Birth Doulas

                   Dalia                                           Susan                                     Anne                                 Ashley                                         Anjanette
Our Doula Support Package Includes:
  • A FREE meeting for you to interview and choose the doula that is right for you
  • Unlimited support via e-mail and phone answering any questions you may have
  • At least one prenatal visit to discuss your birth plans
  • Assistance with your birth plan and information about birth options
  • Twenty-four hour on-call starting 2 weeks prior to your due date and continuing until your baby is born
  • Continuity of care in your home and/or hospital once labor has begun until one-to-two hours after the birth of your baby, including the services of a backup doula if necessary
  • One postpartum home visit to discuss the birth of your baby and any concerns you may have and to provide breastfeeding support/information/referral as requested
Minimum fees are based on doula training and experience as follows:
  • Dalia Abrams DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer and DONA Certified Birth Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified Lactation Counselor: $875. Contracts signed starting Nov. 1, 2017 will be for $950
  • Susan Petrus, DONA Certified Birth Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator: $725
  • Anne Pautler DONA certified doula:  $725
  • Ashley Crowe, DONA trained doula working toward certification:  $600
  • Heather Glaze DONA trained doula working toward certification, Certified Lactation Educator:  Heather is not taking doula clients at this time.
  • Anjanette Robinson DONA trained doula working toward certification: $500
BirthWise in Birmingham doula support is available on a "sliding up" scale*. 
*What is a "sliding up" scale? This system provides you the opportunity to voluntarily "slide up" your fee when you feel it is appropriate. Your doula might spend 5 hours with you, or she might be with you for 20 or more hours. Your doula might call in a backup doula to help her if your labor is extra long or complicated. We are devoted to providing you with excellent care throughout your labor and birth, no matter how long it lasts. Your contract sets a minimum fee, you can slide up if you like.

Ask your doula about discounts for bundling our services: BirthWise A La Carte Childbirth Class + doula services.

To be truly prepared to meet your goals for labor we strongly recommend that you attend an out of hospital childbirth class. You do not have to take one of our classes. Any comprehensive class designed to empower families to make the choices that are best for them, will help you have a more satisfying birth experience. We feel so strongly about this that we offer discounts if you take our childbirth classes! Ask your doula!

Doulas do what???

A birth doula is a professionally trained childbirth assistant who works with pregnant women and their family during pregnancy, labor, birth, and after birth to provide emotional, physical, and informational support. During pregnancy, your doula may assist you with discovering your options and preferences about childbirth. During your birth your doula will offer information and support for comfort measures including but not limited to: breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, using a birthing ball, massage, music, and visualization. Your doula will provide encouragement and reassurance as your birth progresses. Your doula will also assist in gathering information about the course of labor and your options.

Choosing your doula is a very important part of assembling your birth team. At BirthWise we understand how important it is for you and your birth partner to feel really comfortable with your doula. That's why we provide opportunities for you to meet all of our doulas. Join us at our free Open House to meet the whole group and also schedule a free interview so you can find the right match for you. Our clients can always be confident that they will have the best support, because our doulas provide backup for each other in case labors are long. You can even choose which of our doulas you want to have as your backup doula. Backup doulas are called in after 18-24 hours of labor support, or at the primary doula's discretion, in consultation with clients.