I offer complete prenatal, labour and postpartum support, at reasonable rates. I support women: of any age and income; who are seeing midwives, obstetricians or family doctors; with plans to give birth at home or in a hospital; who are single or with a partner. To arrange a complimentary consultation, or if you have any questions about my services or rentals, please contact me. For more information about doulas, click here.

Birth Services

Each family's needs are different, and my role will be defined by the wishes of the mother and her family, but my services can include:

• 2 to 3 prenatal meetings (plus the complimentary consultation) to discuss information about your pregnancy, your birth preferences, any questions or concerns, and to help prepare for labour.
• Phone and/or email support anytime from the time of hiring until your baby is 6 months of age.
• Access to my lending library of books and DVDs.
• Assistance with formulating a birth preferences list, if requested.
• I will be on-call for you (reachable by pager 24/7) starting 2 weeks before your due date until the birth of your baby.
• Early labour support over the phone or in your home, as needed.
• Labour support from the time you request it until 1 to 3 hours after your baby has been born. Support can include massage, comfort measures such as hot or cold packs, relaxation guidance, suggestions for position changes, encouragement, perspective, information about what is happening, support and breaks for your partner, sibling care, photography, and practical help such as fetching drinks and food.
• Help with initiating breastfeeding, if that is what you choose to do.
• Two postpartum visits: the first during the first week postpartum, and the 2nd between 4 and 6 weeks postpartum.
• Copies of a log of your labour and birth, as well as a written birth story.

I charge a flat rate for the birth doula package. Contact me for information on rates. While doula services are not covered by OHIP, some private insurance companies cover doulas, or you can claim my fee on your income tax return, under "Medical services not covered by the provincial health plan". For more information, click here.

Postpartum Services

Bringing a new baby into the family is a time of adjustment and lots of learning. I strive to ease this transition, whether you're welcoming your first baby or your fifth. My services can include:

• Emotional support
• Help with breastfeeding
• Baby care
• Light housework
• Sibling care
• Meal preparation in your home
• Support and information by phone or email, 24/7 for the first 6 months of your baby's life
• Running errands
• Accompaniment to appointments (midwife, doctor, LC, etc)
• Referrals to other resources as required
• Pampering the mother
• Access to my lending library

Postpartum services are charged by the hour. Friend or relative having a baby? Consider giving them the gift of a postpartum doula! Gift certificates available for any amount. Contact me for rates.

Birth Pool Rentals

Water can be a tremendously helpful and relaxing tool to have while in labour. I am pleased to offer two styles of birth pool for rent:

Waterbirth International's "Birth Pool in a Box Eco".
Features of this inflatable PVC pool include:

• Comfortable, portable, easy to set up and take down.
• The first FDA-approved birth pool.
• Deep enough to cover your belly - float and change positions with ease, or rest on the built-in seat. Four handles give you a grip when you need it.
• Roomy enough for two people - 6x5 feet.
• Three inflatable chambers for safety and adjustable height.
• Patented form-fitting disposable liner for added leak protection and hygiene.
• One of the only pools made without phthalates - better for the environment, better for you and your baby.

The Birth Pool in a Box is available for rent for just $150.00 per month. Rental fee includes birth pool, new liner, tap attachment, electric air pump for inflating, thermometer, debris net, lead-free non-toxic filling hose, patch kit, submersible water pump and hose for emptying, and instructions. Home delivery and pick-up available for a nominal fee.

Rubbermaid Birthing Tub
Features of this tub include:

• Sturdy, made from hard plastic.
• No inflation necessary - just pad, line and fill.
• Roomy 3x5 foot design.

The Rubbermaid tub is available for rent for just $75.00 per month. Rental fee includes birth pool, new liner, thick foam padding, debris net, emptying kit, and instructions. Home delivery and pick-up available for a nominal fee.

For more information or to reserve a birth pool, contact me. You do not need to be a client to rent a pool.

TENS Rentals

TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) can be used for pain relief during labour. A TENS unit consists of 4 adhesive electrodes (usually applied to the woman's back), attached to a controller by 4 wires. The labouring woman holds the controller and turns the current up or down based on her comfort level. A 9-volt battery sends mild electric currents through the electrodes; this current stimulates the large muscle fibres, which can interfere with pain signals, and stimulate endorphins (the "feel good" chemical produced in your brain). TENS can actually shorten labour, help the mother to feel in control, and is especially helpful in easing back pain.

I have taken a workshop in TENS, and have a TENS unit available for rental. If you're interested in adding TENS to your comfort measures "tool kit", contact me for rates and further information. You do not need to be my client to rent the TENS unit.