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Certified Birth Doula - Aviva College

"Doula" the greek word meaning "a woman who serves"....and truly, truly, truly to serve the expecting family is an honor beyond words. Each time I am welcomed into the unfolding and bringing forth of new life by a family, I am truly filled with awe, inspiration and gratitude...to say the very least.
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As a Doula I have witnessed many families transform in ways they never could have expected and without a doubt, with each birth, I am equally transformed. That being said, I did not choose to become a Doula because of my own personal needs of growth and transformation, though this does make for amazingly fulfilling work. I chose to become a Doula because I believe that every family has the right to be fully supported and fully informed during what for most is an event of a life time.
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I know that pregnancy and birth are not always easy. In fact, I know that often the journey is actually really, really challenging. However, I know that out of challenge arises opportunity to grow, to learn, to transform and I believe that when pregnancy and birth are looked at as opportunity, that the whole perspective changes into something beautiful and fascinating. I love to help families uncover their own fascination, their own awe and their own power as blossoming parents.

Baby H born swiftly and lovingly into his warrior mamas arms!

             Sarah Hrudka Photography

I was trained as a Birth Doula by DONA in 2007, not long after the birth of my first son, but certified with Aviva College, the same school I did my Midwifery training with. 

As a Birth Doula, my role is to provide education, advocacy, physical, spiritual, and emotional support for families in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding metro cities. Unlike the primary obstetric team, I am not responsible for the mother's nor baby's health care, which allows for me to directly care for and support the mother and her partner compassionately and continuously through the pregnancy and birth journey.​

Services include, but are not limited to: 

  • Initial non-obligating consultation - This is a time for expecting parents to meet with me, to get a glimpse of my personality and to ask questions on my services, philosophies, skills, history, etc. 
  • If hired, I offer a minimum of two prenatal visits. What happens during each prenatal visit is as unique as each family, but often we do things such as: discussion on (discovery of?!) most important values going into childbirth, practice comfort measures, go over a birth plan, create a belly cast, discuss fears, joys, concerns, hopes, dreams, or simply put our feet up and getting to know one another in order to build a strong Doula-Family relationship.
  • 24/7 Emotional, educational, physical and spiritual support from the time of hire until the day we are no longer earthside! Doula for life! 
  • I provide full and continuous birth support. During the time of labor, I meet the family at either at their house or at their birth destination (usually their house) and stay with them for at least a few hours following birth to support in breastfeeding, immediate postpartum questions. Truly, I do not leave until both parents are comfortable, fed and ready to settle in as a new family. I also tend to take many, many photos and/or video in the immediate postpartum if desired by the family. 
  • I offer at least one postnatal appointment as well. I love, love, love postnatal appointments! Again, just as with the prenatal appointments, this time can be used in any way that the family desires. However, it is common for the meetings to include:  breastfeeding support, resource referral, time to go over any questions the family may have regarding the birth, to share memories, to process emotions that have come out of the birth experience. I also love to do things like: take care of the newborn so mama and/or partner can take a nap, light house-keeping to alleviate the new parents household duties, care for older siblings or walk a family dog! 
  • Each family recieves a small gift package containing an Herbal Postpartum Bath Soak, a "Whose your Doula" onsie and a beautiful little pregnancy art magnet. 
Investment: $1100
 Payment plans are welcomed! 
Please check out my availability here!

15 minutes or so postpartum, with strong mama, father and Midwife....nothing but smiles and love shining down on the new little one. Megan Crown Photography 

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Baby P. 24 hour postpartum visit. Yummy, yummy sweet baby girl. 

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