Why hire a birth doula?
According to Evidence Based Birth, parents who receive continuous doula support are more likely to have a vaginal birth (without the use of forceps or vacuum) and less likely to have pain medication, negative feelings about childbirth, and cesareans. Their labors tend to be shorter on average, and their babies are less likely to have complications at birth.
Why me specifically?
As a RI Certified Perinatal Doula (CPD), member/owner of RI Birthworker Co-op, and member of Doulas of Rhode Island, I am committed to providing inclusive, compassionate, and evidence-based support so you can feel fully informed, respected, and empowered as you enter this next chapter of your life. I also take a lot of pride in providing comprehensive support to your birth partner every step of the way, so you can both step into this journey with confidence.
I provide four pillars of support throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth: physical support, emotional support, informational support, and advocacy support. (All clinical support is the responsibility of your providers, be they midwives, OBGYNs, or nurses!) I support your right to choose exactly what you want out of your birth experience, and am a huge advocate for informed consent.
I work collaboratively with every member of your birth team to promote a positive, easeful environment in your birth space. I always love it when my clients say, "I had no idea birth could be like this," especially since we can be so used to seeing birth be so chaotic and stressful on our TV screens.
I'll guide you how to have more productive conversations with your provider, help you gather information about all your options, and discuss the pros and cons of each one, so you can feel confident that you are making decisions for your care that fully align with your values and preferences.
Your birth experience, your way.
My Birth Doula Support Package
Here's what you get when you add me to your birth team:
1
Call, Text, and Email Support
I am a resource for you via call, text, and email throughout your pregnancy. This support kicks up from normal business hours to 24/7 on-call support two weeks before your estimated due date, up until I join you in labor.
4
One 1:1 Prenatal Meeting with Birthing Parent
This meeting may take place in-person (for those within 20 minutes of Providence) or virtually. We will discuss your birth preferences and options, construct a document to share with your provider, unpack fears and hopes around the birth, and practice advocacy scenarios. Homework may be assigned before or after the meeting to aid in birth prep!
2
Resources & Referrals
To ensure you are supported in all the ways, I provide you with a vetted list of resources, including midwives, OBGYNS, childbirth educators, pelvic floor therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, nutritionists, yoga teachers, perinatal mental health therapists, support groups, lactation consultants, food delivery services, overnight nurses, pediatricians, and more.
5
One 1:1 Prenatal Meeting with Birth Partner
This meeting may also take place in-person (for those within 20 minutes of Providence) or virtually. We will discuss partner support measures and how to work together as a support team, review postpartum support plans and resources, and practice advocacy scenarios. Homework may be assigned before or after to aid in postpartum prep!
3
Reading, Viewing, and Listening Recommendations
You'll also receive a list of evidence-based reading materials, book, film, and podcast recommendations (depending on your learning style) so that you can feel fully informed and empowered in decision-making surrounding your care.
6
One Prenatal Home Visit with Birthing Parent & Birth Partner
During this home visit, we’ll practice comfort measures and create a plan for early labor at home, discuss how to know when to go to the hospital, answer any questions or concerns, and review anything I need to know for when I visit you postpartum. This visit will ideally be held around Week 35.
7
Labor & Birth Support
Birth Day time! Once labor begins, I provide unlimited text and phone support until I join you in person with my handy bag of labor tools. Then, I implement everything we discussed at our prenatals, supporting you in the way you and your partner want to be supported, from physical comfort measures, to emotional support, to advocacy. I stay with you until approximately two hours after your baby is born, (ie., once everyone has been fed).
8
One Postpartum Home Visit
After the birth, I will visit you at home within the first 40 days postpartum to share a little love and support while you adjust to your new normal! This session is totally tailored to how you're doing and feeling that day. Options include discussing your birth story, reviewing resources for additional postpartum support, caring for the baby while you rest/shower/spend time with older children, and light baby-related housework or meal prep.
Investment
The out-of-pocket investment for my birth doula package is $1,900, with payment plans available.
If you have a Rhode Island health insurance plan—specifically Blue Cross Blue Shield or Neighborhood (Medicaid included!)—my doula support could be 100% covered for you. I have also been approved for reimbursement with Carrot Fertility.
Additional Offerings
As a film photographer, I offer immediate postpartum photography (up to two hours) to my doula clients at a friends & family rate. (Please note that I can perform postpartum photography, but not birth photography for my doula clients (except for some basic iPhone photography), as this would prevent me from fulfilling my duties as a doula! You will also need to confirm if your birthplace allows photography.)
I also offer à la carte virtual birth preparation sessions for birthing parents and partners alike to discuss labor preferences and options, construct a document to share with your provider, cover educational materials, unpack fears and hopes around the birth, practice advocacy scenarios, and plan for postpartum. Reach out to learn more.
And, just for fun, you can follow along with my deep dives into the art, culture, and history of birth around the world on my Instagram page, Renaissance Birthwork.
Interested in having me on your birth team?
I am for the ones who wish to honor their pregnancy and birth experience as the sacred rite of passage that it is; preparing with patience, intention, and care. For the ones who have a clear vision for their birth and are willing to take the necessary steps to make that vision a reality, while holding space for the fact that birth is a force of nature that can never be fully predicted or controlled. For the ones who seek to understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives of each of their options, while ultimately heeding their intuition. For the ones who want their babies to arrive earthside in the gentlest and most loving way imaginable.
All are welcome. Hate will never be tolerated by me, ever.
Contact me to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to determine if we're a good fit!
*Emily Frank, CPD does not provide medical advice or perform clinical tasks. Conversations via text, call, email, content of this website, such as graphics, images, text and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition. Doula support is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider for medical decisions regarding you and/or your children.