My name is Chantel, and I would love to be a part of your birthing experience!
Upon making radical changes with the way I viewed my own health, and watching the documentary, 'The Business of Being Born,' I realized that the way babies come into this world is more important than we typically care to place emphasis on. I do not have children of my own yet, but I have a knack and passion for all things pregnancy, childbirth, gentle parenting, and health. Last year I made the decision to pursue my certification as a doula through DONA International. I received my training from Jessica Atkins, CD at East-West Family Health Center in Austin, Texas. Aside from my doula training, I am an intactivist, lactivist, attachment parenting advocate, blogger, and I study nutritional therapy. None of my personal beliefs will effect our relationship as parent and doula. With that said, I am also available, at your request, to provide you with the best information on any topic that you wish to know more about.
What training have you had?
As I mentioned above, I completed my doula training course with Jessica Atkins, CD, at East-West Family Health Center in Austin, Texas.
In addition, I have completed a Breastfeeding Competencies for Birth Professionals course that was led by Janet Jones IBCLC.
I have also completed my required Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class, also led by Jessica Atkins, CD.
Post doula training, I spent some time as an intern with Get Babied!, a doula collective here in Austin, Texas. What I mostly took from the short time I was there was how to meet and communicate with parents-to-be as potential clients.
Post doula training, I spent some time as an intern with Get Babied!, a doula collective here in Austin, Texas. What I mostly took from the short time I was there was how to meet and communicate with parents-to-be as potential clients.
I have finished a number of DONA's required reading list that covers topics such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth partners, the role of a doula, and interventions.
In addition to all of my formal education, I continue to educate myself daily through websites, videos, books, and personal experience about what is best for mother and baby before, during, and after birth. I also keep a separate blog that is dedicated to more specific topics.
What is your fee, what does it include, and what is your refund policy?
Because I am still working towards my certification, I offer my services to you on a sliding scale of $100-$200. DONA requires my attendance of 3 live births with evaluations before I can be considered for certification. A certified doula typically charges anywhere from $500-$1200 depending on her experience, where she lives, etc. My fees will also go up once I am officially certified. Refunds are considered on a case by case basis at this point. It depends on how much you have compensated me and how much of my promised duties I have fulfilled. If in the unlikely incident I fail to show up to your birth without any notice to you, you will receive a full refund.
My services include:
-One initial in-person consultation.
-Help you in creating your birth plan.
-2 Prenatal visits, or more if you feel are needed. Checking in, doctor's appointments, etc.
-My attendance during your labor and delivery.
-One postpartum visit 1-2 weeks after delivery.
-Unlimited contact with me via phone, email, Facebook (available 24/7 beginning 2 weeks prior to your estimated due date and all the way up to your birth).
Other services I offer (optional):
-Photos of your birth (I am not a professional photographer, but I am more than willing to capture the birth of your child for you).
-I will create your birth story (a written account of your labor and delivery).
-I can provide education/information/resources regarding breastfeeding, circumcision, baby wearing, co-cleeping, and vaccinations.
-Nutritional guidance for mother and/or baby.
-Aromatherapy
-Childcare for siblings pre/post natal
-Running errands for you
What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
I am going to take a piece that I have written on my blog that I think best answers this question.
"I like to compare childbirth to pooping. It's one of the most natural things we do here on Earth. Everyone poops, and everyone entered into this world through the vessel that we call woman. Every time we poop, do we rush to the hospital in need for a doctors assistance? No. We trust our bodies natural processes. Every now and then we get a hernia, or may become really constipated and need a remedy, but even that can be prevented much of the time. For the most part, we poop with no problem. It is our first option, and medical interventions are seen as secondary if necessary. I believe childbirth should be viewed the same way. It is time that we stop convincing women that they are incapable of giving birth on their own."
This by no means suggests that I will not attend a hospital birth. I want to and I will. In my opinion, the comfort level of the mother is what is most important. If you are not comfortable giving birth at home or in a birthing center, and a hospital is what gives you your peace of mind right now, then I say that is what you should do. Having more doulas in the hospital setting is an important element to the changes that I wish to see in maternal care in our country. I do not want to tell you how you should give birth. Better yet, I wish to empower you and provide you with as much information as you desire so that you can see that you have options in any birth setting, and therefore you can make your own decisions. I am here to support you in whatever way you wish. I am not here to replace or take over the role of your partner. They have their role and I have mine. I support any way your partner wants to be involved in your birth. I support families of all types regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientations.
My services include:
-One initial in-person consultation.
-Help you in creating your birth plan.
-2 Prenatal visits, or more if you feel are needed. Checking in, doctor's appointments, etc.
-My attendance during your labor and delivery.
-One postpartum visit 1-2 weeks after delivery.
-Unlimited contact with me via phone, email, Facebook (available 24/7 beginning 2 weeks prior to your estimated due date and all the way up to your birth).
Other services I offer (optional):
-Photos of your birth (I am not a professional photographer, but I am more than willing to capture the birth of your child for you).
-I will create your birth story (a written account of your labor and delivery).
-I can provide education/information/resources regarding breastfeeding, circumcision, baby wearing, co-cleeping, and vaccinations.
-Nutritional guidance for mother and/or baby.
-Aromatherapy
-Childcare for siblings pre/post natal
-Running errands for you
What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
I am going to take a piece that I have written on my blog that I think best answers this question.
"I like to compare childbirth to pooping. It's one of the most natural things we do here on Earth. Everyone poops, and everyone entered into this world through the vessel that we call woman. Every time we poop, do we rush to the hospital in need for a doctors assistance? No. We trust our bodies natural processes. Every now and then we get a hernia, or may become really constipated and need a remedy, but even that can be prevented much of the time. For the most part, we poop with no problem. It is our first option, and medical interventions are seen as secondary if necessary. I believe childbirth should be viewed the same way. It is time that we stop convincing women that they are incapable of giving birth on their own."
This by no means suggests that I will not attend a hospital birth. I want to and I will. In my opinion, the comfort level of the mother is what is most important. If you are not comfortable giving birth at home or in a birthing center, and a hospital is what gives you your peace of mind right now, then I say that is what you should do. Having more doulas in the hospital setting is an important element to the changes that I wish to see in maternal care in our country. I do not want to tell you how you should give birth. Better yet, I wish to empower you and provide you with as much information as you desire so that you can see that you have options in any birth setting, and therefore you can make your own decisions. I am here to support you in whatever way you wish. I am not here to replace or take over the role of your partner. They have their role and I have mine. I support any way your partner wants to be involved in your birth. I support families of all types regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientations.
