What is a doula? 

A doula is a professional labor support person who offers non-medical physical and emotional support to birthing families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. 

What are the benefits of using a doula?

Just to name a few, studies have shown that women who use doulas experience:

25% shorter labors

60% reduction in epidural requests

50% reduction in cesarean rates

40% reduction in forceps use

What are my clients saying?

"We are eternally grateful to have had Joyanna at our daughters birth. She offered so much calm and strength and support, and the photos she took we will cherish forever. We couldn't recommend her enough!" Heather C.
"Joyanna is amazing!! She was my doula at the birth of my baby girl as well as our birth photographer. Even though nothing went as planned on the day of Maizy's birth, she was the most amazing addition to our team. The photos she was able to snap while also holding my hand while enduring a c-section are incredible.  I am also 100% going to attempt a v-bac on our next baby so I can have her with us again! I can't imagine it any other way!" Sarah G.
"We hired Joyanna to be our doula and birth photographer for our second baby. She was recommended by our neighbor, and we are so glad we found her! She has a very calm presence, was completely supportive of our vision for our birth, and took amazing photos of our baby's first moments." Sara B. 

What do services include?

During pregnancy

  • One free in-person consultation to discuss services and decide if we would be a good fit.
  • Provide evidence-based information so you can decide what is best for YOU and your birth
  • Assistance creating a birth plan, if desired
  • Access to my resource library with many books and articles on pregnancy and birth
  • Unlimited availability over phone/email/text throughout pregnancy to answer questions
  • One or two prenatal visits to discuss in-depth birth plan and preferences, provide information on alternatives and options during birth, and help the client become familiar with comfort measures and pain management during labor.
  • 24/7 on call from 38 weeks until baby is born
  • Referrals to local providers, include acupuncturists, chiropractors, lactation consultants, pediatricians, etc.

During birth

  • In-person support either at your home or place of birth during active labor through 1-2 hours postpartum, usually until breastfeeding is established.
  • Provide evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions during the childbirth process
  • Supporting your birth plan which we have previously discussed
  • Suggesting frequent position changes to aid the labor progress
  • Providing comfort measures including massage, rebozo techniques, heat and cold, aromatherapy, flameless candles, and position changes. 
  • Able to relieve your partner if they need a break to get food or rest
  • Able to provide your partner with suggestions for effective ways to help you
  • Help facilitate open and direct communication between you and your care providers

Postpartum

  • One postpartum visit during which we discuss your labor and birth experience
  • Suggestions and guidance surrounding breastfeeding, newborn sleep, and newborn care
  • Suggestions and guidance around maternal healing, emotional support and resources for navigating the "fourth trimester". 
  • We provide you with a timeline of your labor progress (we take notes of significant points during labor and write down facts, which allows you to more easily remember and piece your story back together).
  • Referrals to additional local postpartum professionals such as: IBCLC's, Lactations Specialists, PPD and more