all the specifics about my doula services
All doulas run their businesses a little differently. Here's the scoop on all the important details of how my care is delivered.
how will you include my partner?
The better question is how does a couple include me in their birth team.? Some partners really want to add a doula to their experience because they want the guidance and help to make their birth an even better experience. Other partners might just go along with it because it's what the mom wants. But I often find that it's those partners that weren't that big on the idea in the first place that are the most grateful and pleased with my care when all is said and done! You and your partner are in this together and I would NEVER try to replace him or her. No one could. Quite the contrary is true.
As an intuitive and direct doula I know how to uncover what your partner really wants or doesn't want in being a support as well as his or her strengths, weaknesses, fears and hopes. I also help you identify and communicate what you truly want or expect from your partner and negotiate what that will look like so you both get the experience you're wanting without any tension or unspoken expectations. Then you are both able to really join together and partner in a strong and confident way. I can pick up any slack where your partner may be admittedly lacking and facilitate the partner to really capitalize on his or her strengths. Together we will have everything covered! I can also give your partner that much needed bathroom, phone call, catnap or food break without ever leaving you alone even for a second so that he or she is better able to be present for you in all the important ways. This is your birth and empowering you as a couple as you begin or add to your family is a vital part of my work. Do you specialize in any certain kind of birth?
I have provided effective customized doula care through all kinds of births such as a mother's 1st birth, 3rd birth, medically managed births, medicated births, short births, marathon births, totally natural births, in-hospital births, at-home birth, water birth, VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean section), vacuum birth, unplanned cesarean section, and induced birth. I have been a doula for all kinds of moms, a survivor of sexual abuse, ones with a supportive partner, absent partners, estranged partners, moms in crisis and some with young siblings present at the birth. It's like a box of chocolates! But I find them all interesting and the excitement of never knowing what's around the corner is when I feel most alive. My experience doing marriage and family therapy also helps prepare me to deal with any circumstance or situation with skill, acceptance and empathy.
how long have you been a doula?
I have been working with moms and families in one capacity or another my entire career, first as a marriage and family therapist, then an author and consultant, and finally as a doula. I started on this path over 8 years ago, earning my birth doula certification from DONA (Doulas of North America) 7 years ago. I am confident in my skills and knowledge as a birth doula and eagerly collect new skills to add to my "toolbox" at workshops, conferences, online webinars.
what is your geographic service area?
I am located in Orlando, Florida. I service most of the Central Florida area I routinely travel within about a 45 minute radius of my home in the Waterford Lakes area.
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Lisa Collins, CD(DONA)
certified birth doula ProDoula postpartum certification pending 781 799-5104
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how is your service set up?
I work alone but feel I capitalize on the benefits and do my best to minimize the drawbacks. I never want to miss a birth but once in great while there could be something major that could cause this to happen such as a family emergency, contagious illness that I can't risk passing on to you or your baby or I might find myself with another client already in labor. I minimize the risks of missing a birth by taking on a limited number of moms at a time. I commit to being in town for your birth month which is 2 weeks before your estimated due date and 2 weeks after that date. I am also fortunate to not have to work around any child care concerns as my children are older. I plan on being with you in labor and staying until after your birth. I feel this is an important aspect of my work. With so many unknowns I want you to know one thing for sure - you can count on me.
how much do you charge?
Doula fees are often commiserate with a doula's level of experience, skills & knowledge. I am a DONA certified birth doula with 7 years experience, a ProDoula certified postpartum doula, an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and a masters level clinician with decades of experience in guiding parents in life's most incredible journey, parenthood. In our complimentary consultation, we will create a custom package to meet all your pregnancy, birthing and postpartum needs. One example of a popular combination of services would be 24/7 communication, education, information and support via email/text/phone, 2 in-home prenatal sessions, face to face labor support, and one postpartum visit starting at $1,450.
what happens if you can't be there?
Although is it rare for me to ever miss a birth I always prepare for this possibility in a professional way. I am an active part of our local doula community and know many of the doulas well. After I get to know you towards the end of your pregnancy I will hand pick one of these great doulas who I think will be a good match for your personality and specific needs to serve as a back up. She will attend one of our meetings so that you can get acquainted with her and she can get familiar with your goals and priorities. That way in the off chance that she should be needed there is a great chance that she will support you in exactly the ways you needed.
how do I hire you as my doula?
While I am open to doing the customary free consultation as you narrow down your choices, more often than not a mom will have already chosen me based on a relative or friend's recommendation or felt she gathered more than enough information from my web site or phone call to move forward with me as her doula. In that case I would take a scheduled call from a mom at any point in her pregnancy. I've worked with moms who call as soon as they confirm they are pregnant, all the way to getting a call 5 days before a delivery! It's never too late to hire a doula! Most often it's a mom well into her second trimester.
We would talk by phone being sure we were on the same page, confirm my availability and schedule our first prenatal meeting in your home. After our first meeting, whether it is a consultation or a prenatal appointment I would consult with you to be sure that our match felt like a good one. If either of us, for any reason have a concern I am happy to refer you to another great area doula. Referral is a common practice in the doula world as we work closely together. That connection and trust between doula & mom is vital to the success of the process. We want to do our very best by you and in turn you are inviting us to share in one of your most intimate moments.
We would talk by phone being sure we were on the same page, confirm my availability and schedule our first prenatal meeting in your home. After our first meeting, whether it is a consultation or a prenatal appointment I would consult with you to be sure that our match felt like a good one. If either of us, for any reason have a concern I am happy to refer you to another great area doula. Referral is a common practice in the doula world as we work closely together. That connection and trust between doula & mom is vital to the success of the process. We want to do our very best by you and in turn you are inviting us to share in one of your most intimate moments.
have any more questions about my services?
I aim to make my doula care transparent and easily understood. If there's anything I've forgotten about my services or if you have a suggestion please submit below. You may want to check and see if I've already included the information you seek on the common questions page as there is lots of information there on all doula care in general.
Thank you !
Modern Mother Doula Care provides exceptional doula care for any kind of birth, customized for each expecting mom or couple.
I pride myself on delivering professional, nonjudgmental, warm and nurturing care in a clear and innovative way.
I pride myself on delivering professional, nonjudgmental, warm and nurturing care in a clear and innovative way.