve: Dallas, Fort Worth, North Dallas, Denton, Southlake, Coppell, Grapevine, Keller, Irving, Arlington, Carrollton, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Highland Park, Little Elm, Euless, The Colony, Flower Mound, Oak Cliff, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Celina, Colleyville, Argyle, Prosper, Duncanville, Desoto, Cedar Hill, North Richland Hills, Rockwall, Hurst, Bedford, Melissa, Allen, Lewisville, Richardson, Shady Shore, Mansfield, University Park, Farmers Branch, North Texas, and DFW.
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Group Classes
Labor Support
Lactation Support
Postpartum Support
Placenta Encapsulation
F.A.Q.
Group Classes
We offer group and virtual classes to help you prepare for the physical, mental and emotional changes that occur as you transform into parenthood. The learning curve is swift and we will enjoy getting you up to speed on childbirth education, newborn care, comfort measures for labor and options for feeding your baby. We’d love to support you!
Available classes:
- Melanated Childbirth Education
- Complete Childbirth Education
- Comfort Measures for Birth
- HelloBirth(R) (hypnobirthing)
Offered virtually and in-person in Atlanta
Pricing:
$50+
Labor Support
We create a supportive and relaxing environment for you to birth in. Whether you choose your home, a birth center, or a hospital to birth within, we can help you create a plan for your birthing day. Preparation for birth can include a birth plan, referrals to perinatal professionals and intentional birth-focused mindset shifting.
Options:
- Birth Planning Session
- In-person doula
- Virtual doula
Offered virtually and in-person in Atlanta, DMV & North Dallas
Pricing:
$900+
Postpartum Support
Transition into parenthood with the helping hands and heart of your doula! We can help with baby-related household chores, creating & fulfilling your postpartum plan, or just lend a supportive ear while you embrace your role. Let us support you in creating a thriving and joyful postpartum season.
Options:
- Postpartum Planning Session
- In-person doula
- Virtual doula
Offered virtually and in-person in Atlanta, DMV and North Dallas
Pricing:
$300+
Lactation Support
Your body was built to feed your baby and we can help you to confidently ease into it. Our support includes prenatal education, immediate postpartum feeding plan, in-hospital support and in-home lactation support from trained lactation professionals.
Options:
- Feeding Your Baby: The Basics! (group & private classes virtually & in person)
- Breastfeeding Consultation (in-person)
- Breastfeeding Consultation (telehealth support)
Pricing:
$200+
Placenta Encapsulation
We use the raw method (dehydration at high temp) of preparing placenta capsules to to maximize the herbal and nutritional benefits to the birthing person. It is reported that capsules provides a burst of energy upfront and great hormone stabilization. Safety and sanitation is of utmost importance, so we give you the option to have in-home or off-site preparation. Placenta capsules are excellent for boosting milk production and supporting hormonal balance to combat postpartum mood disorders.
Options:
- Capsules (avg. 130 capsules)
- Tincture (steeped in premium vodka)
Offered in Atlanta and DMV
Pricing:
$300+
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a doula & a midwife?
Doulas help provide non-medical continuity of care and shared decision-making by assisting with education and resources. Midwives provide medical care to the birthing person and the baby. Doulas focus on growing a bond and cultivating a healthy birth experience for the entire family.
If I have a partner, do I still need a doula?
Many of our clients have partner support throughout the birthing process. Partners can be more involved in the process when they have a doula present to guide them on ways to provide support. It can be difficult for partners (and even family or friends) to know how to help during birth. Partners can take classes and read books, but it may be hard for them to retain all the needed information. When labor begins, sometimes birthing people don’t listen to their partner’s suggestions as readily as a doula.
Can a doula support me if I choose pain medication?
There are many pain management tools available to a laboring person and the epidural is just one of them. The Birth Connections team supports all pain management options and we make sure that you have all the information you need to decide what feels right to you. If you choose an epidural, your doula can help you with comfort measures such as breathing, positioning, massage, and other tools until the medicine is administered. Your doula will also support you in the event that the epidural does not give pain relief as expected. Ultimately, your doula will provide emotional and physical support, no matter the pain management choice, throughout your birth process.
How can a doula support me if I have a c-section?
In the event of a scheduled cesarean section, the Birth Connections team will help you plan for the birth by knowing your options and what to do if you go into spontaneous labor before your scheduled birthing date. Your doula will be present on the day of the c-section to make sure things run smoothly and help with bonding and the baby’s first feeding after delivery. When you get home from the hospital, your doula will be there to help you understand what to expect with your recovery as well as learn newborn care techniques and how to feed your baby.
When is the best time that I should take a childbirth education class?
We recommend taking a childbirth education class between 28-36 weeks to allow time to practice the techniques learned in the class. Birth Connections has monthly classes taught on weeknights and weekend mornings. The benefit of taking virtual group classes is that they allow families to build relationships with other families and process class topics over several class offerings.
How is a postpartum doula different from a nanny or overnight nurse?
One of the biggest differences between a night nurse and a postpartum doula is that the focus of a night nurse is to take care of the baby while the focus of a postpartum doula is to take care of the family.
Birth Connections postpartum doulas are also focused on showing you strategies to employ when your doula is not with you. Doulas are the on-the-job trainers for this journey of parenthood. Our job is to build your confidence so we can work ourselves out of a job.
What are the minimum number of hours per postpartum shift?
During daytime hours of 8 AM-8 PM, we provide a minimum shift of 4 hours. Overnight shifts are a minimum of 8 hours and tend to be from 10 pm-6 am or 11 pm-7 am. Many of our clients prefer longer support shifts, as there are no maximum restrictions, we can create a timing that works best for your family.
During night support, what may the doula do?
At night our Birth Connections team focuses on protecting sleep cycles for parents while helping your new baby optimize their sleep, feeds, and newborn care routine. Of course, babies continue to wake frequently and your doula is your expert guide for support and education with nighttime parenting. Other tasks and goals can be accomplished (quietly) during the night shift to help keep the household running smoothly.
The Role of a Doula
Physical Support
Doulas facilitate and provide a supportive birthing environment to help you have the best birthing journey possible.
Physical support includes, but is not limited to: creating a safe and calming birthing environment, massage, relaxation, & more!
Emotional Support
Doulas provide emotional support to you and your partner throughout your prenatal, birthing and post-partum journey.
Doulas help you work through your fears and conerns while respecting your wishes and beliefs.
Information Support
Doulas provide vital information to help you remain well-informed with the most evidence-based protocols and practices.
Confidently traverse through your prenatal, labor, and post-partum journey with your doula!
Postpartum Support
Doulas can help ease your transition into parenthood by providing postpartum care services. These services can be anything from physical, emotional, or informational support to helping you around the house and more!
Doulas Do NOT...
Doulas do not replace medical professionals.
Doulas also do not speak on your behalf or replace your birth partner.
Doulas do not provide medical advice/diagnosis or perform medical procedures.