Doula Services

Doula Services

Current availability:

In order to ensure that I can focus 100% of my attention on your birthing needs, I only accept two births per
month. I am currently booked through early June. Please contact me for a consultation and to discuss
availability in your expected birth month.

My Philosophy on Birth

I am a doula, childbirth educator and lactation educator, as well as a mother and wife. My philosophy is that
pregnancy and birth are natural, healthy life events that should be treated with respect and love. As a doula, I
believe in listening to the birth family as a whole and in supporting their wishes throughout the pregnancy and
birth process.

What is a Doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a
trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to
the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the
postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are
healthier and they breastfeeding more easily.

A Birth Doula:

Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
Stays with the woman throughout the labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the
woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Doula Services Offered by Jackie Georgiou:

As a Doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw upon my
knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication with your health
care provider to ensure you have the information needed to make informed decisions in labor. I can provide
reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with
relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independently self-employed. As your
doula, I am working for you, not your care giver or hospital. Because of the commitment I am making to you, I
will only accept two families in any four week period. This assures me that I will be available for you on your
special day (with exception of a family emergency or severe illness).

Choosing a Doula: I prefer to meet with you and your partner twice before labor to become acquainted, to
explore and discuss your priorities or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. At that time, we
can discuss fees. This initial meeting does not obligate you to use my services.

If you choose to select me as your doula, I will want to become familiar with your plans for labor, birth and
postpartum. I will also want to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your
partner foresee working together. I will also inform you of times that I am not available for labor support and will
do my best to ensure my availability for your labor and birth. We may also decide on other meetings and will
certainly want to remain in touch by telephone.

As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc. I am
present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy. I won’t make decisions for you. I
will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.

When you are in labor, I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need
me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide at this time whether I should
come to your home right then or wait for further change. I usually need at least thirty minutes to an hour to get
to you from the time you request my presence. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you
throughout your labor and birth.

After birth, I usually remain with you for one to two hours, unless you are comfortable and your family is ready
for private time together. I can also assist you with breastfeeding, if necessary. I am available for phone contact
to answer any questions you may have. I would like to meet one last time within one two weeks following your
birth to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about
my role.

What is the cost?

My fee for doula services as described is $600.00. A $250.00 retainer fee is due when you select me as your
doula. The balance of $350.00 is due within two weeks of your estimated due date, unless special arrangements
are made in advance.

Are Package Deals Available?

I do offer two a birth package options to families who wish to work with me for childbirth and lactation
education as well as doula services. Full details can be found on the Beautiful Birth page.

Contact Jackie

If you are interested in discussing doula services, please fill out the form below and click submit. I will contact
you within the day. We can schedule a no obligation consultation to discuss my services and your birth
preferences.

Pay your retainer fee online!

Families who have already decided to hire me as their doula may pay their retainer fee online by clicking on the
button below. Please note your estimated due date in the notes section of the retainer form. This option is for
families who have already met with me and ensured my availability and wish to pay their retainer online.