Shared Care Doula Service
‘Through Shared Care we bring together all of our experience, expertise & support as Birth & Postnatal Practitioners to ensure that the new mother has access to every tool she could possibly need in her unique mothering journey’
Melody Robinson, founder of All Things Birth & Beyond
OUR PACKAGES…
PAY IN FULL
£1500
2 INSTALMENTS
£777
6 INSTALMENTS
£277
Book a FREE Clarity Call to take the next step in your Doula Support Journey…
DID YOU KNOW?
Doula involvement in pregnancy, birth and beyond has had these positive outcomes:
34% Decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
31% Decrease in the use of labour augmentation
28% Decrease in the risk of C-section
14% Decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care unit
12% Increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
9% Decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
— Hodnett et al, 2012
As professionals trained in childbirth, we provide emotional, physical, & educational support to expectant, birthing & new mothers.
Over the years, we have learnt it is best to offer birth doula services in a shared-care capacity. This means that pregnancy support is available from BOTH OF US & that one of us will be with you during labour & birth. In the extremely unlikely event that one of us is unable to get to you, or your labour continues for a few days, it is best practice to ensure you have built a relationship with us both to ensure that you have someone with you that you know and feel comfortable with.
Whichever Doula is with you during your birth will continue to stay with you for at least a few hours after your baby’s birth to assist with your comfort & well-being, & your baby’s first feed.
WHAT DO WE OFFER TO YOU ANTENATALLY?
- 6 antenatal coaching calls with Mel, focusing on your emotional well-being
- 2 in-person/virtual meetings to discuss your birth and postnatal preferences
- Private Whatsapp group chat from the moment you engage with our services until our final postnatal meeting
- You will have access to our library of pregnancy, birth, & postnatal books.
- Access to all our on-line content (comprehensive, evidence-based, current information on everything you might want to know about birth and postpartum)
- We can assist you in gaining a better understanding of the medical management of birth, and ensure your choices are acknowledged and supported.
WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU DURING YOUR LABOUR & BIRTH?
- We will be on call 24/7 from 14 days prior to your estimated due date (EDD) until you baby is born.
- Our role is to help you have an emotionally safe, memorable, & empowering birthing experience.
- We will be guided by your birth-plan, decisions, needs & wishes, to provide on-going practical & emotional support until your baby is born.
- We provide comfort with pain-relief techniques including breathing, relaxation, massage, rebozo & optimal positions.
WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU POSTNATALLY?
- Comprehensive feeding assessment on day 1 – includes tongue function assessment using Hazelbaker guide (gold standard)
- Approximately one week after your baby’s birth, we will visit you in your home & use the time to reflect on your labour & birth experience with you, provide sling support and singpost to any local support services you may find useful
- 1 week meal delivery (menu is based on optimising postnatal recovery
- 1 x women’s pelvic health consultation
The stats speak for themselves. But let’s talk about how we can work together so that your birth experience is right for you & your family.
HOW EXCITING!
THESE ARE OUR PROMISES TO YOU...
- We agree to meet three times (preferably two antenatal and one postnatal visit) with you and for at least one of us to be present according to Covid-19 regulations as a support during your baby’s birth.
- As part of this agreement, we will be available for consultations by WhatsApp from confirmation of booking to the last visit/virtual meeting.
- Should your circumstances change, and you no longer require our support during your labour and/birth, we will shift our support to providing postnatal care for the duration of the on-call period to a maximum of 14 hours. This includes our specialist practitioner roles in infant feeding.
- We agree that our role is supportive and that we will always be guided by your birth-preferences, decisions, needs and wishes.
- We will not give any medical advice, nor do we purport to be midwives.
- We agree to share care and be ‘on call’ from 14 days prior to your due date until your baby has been born.
- You will receive access to our Labour & Birth video series, & Infant Feeding video series, as well as our First Aid Course.
- Should we all decide to meet more than the meetings stated above, these extra meetings are not covered by this agreement and will be paid at a rate of £45/hour.
THIS IS WHAT WE ASK IN RETURN...
- I am responsible for scheduling and attending my appointments with my Doulas (online coaching calls x 6 recommended between 30 and 36 weeks, first antenatal appointment no later than 30 weeks, second antenatal appointment no later than 36 weeks – in ideal circumstances)
- I wish the Doulas working on behalf of All Things Birth and Beyond Ltd to share care and support me during my pregnancy, labour and birth.
- The decision to retain the Doulas remains mine and the Doulas do not accept any liability for any problems during or after pregnancy and birth.
- I understand and agree that at least two Doulas will meet me three times, and that one of those Doulas will be present, according Covid-19 regulations, during the labour and birth of my baby.
- I understand that I retain the Doulas at my own risk and that any injury or mishap regarding myself or the baby will not be the responsibility of the Doulas.
- I agree to pay 45p/mile.
- I understand and agree to pay an additional fee for extra visits beyond those stated above, should I wish to meet the Doulas more often.
OUR PACKAGES…
PAY IN FULL
£1500
2 INSTALMENTS
£777
6 INSTALMENTS
£277
Book a FREE Clarity Call to take the next step in your Doula Support Journey…
MEET YOUR DOULAS
Thank you! You really made it all work for me. You’re a wonderful support and I loved it. I’m so glad I worked with you xxx
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…
What if my baby is born before 38 weeks?
It is standard practice – to best manage our diary – for birth doulas to be on-call 24/7 from 38-42+ weeks. One of the reasons we choose to share-care is so that if 1 of us is not available, the other most likely will be, and you have built rapport with both of us. We know that some babies are born before 38 weeks, and we will do EVERYTHING to be with you. If we are with a birthing client in their 42nd week we cannot be held liable for non-attendance if we are called to support another client who calls us before their 38th week. If this is a concern for you, we do offer guaranteed availability from 37 weeks for an additional fee of £340.
Who will attend my labour?
Mel or Claire will attend to you in labour. If whoever is in attendance feels that it is no longer safe to be with you, and she’s been with you for more than 12 hours, the other one of us will come and take over. We have had a handful of occasions over the years where we have been with families for 24+ hours – we cannot provide our best support when we are exhausted.
What if I opt for a Cesarean birth?
You may decide to have a caesarean birth, later in your pregnancy. We will support you in preparing for this and can be in attendance to you in theatre; if you choose for us not to attend to you at a caesarean birth, we will provide 14 hours of postnatal support instead.
Are there any additional expenses involved?
No additional expenses are incurred without your pre-approval and may consist of additional antenatal appointments, breast-pump hire, sling hire, or extra postnatal support.
How much mileage can I expect to pay?
Mel and Claire live at YO31 and YO42 in the York area. You can calculate mileage at 45p/mile.
What if I don't want Shared Care?
If you only want one Doula to attend to your during your pregnancy and birth, there will be an additional charge of £500.
OUR PACKAGES…
PAY IN FULL
£1500
2 INSTALMENTS
£777
6 INSTALMENTS
£277
Book a FREE Clarity Call to take the next step in your Doula Support Journey…
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