Shorter Labor

• The body will naturally release oxytocin and other hormones that cause contractions and keep labor progressing   

• Without medication, the urge to push is stronger and you can work more efficiently with your body’s contractions

• You can move around freely and are able to try different positions that will help get baby into the optimal birthing position 

Unmedicated Infant

• Infants born without the use of an epidural are more aware and may take to breastfeeding more easily 

Faster Recovery

• Less swelling due to IV fluids required during an epidural procedure

• Release of natural endorphins

• No risk of epidural side-effects

• Ability to move freely during and immediately after labor

Empowerment and Confidence

• Working in harmony with your body’s natural rhythm 

• Feeling connected and in control of the experience

Source

Directed pushing is a technique in which the caregiver tells the birthing person when to push and coaches them through their contractions, usually asked to bear down and hold their breath for 10 seconds at a time throughout the contraction. Spontaneous pushing happens when the birthing person feels ready to push and is fully dilated. They use rhythmic breathing to work with the waves of their contraction and will bear down when they feel the urge to push, about 3-6 times per contraction. 

Research has shown that the strain and forceful prolonged breath holding during directed pushing may exhaust the birthing person, cause distress in the baby and cause extreme stretching of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments supporting the bladder and uterus. 

Source: The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

I suggest the 4-1-1 rule for most patients. You want your contractions to be about 4 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute each, in this continuous pattern for 1 hour. If you have already given birth, you may want to follow a 5-1-1 rule since second babies and so forth may come faster.

We will discuss this during our prenatal visit/s. I will most likely meet you as you enter active labor (4-1-1). However we will take into consideration logistics, what number birth this is for you, and how labor is progressing at that time. If you would like me to meet you during early labor, that is always an option.

Yes! We love home births. We provide service in St. Louis County and some surrounding areas.

Currently, we will work at Missouri Baptist, Mercy, St. Lukes and the Mercy Birthing Center.

We will do everything in our power to be there! This is one advantage of working with us. We utilize each other as back up doulas for every birth, so the chances of not having one of us at your birth are slim to none.

Any obligations we have during your delivery period (38 weeks until birth) and when and how to contact us in labor are all discussed prior to booking. This information is covered in detail in our Service Agreement as well.

Absolutely! Having a doula can help you prepare for labor and delivery, create a birth plan, gather information, feel emotionally supported and help enhance your care team. It’s also important to consider that your labor may progress more rapidly than you anticipate, so it is wise to be prepared to deliver without medication just in case.

Informed Consent Link

Optimal cord management, also referred to as delayed cord clamping, is the delayed clamping of a baby's umbilical cord after birth. It helps prevent a sudden drop in the baby's blood pressure by allowing extra blood from the placenta to replace the blood that flows into the baby's lungs when they take their first breaths. This can take up to several minutes and is done once the cord stops pulsing or turns white. The benefits include better iron status in the infant, easier transition outside the womb and improved lung health.

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