Option 1 - Birth Doula with Tracy Donegan - see below for full details

€1200 - Credit Card Payments Now Accepted

Option 2 - For birth support only - €800 (includes one antenatal meeting and oncall availability 24/7 from 38 weeks)

Payment plans also available and options for those with financial difficulties.

Gentlebirth weekend workshop for Doula clients - €175 (usually €375) Offer available only when doula + workshop booked together

1st Antenatal Meeting:

• The first antenatal is usually a get to know you meeting. We get familiarized with your medical and childbirth history. This first meeting usually lasts around 2 hours and is very informal. It gives you and your partner a chance to make sure you are comfortable with the doula you are engaging.
• Debrief any previous birth experiences and any confidential information you would like your doula to know about.
• Discussion of how your pregnancy is going so far and any concerns
• Discuss emotional aspects of pregnancy and practice any exercises or remedies to relieve pregnancy discomfort.
• Discuss your expectations for the birth and the role of your doula.
• Explore your birth partner's expectations.
• Go over a sample birth plan and explore options
• Discuss the stages of labour and go over all options available to you depending on the hospital you are attending or if you are having a homebirth.
• Provide resources available in the community (pregnancy massage, mother's groups, breastfeeding support groups
• Videos, books and magazines are available from my lending library.
• Help with any research or information you may need.

• Compose and finalize your birth preferences.
• Discuss all possible circumstances that can occur during birth that deviate from the birth plan and what your preferences are.
• Understand the process of informed consent as it applies to your birth and help your partner increase his confidence in asking key questions.
• Review of any questions regarding pregnancy, pre-labour or the first stage of labour.
• Discuss in detail physical comfort measures that you would like to try. (HypnoBirthing, Breathing, Relaxation, Massage, Water, Focusing, Mental Activity, Positions and Movement, Aromatherapy, Acupressure, Encouragement, Distraction, Vocalization, Hot/Cold, Backache Relief)
• Hands on practice of comfort measures including use of the birth ball and labour and birth positions.
• Review positions for second stage and breathing your baby down.
• Discuss how you would like your birth environment and any specific rituals and meaningful things you would like to do to welcome your baby.
• Review any questions from antenatal classes.
• Discuss the third stage of labour, the post-birth period, newborn procedures and breastfeeding preferences.
• Unlimited telephone/email contact
• I will be on call for you starting 2 weeks before your estimated date of delivery - 24 hours a day. I am contactable any time night or day and I will remain on call and available to you from 38-42 weeks until your baby is born.

Labour and Birth:

• Available to answer any questions about pre-labour and the start of actual labour.
• Telephone support until you ask for me to join you in labour - anytime night or day
• Continuous support as soon as you need me, even at your home - anytime night or day.
• Help making the transition to your birthplace as smooth as possible.

If Doula support has been approved by your hospital I will also:

• Help facilitate communication between you and your caregivers.
• Explain medical procedures including benefits and tradeoffs
• Provide continuous emotional and physical support until after the birth of your baby including body massage, foot and hand massage, aromatherapy, use of showers, visualization, guided imagery, reassurance, information about labour and birth and what to expect; various position changes to help with labour progress, e.g.. back labour; counter pressure techniques, the use of hot and cold packs.
• Take special care to help your partner or other family members (as desired) so they can participate more fully in the birth experience. (i.e. make phone calls, go for food, let the partner take breaks, pay the parking meter....call the midwife)
• If requested I am happy to take photographs or video of the labour and birth.

1st Postpartum Visit: Within 3 days of birth

• We will review the birth experience in detail and answer any additional questions you might have.
• Breastfeeding support
• Basic baby care help
• Mothercare
• Referral to a post natal Doula if required for in home day to day help.

2nd Postpartum Visit: Within 3 months

• Breastfeeding support and referral to support group if necessary