SALT LAKE CITY BIRTH DOULA SERVICES

Studies show that when continuous labor support was provided by a doula, birthing parents experienced a:

• 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
• 28% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
• 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
• 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
• 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
• 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

PHYSICAL SUPPORT

• We suggest positions that feel good and help your labor to progress
• We provide soothing touch through massage and counter pressure
• We create a calm environment by dimming the lights, playing your preferred music, or arranging the room in a way that feels most comfortable for you

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

• We assure you feel cared for, confident, and heard
• We give your partner suggestions of how to best support you
• We provide continuous presence throughout your entire labor and birth
• We listen as you and your partner work through fears about birth
• We advocate to make sure your voice is heard during labor
• We debrief with you after the birth, listen to your story, and hold space for your experience

INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT

• We keep you and your partner informed about what's going on during labor
• We suggest techniques that you can use during labor like breathing, movement, relaxation techniques, and position changes (which can be really useful with or without an epidural)
• We research evidence-based information about different options in pregnancy and childbirth
• We explain medical procedures before they happen
• We assure your partner understands what you're going through and what is happening with your labor

As soon as you want to! Most of our clients hire us sometime in their 2nd trimester, but some hire us as soon as they know they’re pregnant. We recommend reaching out earlier rather than later, as we tend to book up months in advance.

Another advantage of hiring us earlier in your pregnancy is that it gives you more time to use us as a resource. Any time you have questions, need to vent, or need a referral to a pregnancy practitioner in the community, we can help you!

Even if you’re very late into your pregnancy, it’s not necessarily too late to hire us. We’ve had clients hire us when they’re less than a month out from their due date. Reach out to us, and if we have availability, we’d love to work with you!

Absolutely! Doulas support all types of birth. In fact, most of the clients who hire us choose to birth in a hospital and use an epidural. Our job as your doula is to make sure you know all your options when it comes to birth, including alternative forms of pain management (such as nitrous oxide, movement, massage, counter pressure, hydrotherapy, distraction, vocalization, and more).

If you know you want an epidural, or think you might want one and want to wait and see, doulas are still invaluable. We will help you with hands on techniques and suggestions in the time before you get an epidural (because there are usually several hours of early labor before you go to the hospital, and even then there is time before an epidural can happen).

Once you get an epidural we are there to suggest positions that can encourage your labor to progress, explain what is happening medically throughout labor, make recommendations on how to push effectively, and more.

Yes! Doulas and partners are a match made in heaven. Your partner knows you best, including how you cope with stress, what type of comforting touch you like, how to make you laugh, and what to say when you want to cry.

Your doula knows birth best, including how to help labor progress, how to manage discomfort, ways to move and positions that will feel good, and hands-on techniques that will bring relief.

As your doula, our role is to support both the birthing person and the partner, to make sure you both know your options, understand what's happening in your labor progress, and are coping well with labor. That might look like tag-teaming with your partner to give them a chance to rest, eat, or take a break. It might look like reminding your partner of ways they can physically support you during a contraction. Or it might look like your doula telling your partner what an amazing job you’re doing and that the intensity you’re experiencing is totally normal.

Our birth doula services always include backup support. One benefit of working with Heart Tones Birth Services is that we're a group, and we all back each other up as needed. We seldom end up needing a backup, but it gives you peace of mind knowing one is always there just in case.

In the rare circumstance where your primary doula can't attend your birth due to an unforeseen emergency or illness, a backup doula will step in and provide the same level of expert care.

Another situation where a backup is very useful is during longer labors. If your primary doula is with you for 18-24 hours of in-person support, she may call in a backup to step in for a period of time so you have continuous care from a doula with fresh energy and ideas.

Think of us as your personal doula matchmaker. Through our intake form and discovery call, we gather the information that is going to help us match you with the best doula fit for your personality, circumstances, needs and birth preferences. Then you'll have the chance to meet with your prospective doula to get to know each other and make sure it's a great fit.
The right doula will be easy to connect with and leave you feeling confident, comfortable and supported.

All of our birth doulas are trained and experienced in supporting cesarean births, and will provide the same level of care no matter how your baby is born.

In the case of an unplanned cesarean that happens at some point after you've been laboring, your doula will already be with you. She can help you understand the reasons cesarean is being recommended, what to expect about the process, answer your questions, and help you emotionally prepare for the change in your birth plan. In some cases your doula can be present with you in the operating room, but that is always determined at the time by your medical team and depends on several factors.

If your doula isn't in the operating room with you, she will be right there waiting for you after your delivery to help with bonding, feeding, recovery, and emotional processing.

In the case of a scheduled cesarean, your doula will help you prepare for the big day. She will help you know what to expect, give you and your partner suggestions for managing your emotions, and answer any questions you have. On the day of your cesarean your doula will meet you at the hospital and be with you before and after the surgery. In some cases your doula is able to be in the operating room, but again, that is determined at the time by your medical team.

After your cesarean your doula will be with during those first hours with your newborn. She will help with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, ensure you have skin to skin with your baby, and make sure you’re eating and resting.