Here’s the top questions I get asked by potential clients at the Meet n Greet meetings. I’ve answered them in hopes they help you feel more at ease about having the support of a doula at your birth.
1) What do you love about being a doula?
I love being present to see that quiet moment when mom holds her baby for the first time. This moment feels like time stops and all you hear are the little newborn noises as they try to get comfortable in mama’s arms. Then there’s the little confused baby face as if they’re saying “How did I get here? Where am I?”.
This very moment fades away all the pain, all the doubt and exhaustion. Knowing the mom fought for this not just in the physical labor but in the emotional time it took to get pregnant and the pregnancy itself are all honored in this one sensational moment! Then mom looks up at their spouse/partner and it’s this beautiful time that puts all life into perspective. To be invited to witness this sacred space of other’s lives fills my heart to the top!
2) What areas of doula support do you feel you really shine on? What areas do you feel you are still working to improve? What certifications do you have?
I started on this path as a massage therapist. Then during my first pregnancy, I took Prenatal/Postpartum Mother Massage class to help me understand all the physical changes happening in my own body. It taught me how to work with pain, help you relax during labor and really help support your needs and support you to be as calm as possible. I have 7 years of experience in prenatal massage but am new to being a doula. I hope to always learn from every experience; even my 500th birth. After my own 2 full labors, my experience is that I understand; high-risk pregnancies, NICU stay, pregnancy loss, IUI/IVF infertility, and older moms pregnancies. My tool belt is full of many techniques to work with you before, during labor and when you’re healing as a postpartum mother.
Certifications:
*Licensed Massage Therapist (NH#7179M) 7years+
*Acupressure
*Red Cross CPR for Adult/Infant and First-Aid
*Bradley Method Pregnancy 12 week Course
*Preparations for Birth @ Concord Hospital
*Breastfeeding Class @ Nini Bambini
*Prenatal/ Postpartum Mother Massage®
*Spinning Babies Workshop (techniques to help both mama & baby for birth)
*Birth Doula by Nina Cullen through Nini Bambini
*Reiki Master through Audrey Pearson (all 4 levels)
*Energy Medicine Practitioner through Donna Eden (2 full years)
*Baby & Toddler Massage
* Oncology Massage with Tracy Walton
*Worked At Hartford Hospital full time in CT 2011-2015
3) How will you help me at my birth? What techniques will you use to help me move through labor?
“Support” means different things to different people and I value your input and direction to know what works best for you and your spouse/partner. I arrive with a small ‘Mary Poppins’ suitcase filled with items including hot/cold compress, a rolling pin for back pain, LED wire lights to create a soft ambiance to help make a hospital room feel more comfortable. I also have a wireless speaker to play any of your playlists to your greatest hits.
My skill tool belt includes:
Body Positioning– to help the baby go into the optimal position and to use gravity so that the mom can find a little ease through labor.
Acupressure-These are meridian points that when applied pressure, the energy supports stimulating labor, turn a breech baby, speed up prolonged labor, help with back pain, and calm your nervous system when you need rest during labor.
Rebozo– which is a long structured scarf used to help give the baby space to reposition or relax during labor (I do rebozo work at my week 38 meeting with mom as well).
Aromatherapy– Aromatherapy can be used to help keep emotions calm and relaxed for the nervous system but more specifically can be used during pregnancy, labor and postpartum for mom and baby (when used with safety guidelines with dilution and education). I highly recommend DoTerra oils for their safety and purity. Check out my Essential Oils page for more info.
Massage– Massage can keep mama relaxed with a neck, shoulders, back, legs or feet massage during early labor and/or after birth. I bring massage oil that is safe for pregnancy. I recommend cold pressed, unscented fruit and vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower or fractionated coconut oil because:
- They are non-toxic and safe if ingested
- They can contain beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin E, which are good for the skin
- They contain nutrients that help prevent rancidity(keeping it fresh)
- These oils are less slippery when applied, so it’s safer to handle your baby & mama not slipping after application
4) How do I get in touch with you when labor begins—are you always on call? When and where will you join me? What if you can’t come when I need you? If you are unavailable when I go into labor, do you have backups?
Once we are under contract, your phone number is added to my phone’s ‘Exception list‘ so that I can hear your calls/texts at any time of the night/day. I am then here for you 24/7 through out your journey. We can text, have scheduled phone calls or you can meet up for coffee during this time. I want to hear about how your doctor visits are going and especially the position of your baby. Once you are having labor symptoms, CALL YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. Then the next step is to CALL me. Please don’t text- call me instead; I need time to make sure I am getting enroute to meet you. I will meet you at your arranged birthing place: hospital, home, or birthing center. Please remember 5-1-1. This is a general term for preparing to arrive at your birthing place. This means when contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute and during 1 hour, then head to the hospital. (Ask your doctor when they recommend you to arrive if you have complications,etc). If the weather isn’t ideal, leave earlier. If you live far away from your birthing place, leave earlier. If for some reason I am 2 hours away from the hospital or there’s a delay or emergency, I do have backup doulas that I work with that could meet you until I arrive. If you have someone in mind, I can work with them. But the closer you are to your due date, my schedule stays local. For this reason, I only accept up to 2 doula clients per month. I do see clients for appointments Sundays and Wednesdays and would leave from there in Bedford, NH.
5) How would you describe yourself as a doula? How would others describe your personality?
I am a very positive compassionate calm reassuring mama, wife and woman. I am comfortable with all forms of trauma and know that we all are entitled to be treated with kindness and understanding. To me, having options is important and to not feel stuck. I value education and patience as life can change so quickly. I honor my clients and am devoted to support for a positive beautiful birthing experience.
6) How long have you been a doula and how many births have you attended? What types of births have you attended—home birth, hospital, birth center?
I took the doula course @ Nini Bambini in September 2018. I would love to attend a home or birth center birth ! I have attended hospital births at this time.(Concord Hospital, Elliot, CMC). I have the experience of working with pregnant moms for years and am excited to grow as a doula!
7) How do you support my partner in labor? How long will you stay with me after labor?
How amazing to see a couple bring a child into the world. I support both the mama and her spouse/partner. Having a doula allows for the spouse/partner to be more fully present at the level that they are comfortable. Spouses/partners don’t have the education and experience of births as a birth coach and thus might feel nervous of the process. Having a confident doula empowers the couple to both be supported. Labor can be a whole day or more event. So knowing that there’s a doula in the room, lets the partner/spouse relax and have the choice to give their energy toward the mom or to grab food, nap, or leave to get anything for the mom. While nurses may tend to many patients, a doula stays at mom’s side. Having worked in most local hospitals, I can help the couple feel comfortable with the process and help to keep the room clean during the stay.
I generally stay about an hour after the birth just to make sure everyone is settled and to take pictures. I can stay longer if requested. Usually mom is exhausted and needs rest and the mom might be moved to a maternity room.
8) What happens if I need a C-section? What If I am a scheduled Induction or High Risk pregnancy?
I can still support your birth. Having a doula present for your c-section can help keep blood pressure down, keep you calm and present with emotional care. I can be there before your surgery to provide you with any answers or make the transition easier for you. I can stay after to help keep you calm, take baby pictures, and support the birth still 100%. Please note that different hospitals have different rules about how many and who can be present in the OR with you. Please ask your OB ahead of time so you know what your hospital’s rules are. I can still meet you before surgery and stay in the room until after surgery to ensure your support of your babies arrival. Most c-sections are about 1 hour which includes: prep time, delivery and clean up.
Yes, you can definitely benefit from having a doula at an Induction or if you have a high risk pregnancy. Having the added support will help you get through your birth that much more! There’s more involved with high risk or induction births and I would recommend you have a doula. Be less stressed knowing you have a birth coach/ doula at your side and that will support you and your spouse too during this important time.
9) What is included for postpartum care?
Our contract continues until our Postpartum meeting which can be scheduled anytime until 1 month after your birth. This meeting will include a home visit which I may have your birth pictures for you, can offer referrals for any mama/baby care needs and check in with you and your spouse/partner. If you prefer, this meeting can be over the phone. For such a tender sacred time, this meeting is kept short to an hour at most. This last meeting represents the end of our doula contract although my door is always open to support your family.
10) What’s included in your fee? What’s your fee and refund policy? What does it cover?
Please check out my Doula page which includes all info for payments, terms and conditions.
BONUS: Are there any things I can do DURING pregnancy to help my baby prepare for birth?
There are A LOT of things you can do! For starters, check these Spinning Babies exercises out! I also highly recommend taking a Birthing/Pregnancy class at a local hospital with your birth support/spouse/partner. There’s a lot of information to learn and I can certainly help answer any questions regarding the courses. I am currently offering a 90minute Labor Prep session. If you’re interested, check out my massage page.
I hope this helps to see if we are a good fit for each other. I am open to any questions whether at a Meet ‘n Greet or Meeting #1. I prefer to meet both the mom and the partner/spouse so that both people can be present to ask questions. I would like to know how to support you both and offer open communication. I so look forward to meeting you and being there for you through your magical birth process!
Ariel Fitzgerald: Birth Doula & Massage and Energy Therapist 