Blog & Birth Stories

Blog posts are written by Owner and Doula of Katie Marie Doula Services.

Birth stories are anecdotal stories of births in which the author was granted permission to share from the birthing parents. All persons involved are kept anonymous.

Rupturing Membranes in Labor | What and WHY?

Rupturing Membranes in Labor | What and WHY?

AROM comes with some really serious risks that some obstetric providers tend to gloss over or deem “highly unlikely” to happen. Let’s talk about them... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

March 11, 20246 min read

5 Benefits to Hiring a Birth Doula

5 Benefits to Hiring a Birth Doula

Physical comfort during labor During labor as contractions begin to get uncomfortable, your doula can be a set of hands to provide different comfort measures during contractions to counteract the pres... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

July 21, 20233 min read

Cervical checks, dilation, effacement, & station. What are they and do they matter?

Cervical checks, dilation, effacement, & station. What are they and do they matter?

** Trigger Warning: Some language in this blog post may be upsetting for those who have experienced sexual assault and/or medical assault in the past. Please proceed with caution. ** You’re nearing t... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

June 12, 20236 min read

Whose managing YOUR labor?

Whose managing YOUR labor?

I have given birth to five children and yet before I became a birth-worker I had never heard the terms active management and expectant management. I may be wrong, but I can assume that a high percenta... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

April 24, 20233 min read

https://katiemariedoulaservices.com/how-my-birthing-experiences-gave-me-more-passion-for-my-profession/

https://katiemariedoulaservices.com/how-my-birthing-experiences-gave-me-more-passion-for-my-profession/

Becoming a doula and learning what I have about birth throughout training has made me want to have another baby…hear me out. I’ve had five babies and I’ve closed that chapter in my life so I’ll start ... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

April 13, 20235 min read

Pitocin Induction At 38 Weeks Gestation Due To Suspected IUGR.

Pitocin Induction At 38 Weeks Gestation Due To Suspected IUGR.

Note: Mom’s provider was an OB/GYN, birthing in a hospital and without the support of a Birth Doula. First-time mom headed into her 38 week prenatal checkup at her OB/GYN office. They were doing BPP’... ...more

Birth Doula Serving

April 03, 20234 min read

Birth Services

Birth Doula Services

Childbirth Education / Birth Planning

Testimonials

FAQ'S

What does a Doula do?

A Doula provides physical, emotional and educational support throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

What type of births do you support?

I support all types of births. I support births at home, in a birthing center or in a hospital. I support non-medicated and medicated births. My role is to give you the information to make evidence-informed decisions regarding your pregnancy and birth and then to support those decisions whatever they are.

What areas do you serve?

For birth support, I serve all areas between and surrounding Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Childbirth education can be done 100% virtually.

What happens if you cannot be at my birth?

When you are my client, you are my #1 priority. I will make every effort to be at your birth as promised. In the rare event I cannot be there such as severe illness or family emergency, I have a backup Doula I work closely with. You will receive her information at one of our prenatal appointments. In addition, I have several back up doula contacts in the community that I work with.

What is your refund policy?

I require a non-refundable 50% deposit at the time of contract signing with the remainder of the fee due at 36 weeks. In the event you decide to cancel I offer a % refund depending on the gestation you are to cancel. Any cancellations past 36 weeks are not refundable. For my refund policy in detail, please contact me for more information

Does a Doula replace the support of my partner?

Doulas and birthing partners work together as a team to provide continuous support to mom throughout labor and delivery. We will practice physical comfort techniques during prenatal appointments so that partners can feel confident in their support on delivery day.

Does having a Doula really make a difference?

YES! Women who have a Doula are much more likely to report a positive birthing experience. Although a Doula cannot guarantee any outcomes, evidence shows that having a doula reduces the rate of birth interventions, medicinal pain relief and C-sections.

How does a Doula support me if I plan to have an epidural?

There are many tools available to a laboring mom and the epidural is one of them. I support all birthing options and make sure you have all the information you need to decide what feels right to you at the time. Before an epidural there are sensations that require focus to work through. I will help to keep you comfortable with providing comfort measures such as breathing, positions, massage and other tools until an epidural is available to you. After the epidural is placed, there is much to be done between resting to manually mobilize the pelvis and encourage baby to continue to rotate & descend now that we do not have the added benefit of gravity.

Is a Doula necessary for me if I had a baby before?

Every birth process is unique and therefore having the experience of a Doula to guide you allows you to go through this journey with more ease and confidence. Many of my clients are on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, even 5th babies when they hire me.

I've heard labor is faster after my first. Why do I need a Doula?

Many experienced parents talk about how the second and subsequent births can go faster than the first experience. This is because the uterine muscle has done this before and therefore can travel through the stages at a greater speed but this is not always the case. Every birth experience is truly unique and there are many variables in birth to be considered. Having a doula's support and expertise can optimize the chances for a more efficient and pleasant birthing experience.

How is Doula support different than family and friends?

Family and friends are an amazing community of support to have. The challenge is that many of them do not have the same experience or unbiased support that a Doula can provide. Friends and family tend to share many of their opinions and may feel that the way they did things are the right way. Your Doula is your guide to find “your” way through this journey.

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