DOULA CARE

DOULAS ARE PROFESSIONALS TRAINED TO SUPPORT FOLKS (+ THEIR PARTNERS + FAMILIES) DURING PREGNANCY, BIRTH + POSTPARTUM.

My doula services are person-centered and holistic, in that I offer emotional, physical, and informational support that is specific to your needs and wishes.

MY PATH TO DOULA WORK

My background as a social worker, youth educator and formally trained dancer led me to doula work in 2016. I felt a calling to birth work, as it combines elements of all of these roles: providing critical resources and information, utilizing a deep knowledge of the body, and creating powerfully intimate relationships. My range of both birth and postpartum doula training, as well as my clinical education as a therapist has equipped me with an understanding of how trauma histories can be triggered during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as how traumatic stress manifests in the body, mind and spirit.

MY BELIEFS AS A DOULA

I understand that as a birthing person, you have the ability and the right to determine the best decisions for you and your family. The role of the doula is to assist you in practically navigating the many choices you will face, as well as to help you minimize fear throughout this process. Above all, I will support you (and your partner) to feel connected, equipped, capable and courageous throughout your childbearing journey.

Benefits of Doula Support

Research has shown that having continuous labor support, such as that provided by a doula, is linked to:

  • Shorter labors

  • Lower rates of medical intervention, such as vacuum extraction or forceps

  • Lower rates of cesarean sections

  • Decreased need for pain management interventions, such as epidurals/narcotics

  • Decreased incidence of low Apgar scores (a rating of the baby’s well-being five minutes after birth).

  • Higher rates of parent satisfaction with their birth experiences


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WHAT’S INCLUDED?

My process always begins with a [free] virtual check in, where we can get to know each other, and decide if we are a good fit for working together.

From there, we will work together to determine a level of support that best fits your needs, and reflects the relationship you want to have. Generally, a birth care package includes:

  • 2 prenatal visits

  • Unlimited text/phone support during pregnancy

  • Continuous labor support, up to 2 hours after birth

  • Immediate breastfeeding/chestfeeding support postpartum

  • 1 postpartum visit

Working together

I primarily support families locally in the Northern Nevada area. I also have select availability for exclusively virtual support packages, which I’ve found some families prefer since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Birth doula support packages start at $2,000.

I believe everyone should have access to doula support if they wish, so I also offer limited sliding scale options, as well as no-fee payment plans. These options prioritize supporting teen and single parents, as well as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families. Regardless of your location or budget, please reach out if you think we might be a good fit!

TRAINING

CORE VALUES

 
 

Evidence-based care + Informed-consent

As a doula, my role is not to make decisions about your care. That power lies only with you, in consultation with your medical provider. Instead, I ensure you have access to the information and research you need to make deliberate choices for yourself and your baby. I will also bolster your advocacy for the ability to offer informed consent and prioritize preferences for your pregnancy and birth.

Trauma-informed care

I am committed to supporting folks who have experienced traumatic births, or are carrying other personal and intergenerational histories of trauma that have the potential to be triggered during the perinatal period. My training in clinical social work has equipped me with an understanding of how trauma impacts the body and mind, as well as skills to intervene with traumatic stress reactions.

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

Reproductive justice is an intersectional political framework created and led by women of color, that combines reproductive rights and social justice. It advocates for bodily autonomy and access to resources for those who face the greatest barriers in getting their reproductive needs and desires met– women of color, indigenous peoples, trans and queer-identified folks, among others.

I am inspired and humbled by the work of reproductive justice leaders, and strive to honor these values in my doula work. I strive to support folks who face challenges to receiving the kind of compassionate and competent care they deserve because of their intersecting identities (race, gender, sexuality, class, immigration status, ability, or otherwise). I believe everyone has the right to reproductive and childbearing experiences marked by self-determination, dignity, and safety.

A NOTE ON SCOPE OF PRACTICE

I bring my values, training and experience to all of my intersecting professional roles in supporting families. Although I am also a perinatal therapist, my role as a doula does not include providing any kind of clinical mental health services.  My clinical training informs my practice as a birth worker; however as a whole, providing therapy to doula clients (and vice versa) presents a conflict of interest. I am always happy to connect both my doula and therapy clients to other providers in the area so they can access both kinds of support!

KIND WORDS

  • “We sought Lauren as our doula after experiencing multiple miscarriages and having residual pain around pregnancy and parenting in general. Lauren came to our sides during a pandemic with such warmth and safety. During pregnancy, Lauren sat with us through cries and laughs while educating us in ways we never knew we needed. During labor, Lauren became the quiet warrior by our sides; she stepped in and out as she witnessed my husband and I experiencing the dance of labor. She knew what we didn’t, but stepped back when she saw us confident in the process. My labor was a different experience then I had “planned”, however I wouldn’t change a thing. Lauren gently guided and supported our journey, while allowing us to grow and experience pregnancy/birth/postpartum privately but fully supported. Our families talked about how she became a resource for them as well, during labor Lauren updated them and they felt reassured that my husband and I weren’t alone. Having her as a doula eased, educated and supported our family in so many ways. There really are no words to describe the level of love Lauren pours into this work, but we are forever grateful for the comfort and joy Lauren added to our story.”

  • “I cannot say enough wonderful things about having Lauren as our virtual doula through pregnancy, labor and delivery. Unfortunately we live in different states and COVID was still in it's earlier stages. However, her presence was felt almost as if she was in the room. Leading up to the due date, Lauren provided education, pain management techniques and really just confidence building for my husband and I, so when the day came we felt more prepared. Once I was in active labor in the hospital my husband video called Lauren in as if she was in the room to communicate with us and the labor and delivery team. Having her sit alongside us (virtually) helped coach my husband with hands on support while I was able to focus on breathing and allowed me to labor was incredible. She was along for the entire ride even across the country and we can't be more grateful for her time, care and compassion.”

  • “When we first found out we were pregnant, we were so excited, but so overwhelmed & not sure what to do or where to start to prepare ourselves to become parents. From the start, Lauren catered to our needs of emotional and physical support throughout the entire perinatal process with nothing but empathy, love & patience for our family. She educated us on all of our options in an unbiased manner, and helped us make decisions along the way that would be best for us. We really had no idea what we were doing so that was super helpful.

    She was tactful and resourceful in the hospital room and operating room. Our doctors and nurses absolutely trusted and enjoyed her presence and support. She advocated for me personally and really went above and beyond to make sure we were as comfortable as possible and supported throughout everything we went through. (Pre-eclampsia, early induction, 3 days of labor, emergency C-section, NICU stay)

    Lauren genuinely cares about supporting you through your journey. She focuses on educating you on all of your options and helping you make decisions that will be best for your family. As new first time parents, she made us feel strong, competent & empowered. We couldn’t have imagined having a better doula in our corner or doing any of this without her!”

  • We had the privilege of working with Lauren remotely to help us with one of the most exciting and also most terrifying things we will ever do - welcoming a baby! Pregnancy is such a whirlwind from start to finish and I am so happy we trusted Lauren along the way! We do not live in the same state as Lauren so all of our lessons were virtual, however she made it feel as she was right there with us the entire time!

    She spent countless hours educating us and speaking to us about the birth process, the changes my body was going through, and preparing us for birth. I did not realize how much of the pregnancy and birth process I did not know. She was not only helpful for me but she made the process completely different for my husband. We went into the hospital with a feeling of confidence that we would have never had if we didn’t work with Lauren.

    She spoke to us throughout the entire labor process while we were in the hospital and was so helpful to help us better understand what the doctors were not telling us, and what the next steps would be. I was blessed with a beautiful vaginal birth and a healthy baby and I can’t thank Lauren enough for everything she did for us! She is truly amazing at what she does and I can only imagine how amazing she would be in person! We can’t wait to work with you again, Lauren!

GRATEFUL TO SHARE THESE JOURNEYS