About Dalia
Ever since starting to teach childbirth classes in 1998 I knew I wanted to attend births as a doula. Finally, when my youngest (and fourth) child was 8 and my oldest could drive, I was able to follow my heart into the labor room. Just one birth and I was hooked. There is nothing more beautiful than a person in labor. As the birth giver finds strength and follows the body's lead, I feel honored to be there and to offer support. Watching a couple grow close, a mother support her laboring daughter, friends become amazed: I am awed each time. If you are looking for a doula to help you find the strength you possess, I would love to help you!
"She helped me through the difficult contractions and spent what was probably hours letting me know that I was made to do this and that I would get through it. She provided comfort and ultimately, helped me achieve the birth that I wanted, even when I felt like giving up. I honestly couldn't have done it without her."
Read AL.com reporter Kyle Whitmire's column about his family's doula experience with Dalia
Dalia is a DONA approved birth doula trainer, a DONA certified birth doula, a Lamaze certified childbirth educator and a Certified Lactation Counselor.
Dalia's Doula package:
- Free interview: to decide if I'm the right doula for you. We'll meet at a convenient time and location for you. I encourage you to bring your main support person (people) for pregnancy and birth. I want them to feel comfortable with me too.
- One to two in person visits during pregnancy.
- Help finding resources, help with a birth plan if desired.
- Available by phone, email, text: whatever and whenever, during pregnancy and after.
- In person support during labor, from when you want me there, until after the baby is born and you are settled in.
- Two in person visits after birth. One to make sure breastfeeding is getting off to a great start (I am a certified lactation counselor: CLC). One to ensure all is well a little further on.
- During the time of Covid-19: To keep you and your baby safe, doula interviews are being conducted virtually, and Prenatal and Postpartum visits are in person or virtual depending on circumstances. I will attend your birth in person if you are going to a hospital that allows doulas (currently Princeton or Brookwood). If not, I can provide in person support at your home, and virtual support while you are at the hospital.
View my calendar at the bottom of this page to see if I am available around your due date.
"She was a source of positivity and strength during the labor and source of knowledge and experience when we had questions prior to and following the birth. I especially loved that she took an interest in instructing my husband on how to help me during the labor instead of leaving him 'on the side lines'"
View more doula client testimonials here, and on my DoulaMatch.net profile here.
Wondering what brought me to doula work? Read my blog post "Why I Doula This" here.
To read my essays about how to get the best care for your pregnancy and birth, and to learn about the state of
birthing people's health and health care,
nationally and in the state of Alabama,
visit my blog: Dalia's Soap Box
birthing people's health and health care,
nationally and in the state of Alabama,
visit my blog: Dalia's Soap Box
You can find links to my other services here:
Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding Classes, Breastfeeding Consults (pre and postpartum), Doula Training Workshops, Parenting Consults.
Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding Classes, Breastfeeding Consults (pre and postpartum), Doula Training Workshops, Parenting Consults.
On August 4, 2017 I attended my 100th labor
(and 101st birth because twins)
Here are my outcomes for those 100 clients:
15% of the births I attended were c-sections (the rate in AL is 35%)
26% of the time, my client chose to have an epidural (the rate in Birmingham hospitals is OVER 90%)
26% of the labors I attended were augmented with Pitocin (I don't know what the average is, but it's probably more than half)
Eleven of my clients labored after a previous cesarean birth. Eight (72%) of these clients achieved a vaginal birth. (Research suggests 70-80% of well supported people laboring after a previous cesarean birth will succeed in having a vaginal birth.)
(and 101st birth because twins)
Here are my outcomes for those 100 clients:
15% of the births I attended were c-sections (the rate in AL is 35%)
26% of the time, my client chose to have an epidural (the rate in Birmingham hospitals is OVER 90%)
26% of the labors I attended were augmented with Pitocin (I don't know what the average is, but it's probably more than half)
Eleven of my clients labored after a previous cesarean birth. Eight (72%) of these clients achieved a vaginal birth. (Research suggests 70-80% of well supported people laboring after a previous cesarean birth will succeed in having a vaginal birth.)
My Birth Work Training
Doula Training;
-DONA approved doula training workshop Feb., 2010, DONA certified birth doula CD(DONA), October 31, 2010.
Maintaining my DONA birth doula certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
Doula Trainer training:
-DONA trainer training July 2012. Instructors: Penny Simkin and Kathy Lindsrom. Approved as a DONA Birth Doula trainer March, 2013.
-Reapproval requires continuing education and occurs every 3 years.
Childbirth Educator training;
-One year course with the Israel Childbirth Education Center (ICEC), 1996-1997.
-Completed Lamaze childbirth educator certification (LCCE) June 30, 2009.
-Maintaining Lamaze certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
Breastfeeding training;
-Correspondence course with Breastfeeding Support Consultants (BSC). Certified Lactation Specialist September 2003.
-Breastfeeding Educator Workshop, Brookwood Medical Center, May 21, 2010 and July 22-23.
-Certified Lactation Counselor training with Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding, December 2011. Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) January 2012.
-Gold Lactation 2020 Online Conference
-Maintaining CLC certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
-DONA approved doula training workshop Feb., 2010, DONA certified birth doula CD(DONA), October 31, 2010.
Maintaining my DONA birth doula certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
Doula Trainer training:
-DONA trainer training July 2012. Instructors: Penny Simkin and Kathy Lindsrom. Approved as a DONA Birth Doula trainer March, 2013.
-Reapproval requires continuing education and occurs every 3 years.
Childbirth Educator training;
-One year course with the Israel Childbirth Education Center (ICEC), 1996-1997.
-Completed Lamaze childbirth educator certification (LCCE) June 30, 2009.
-Maintaining Lamaze certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
Breastfeeding training;
-Correspondence course with Breastfeeding Support Consultants (BSC). Certified Lactation Specialist September 2003.
-Breastfeeding Educator Workshop, Brookwood Medical Center, May 21, 2010 and July 22-23.
-Certified Lactation Counselor training with Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding, December 2011. Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) January 2012.
-Gold Lactation 2020 Online Conference
-Maintaining CLC certification requires continuing education and recertification every 3 years.
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Supplementary trainings:
March of Dimes Perinatal Conferences 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 Lamaze Conference, September 12-14, 2008 DONA Conference, July 20-22, 2012 The JJ Way, Navigating Maternal Health Challenges Instructor: Jennie Joseph, LM CPM October 27, 2013 Lamaze and DONA 2014 Confluence conference September 18-21, 2014 Stillbirthday Bereavement Support Workshop for Birth Workers Instructor: Lauren Bishop June 14, 2015 What They Didn't Teach You About Breastfeeding Instructor: Dr. Jack Newman March 23, 2015 It's Only Natural: ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere) Conference April 30, 2015 DONA Trainers Retreat January 29-31, 2016 Advanced Doula Training Instructor: Elizabeth Steele March 18 2016 Spinning Babies Workshop Instructor: Tammy Ryan, Adv CD/BDT(DONA), SpBT November 11, 2016 University of Albany School of Public Health Breastfeeding Grand Rounds 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 Alabama Annual Doula Retreat 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Rebozo Workshop with Gena Garcia Kirby November 16, 2019 And numerous other webinars, workshops, and reading.... I am forever learning. |
 My Family
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Your investment: $1,300
I also offer generous discounts, and offer payment plans or bartering.
If you feel that I am the right doula for you, but cost is a barrier, PLEASE let me know. I am happy to offer a sliding fee scale and I am certain we can work something out!
Be sure to ask about using one of my discounts:
-$25 off for each BirthWise in Birmingham A La Carte childbirth and parenting class you take
(If you take all 8 classes, that's $200 off!!!)
-20% off for repeat clients.
-25% off for home births.
-During the time of Covid-19, $200 off if I can't attend your birth in person
Invite your family to help by buying you a BirthWise gift certificate!
Doula fees are set based on experience and training. As a doula trainer, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding counselor, and having trained over half of the doulas in Birmingham, I believe it is my responsibility to be among those setting the upper range in doula fees, to ensure that doulas in Birmingham can make a living wage and continue to do this important and vital work.
I also offer generous discounts, and offer payment plans or bartering.
If you feel that I am the right doula for you, but cost is a barrier, PLEASE let me know. I am happy to offer a sliding fee scale and I am certain we can work something out!
Be sure to ask about using one of my discounts:
-$25 off for each BirthWise in Birmingham A La Carte childbirth and parenting class you take
(If you take all 8 classes, that's $200 off!!!)
-20% off for repeat clients.
-25% off for home births.
-During the time of Covid-19, $200 off if I can't attend your birth in person
Invite your family to help by buying you a BirthWise gift certificate!
Doula fees are set based on experience and training. As a doula trainer, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding counselor, and having trained over half of the doulas in Birmingham, I believe it is my responsibility to be among those setting the upper range in doula fees, to ensure that doulas in Birmingham can make a living wage and continue to do this important and vital work.