Welcome to Gentle Haven Doula Services.
Birth + Postpartum Doula services for those living in Calgary, AB and surrounding areas.
Postpartum Doula Support
Overnight support
I offer specialized overnight doula support to help parents rest while their baby receives attentive care. Here's how I can support your family:
Infant Care:
Feeding Support: Assisting with nighttime feedings, whether bottle or breastfeeding.
Diaper Changes: Managing diaper changes to keep the baby comfortable.
Soothing: Using gentle techniques to help the baby sleep.
Parental Rest:
Promoting Sleep: Taking over nighttime duties so parents can sleep better.
Monitoring and Safety:
Safe Sleep Environment: Ensuring the baby's environment is safe.
Guidance and Education:
Nighttime Routines: Offering tips for effective sleep routines.
Sleep Education: Teaching parents about infant sleep patterns.
My mission is to assist both new and seasoned parents as they navigate their postpartum journey. I recognize that this time can be incredibly fulfilling yet also fraught with challenges. I am dedicated to easing this transition by providing compassionate and professional support.
My Approach
Anticipating Needs
I am prepared to anticipate the needs of parents, offering:
Emotional support: It is vital for parents during the postpartum period to have emotional support. Here's how I provide it:
Active Listening: Creating a safe space for parents to express feelings.
Emotional Validation: Acknowledging a range of normal emotions.
Stress Management Techniques: Offering mindfulness and relaxation strategies.
Encouragement and Motivation: Highlighting strengths and celebrating victories.
Through empathetic support, I help parents feel secure, connected, and capable
Practical assistance: Navigating postpartum requires more than emotional support; practical help is essential for managing daily life. Here’s how I assist:
Household Management: Light chores like laundry and dishwashing.
Meal Preparation: Preparing nutritious meals or snacks.
Infant Care Guidance: Support with diaper changes, bathing, and soothing techniques.
Routine Building: Establishing healthy routines for feeding, sleeping, and self-care.
Organizational Support: Organizing the home for efficiency and comfort.
These services help reduce pressure so parents can focus on bonding with their baby.
Resources/Referrals
Access to the right resources has a significant impact on a parent's postpartum journey. My goal is to link families with empowering tools and community support, which includes:
Educational materials on parenting
Workshops focusing on breastfeeding and postpartum emotions
Support groups for sharing experiences
Professional referrals to healthcare providers and specialists
Referrals to lactation consultants, mental health professionals, and pediatricians ensure that families receive personalized support.
Birth Doula Services
(At present, birth services are currently on hold and I am offering full-time postpartum doula services.)
Prenatal Support
Education and Preparation: Doulas educate parents about childbirth, helping them understand their options and develop a birth plan that aligns with their preferences.
Emotional Support: They provide a listening ear and empathetic support throughout pregnancy, addressing any fears or concerns that the expectant parents might have.
Physical Comfort Techniques: Doulas demonstrate techniques such as breathing exercises, relaxation methods, and optimal labor positions to prepare for labor.
Labor and Delivery Assistance
Continuous Presence: A doula stays with the birthing person throughout labor, providing reassurance and encouragement.
Pain Management: They offer non-medical pain relief techniques such as massage, hydrotherapy, and positioning to help manage labor discomfort.
Advocacy: Doulas help the birthing advocate for themselves, ensuring that their voice is heard and their wants and needs are respected.
Postpartum Support
Early Postpartum Care: After birth, doulas assist with the initial bonding between the newborn and parents, offering support on breastfeeding and newborn care.
Emotional Transition: They provide support during the emotional transition to parenthood, helping to ease any feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.
Resource Supports: Doulas can provide families additional resources, such as lactation consultants or support groups, if needed.
Book a Free Consultation
Book a Free Consultation
Why Choose a Doula?
Choosing a doula can be a life-enhancing decision for expecting and new parents, offering numerous benefits during the childbirth and postpartum journey. Here are several reasons why hiring a doula can be a positive choice:
Emotional and Physical Support
Doulas offer ongoing emotional and physical help during labor, delivery and postpartum. Unlike medical staff with multiple duties, a doula's only job is to support and comfort the parents. This support includes:
Emotional reassurance: Providing encouragement and helping manage anxiety or stress during labor and postpartum.
Physical comfort: Offering massage, positioning suggestions, comfort measure and other techniques to help ease labor and postpartum pain/discomfort.
Advocacy and Information
Doulas act as advocates for the parents whether they are in labour or postpartum, ensuring their preferences and birth plan are respected as much as possible and they feel supported postpartum. They are well-versed in childbirth and can:
Provide information: Help the birthing person understand their options and make informed decisions.
Facilitate communication: Act as a bridge between the birthing person and medical staff, ensuring clear communication.
Personalized Care
Doulas offer personalized care tailored to the birthing/postpartum person's needs and preferences. This individualized approach can include:
Prenatal visits: Establishing a relationship and understanding the parents desires and concerns.
Postpartum support: Assisting with initial breastfeeding, newborn care, and offering emotional support after birth and further postpartum supports.
Improved Birth Outcomes
Research suggests that having a doula can lead to improved birth outcomes, such as:
Shorter labor: Doulas help with relaxation and effective labor techniques, potentially shortening the duration of labor.
Reduced interventions: Continuous support from a doula can decrease the likelihood of needing interventions like cesarean sections or epidurals.
Higher satisfaction: Many parents report higher satisfaction with their birth experience when supported by a doula.
Support for the Partner
Doulas support the birthing person and help their partner feel involved and less stressed, improving the experience of birth and postpartum for both parents.
Choosing a doula offers important emotional, physical, and informational support, making childbirth and postpartum more positive and empowering. Doulas are dedicated companions during this major life event, fostering a nurturing environment for the birthing person and their family.
Contact Me
For questions or to book a consultation