Birth doula: information, emotional support, and guidance before and during childbirth

A birth doula is a labor support person who attends to a birthing family’s emotional and physical needs before and during labor and birth. A birth doula does not replace your medical caregiver (midwife or doctor) or your birthing companion, but rather helps that companion become involved in the birth to the extent that he/she feels comfortable. 

Continuous labor support has consistently been shown to improve birth outcomes.* The doulas at Sunflowers Healing and Wellness combine unique backgrounds in HypnoBirthing, management consulting, health and wellness coaching, clinical hypnotherapy, energy healing, childbirth education, and doula training to assist their clients have empowered, satisfying, safe, and joyful birthing experiences. 

Our doulas believe strongly that every family deserves to write their own birth story. Our doulas will help you understand all your birthing options, then help you create the conditions and strategies most aligned with your preferences. 

The combination of HypnoBirthing and Doula support is powerful. Many of our clients choose to also study learn HypnoBirthing with Lindsey  and enjoy shorter, easier, more comfortable labors by choosing providers aligned with their birth preferences, maintaining good prenatal health, and practicing HypnoBirthing techniques. As a result, our clients’ statistics are notably better than national averages.

• National cesarean rate: 32.7%
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients cesarean rate: 6.5%
• National average length of labor for first time mothers (FTM): 18-24 hours
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients average length of labor for FTMs: 12-15 hours
• National rate of use of synthetic Oxytocin (pitocin) use: 36.3%
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients rate of use of synthetic Oxytocin (pitocin) use: 19.5%
• National rate of use of IV pain medication: 27.6%
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients rate of use of IV pain medication: 1.3%
• National rate of use of assisted vaginal birth (e.g., suction or forceps): 20.0%
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients  rate of use of assisted vaginal birth: 2.6%
• National rate of epidural use in labor: 76.1%
  • Sunflowers Doula Clients  rate of epidural use in labor: 23.4%

* Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can HelpYou Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993). 

Blissful Birthing Basic Support  |  Lindsey - $1250 | Katia - $1250 | Janna - $850

This package is available to families who have already experienced a labor, parents planning a repeat cesarean, and/or Sunflowers Healing and Wellness HypnoBirthing students. 

• One prenatal visit (around 32 weeks) to learn your expectations, desires and fears and birth preferences
• Hypnosis recording to help you prepare for your birth with confidence
• Phone and email support throughout your pregnancy 
• On-call for your Birth Month (38-42 weeks gestation) 
• Continuous support throughout your labor (at your home initially if desired, then at your birthing destination) and early postpartum for up to 24 hours, then an Overage Fee of $50/hr applies. Time begins upon arrival during labor and concludes with the birth of the baby, not when your doula leaves. Additionally, for labors extending beyond 24 hours, a back-up doula may be called in to ensure you continue to have the best doula support possible. For scheduled cesarean births, continuous support from the time you and your doula agree upon on your birthing day until approximately 2 hours after your birth
• Labor and/or birth photos with your camera, if you choose 
• Breastfeeding support immediately after birth 
• Unlimited phone, email and text support for the first six weeks after birth
• Referrals (lactation, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, midwives, obstetricians, etc.) 
• Optional: One postpartum visit in the first 6 weeks to review your birth and check in on your adjustment

Blissful Birthing Deluxe Support  |  Lindsey - $1400 | Katia - $1400 | Janna - $1000

This package is available to all families and includes everything in the Basic package, plus a second prenatal appointment (around 36 weeks) to help you prepare for your birthing day. 

Blissful Birthing HypnoBirthing Support  |  Lindsey - $1700 

This package for Lindsey’s clients only is available to all families and includes everything in the Deluxe package, plus HypnoBirthing tuition for Lindsey’s 5-week group course.

Additional Services

• Placentophagy Preparation Services - $95 (fee waived for homebirth clients)

Sunflowers Doulas attend births in homes, birth centers, and hospitals in most of DC, Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax), and parts of Prince George’s County. Please inquire to see if service is provided to your area. 

Please contact us to inquire about availability during your birthing time. Even if it’s last minute, we may still be able to help you have the birth you desire. 

We are always available for returning clients! Lindsey is currently accepting new clients with due dates in January 2019 and beyond. Katia and Janna are currently accepting clients with due dates in August 2018 and beyond. 

Because attending your birth is important, our doulas carefully balance on-call periods. Unless a personal/family emergency arises, you can count on your doula to be with you for your labor and birth. In those rare situations when she cannot attend, a back-up doula will be available.