Hey Mama, you got this.
Hi! My name is Laney and I’m a Birth Doula.
In my first life I had a fast paced corporate career in the Bay Area in California. I was a department Director, attended meetings with the CEO, and used terms like “synergy”, “core-competency”, and “over-leveraged” non-ironically. (Eyeroll)
Now I’m a mom, a giant birth nerd (giant nerd, not giant births), and a certified labor doula in the North Carolina Triangle.
I love it so much.
I support families in all their forms including LGBTQ+, adoption, and surrogacy. I also engage in continuing education related to supporting trauma survivors and healthcare discrimination against BIPOC and plus size birthing people.
My doula services include
Preparation
Prenatal sessions can accomplish:
Exploring your vision for birth, your priorities, and any “big fears” we can navigate together.
Answering questions that have come up in pregnancy or prenatal classes.
Understanding your birthing options and developing a birth plan.
Discussing and practicing comfort techniques
Building our bond.
Also includes unlimited phone/text/email support.
Labor
Labor support includes:
24/7 availability after 37 weeks
In-person emotional, education, and physical support during labor
Helping facilitate your decision making process during stressful moments
Guiding partners through participation, if needed
Breathing, meditative, and positioning techniques
Advocacy support
Non-judgmental support and reassurance
Postpartum
Once home, postpartum support can include:
Emotional support in processing your birth story, newborn challenges, baby blues, etc.
Practical support in household needs including light cooking and cleaning, laundry, snacks and water
Educational support on newborn care, swaddling, feeding, sleeping, etc
Breaks for napping, walks, showering, instagram scrolling..whatever makes you feel like a person.
“Doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding.”
- National Institute of Health
Services and Pricing
All clients receive…
Free Initial Consultation
All services begin with a complimentary consultation where we discuss your goals and my services. You’ll get a chance to see if we’re a fit, and if we make a personal connection.
Dedicated Schedule
Once we complete the agreement, you have dedicated space on my schedule. Only a limited number of clients are accepted for a given due date month to ensure my availability.
Unlimited Phone/Text/Email
While we are working together, I’m available for questions or concerns you may have regarding your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
A Postpartum Visit
All services include at least one postpartum visit to check on your physical and emotional wellness, and discuss your birth story if you’re ready.
Feeding Support
If you would like help with latching, nursing, pumping, bottle feeding or alternative feeding techniques; I can offer basic support both after labor and during postpartum visits. If you need more advanced expertise, I can refer you to a local Lactation Consultant.
Local Referrals
If you ever need additional support I can provide referrals to local professionals including midwives, lactation consultants, pediatricians, specialty massage therapists and chiropractors, etc.
The Packages
Service packages combine birth preparation (prenatal visits) with hands on labor support and postpartum care to ensure a smooth transition back into home life.
Or let’s create your own custom package!
-
One prenatal session to establish goals and birth plan
24/7 on call starting at 37 weeks
Twelve hours of hands on labor support
One postpartum visit to check in on you and unpack your birth story
$800
Payment options available for low income, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families
-
Two prenatal sessions
24/7 on call starting at 37 weeks
Hands on labor support through 1-2 hours after birth
Three postpartum visits (9 hrs)
$1300
-
Three prenatal sessions
24/7 on call starting at 37 weeks
Hands on labor support through 1-2 hours after birth
Six postpartum visits (18 hrs)
$1700
Additional Postpartum hours available at $35/hour.
How it works
We Meet.
A free consultation kicks us off.
We’ll see if we’re a fit and I’ll answer any questions about my services.
If we both agree it’s a fit, we’ll sign a contract and I’ll reserve you a spot on my calendar.
We Prepare.
Prenatal sessions generally start in the third trimester. The more time we spend, the more we can cover. Your birth goals and creating a birth plan are the top priority.
I’m also available to answer questions, provide insight, or calm nerves throughout the pregnancy.
Baby Arrives.
As baby approaches we are texting all the time. You keep me in the loop on sensations, and I help you interpret progression.
When labor starts you let me know and I join you for the big event!
I sneak out a few hours after baby is born, once everything is calm and your new family can’t stop staring at eachother. (It’s the best!)
You Settle In.
I come over a few days postpartum to check in on your new family. We can unpack your birth story if you’re ready. I can make referrals to local specialists if needed.
We schedule additional sessions, if applicable. Those visits include whatever is needed to allow you to heal and bond with baby, all informed by evidence based and traditional practices.
Celebrating your choices
Birth and parenting are fraught with deeply personal, and absurdly scrutinized, decisions. Unmedicated or pain free labor? Breastfeeding or bottle? Co-sleeping or crib?
The right decision is always what’s right for your family, and your circumstances. You can count on me to cheer you on and reinforce your choices. As your doula, my only opinion about your decisions is that I want you to feel great about them.
Let’s do it.
laney@birthwithlaney.com
(919) 561 - 5132
Located in Durham, NC
Serving the NC Triangle.
FAQs
-
A doula is a person trained to provide evidence-based and experiential physical, emotional (and spiritual, if desired) support, as well as education and advocacy for the birthing person during and after birth.
Doulas are non-medical birth professionals and are present solely to serve you. I am not affiliated with any hospital or medical practice. I provide consistent, unbiased support whether you; desire an epidural, water birth, hospital or home birth, unmedicated, or scheduled cesarean (belly) birth, have a partner who wants to be involved or are planning to labor alone... my priority is your comfort and care, period.
-
Oooh, great question!
A midwife is a licensed medical role. They have specialized training in medical care for birthing people. They work in homes, birth centers, and hospitals. In a hospital setting a Midwife will be caring for multiple birthing people. Unless you birth at home, your midwife will work for the facility.
A doula is not a medical role. We are there to tend to your non-medical needs, with a special emphasis on emotional support. You are our only focus, and we work for you; not the hospital or birth center.
While your midwife will come in to check progression, dilation, and vitals, etc… your doula will be with you through every contraction.
-
Absolutely! As a doula, I can provide emotional and educational support in many settings, even when comfort measures are not a concern.
Many birthing people choose to have a doula for their planned cesarean, induction, or epidural; and a doula’s participation improves outcomes in those circumstances.
-
I’m fully vaccinated and take advantage of the most current booster shots.
I am happy to utilize masking, gloves, and at-home Covid test kits in any arrangement to make you comfortable. At times I may choose to use these measures based on the circumstances in my own family.