I would love to share with you a little bit about my journey to becoming a doula. This begins over 15 years ago, when I was pregnant with my oldest son. I spent a large amount of time on bed rest trying to keep the little guy from arriving too early. During this time I was thinking about how I loved being a photographer, and yet I knew there was something more I was supposed to be doing with my career and life. I had seriously considered becoming an English teach while I was in college, but realized after a few quarters as an English major that this was not the right path for me. So, while on bed rest I read everything I could to prepare me for childbirth and becoming a mother to my son. In all this reading I learned about birth doulas, and immediately knew that was what I had been looking for! I was able to have 2 wonderful doulas at the birth of my son, Raiden. One was an experienced doula, and the other was a fresh- out -of her- training doula. After my great experience with them, I knew without a doubt that this was one of my main callings in life: to become a Birth Doula.
When my oldest son was just over a year old I took my first training, under the direction of the wonderful Penny Simkin, in 1997. I attended my first births that year, and have attended over 200 since then. I enjoy working with families from all different backgrounds and interests, and am more than happy to support you no matter where you choose to give birth: hospital, home, birth center. I would love to talk with you more to get to know you and what your needs and desires are, to see if we may be a good fit.
In 2002 I attended my first postpartum doula training in Portland, OR through an organization called CAPPA. Since then I have served over 60 families as a postpartum doula, helping to ease the transition into parenthood in whatever way I possibly can. I am also a Certified Lactation Educator and have been a La Leche League certified peer counselor in the past. I have served on the board of Postparum Support International of Washington State, and volunteered on their warm line offering support to parents dealing with a variety of postpartum dood disorders. In 2003 I trained with Birthing From Within to become a mentor (similar to childbirth educator). I enjoy continuing education!
Please use the contact form on this site to inquire of my availability for your due date. If you would prefer, feel free to give me a call instead: 425-778-6435.
What is a Doula?
- Shorter labors
- Less complicated labors
- Less need for interventions
- Less need for drugs for pain management
- Babies tend to be more alert leading to easier initiation of breastfeeding
- A greater sense of satisfaction of the birth experience for both mothers and partners
Birth Doula Care with Sindea
- Initial consultation in person, in your home or we can meet elsewhere if you like
- Access to my lending library
- Two Prenatal appointments at your home
- Birth Plan (I like to refer to it as a wish list!) Development
- 24 hour ‘ on-call’ starting from week 37
- Continuous labor support from the moment you feel you need me and up to 2 hours after the birth
- Breastfeeding support
- Support to help with potential conerns with postpartum mood disorders
- 2 Post-partum visits, the first within the first 2 days you are home with your baby
Fees:
My doula care fees are based on a sliding scale that you determine. This is based on how you feel about the care you receive, the amount of time I spend with you, and your ability to pay. The scale ranges from $1200 to $1800, and payments are typically broken into 2, however please feel free to ask about options. If you would like to add birth photography to your doula care, please add an additional $300, and that will include labor/birth/initial postpartum photographs taken and you will receive black and white portraits from these.
Postpartum Doula Care with Sindea
- Initial consultation in person, in your home or we can meet elsewhere if you like
- Access to my lending library and resources
- Lactation support and education
- Newborn care so parents can rest
- Education on how to best care for and nurture your newborn
- Meal prep for all family members
- Laundry and light household duties to help the parents rest instead of worrying about the home
- Support to help with potential conerns with postpartum mood disorders
- Sibling care
- Pet care including feeding and dog walking
- Overnight newborn care so the parents can get a night of rest
Fees:
My postpartum doula care fees are as follows: $30 per hour during the day time (typically available from 9am to 3pm), with a 3 hour minimum; $35 per hour for overnight care, with a 7 hour minimum (most families who choose overnight care have me come from 10pm to 6am).
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