We provide physical and emotional help to women and their partners in labor. We will help you with your labor through massage, relaxation, breathing, positioning, and other comfort measures.

We want to help you to have the best birth experience possible for you whether you choose to have a natural birth, one that is medicated for pain, or have a cesarean.

The choice of how you birth your baby is yours and we are here to support you in that choice. We want to help you to have a positive memory about this special day.

To choose a doula with Birthing Your Way, we can meet and agree on services that will be provided throughout the pregnancy and delivery and immediately following birth. During prenatal visits we will learn what you will want during your labor and birth. We can then help you communicate these things to the medical personnel at your birth.

We will also help you to stay on track with your birth plan as much as nature and birth permits. Your doula will remain with you throughout your labor starting from when you feel that the doula is needed until up to a few hours after you have given birth.

Services Provided- Salt Lake County services are available. If you are interested in any services, please call or email us for details.

• An initial free interview.
• Up to 2 prenatal visits.
• 24 hours a day availability, 3 weeks before your due date until the baby is born.
• Available for you to call and email me with questions before and after the births.
• Help in writing your birth plan.
• Your doula will be present throughout your labor and birth.
• Use of my books and videos on pregnancy and childbirth.
• Help with initial breastfeeding immediately following the delivery and for the next few days as needed.
• A postpartum visit within a month of the birth to discuss the birth and help with any new questions you might have.
• Pictures of you, your husband, and your baby after the birth as the situation permits.
• A CD of digital pictures will be given to you at the postpartum visit.

Doulas and Epidurals

Even if you plan on getting an epidural a doula can be a great help to you. There is always the chance that an epidural may not work properly or that you can’t receive one for one reason or another.

If the epidural does work it is nice to have someone there that knows about birth, and can help to relieve any tension or fears that you may have about birth and what is happening to you at that time. A doula can also help you to stay on track with your birth plan as much as possible at this point.

Doulas and Cesareans

A doula can help you to begin breastfeeding after the surgery and can stay with you while dad goes with the baby to the nursery. This way you are never left alone after surgery.

Doulas and Dads

Doulas try very hard to make sure that the father is involved in the birth of his child as much as he wants to be. They work with the father to help him to know what to do to comfort you and to give you both reassurance when things can get long and tiring.

It can be very hard for your husband to see you in pain and discomfort as you are someone that he loves very much, a doula can remain objective and calm and help to remove any fears that the two of you might have.

HypnoDoula

Heather Shelley has training as a doula in hypnosis births. This is for those who have taken one of the hypno methods of birth and are looking for a doula who can help them with that method of childbirth.

Birthing Your Way Doula Packages

Basic Doula Package $350-$600

• One prenatal visit in our office
• One postpartum visit in our office
• Join you once in active labor
• Use of our library of books and videos
• Discount on childbirth classes
• Childbirth Book

Deluxe Doula Package $450-$700

• Two prenatal visits
• Massage in our office
• Two postpartum visits, one in your home and one of which is a massage
• Special gift pack for mom and baby
• Join you once you are in active labor
• Use of our library of books and videos
• Discount on childbirth classes
• Childbirth Book

From Michelle:

I wanted to write and formally thank you for all that you did to help make the birth of my daughter a wonderful experience! Your presence was exactly what my husband and I needed to ensure that our wishes for a natural, loving birth were fulfilled.

I have to admit that I was unsure of exactly what your roll would be, since I had never had the pleasure of having a doula present at the births of my other children, but your support to the both of us was invaluable and I would highly recommend you as a labor assistant to anyone I know.

My daughter’s birthday will always bring back memories of having you there to help guide me and my husband in ways to focus on enjoying birth as a natural and peaceful event. I sincerely wish you all of the best in your career as a doula, and hope that all of your other clients feel as lucky as we do!

From Barbara:

Heather was our doula for the birth of our first child. At the encouragement of our birthing class instructor, my husband and I interviewed several doula candidates before deciding on one. Once we met Heather, we just knew she was the person we wanted in the room with us when our son was born. She was warm, confident, and non-intimidating and we felt comfortable with her at once and throughout every moment of our birthing experience.

Heather supported me as I labored at home in the tub, taught my husband how to help me with hip presses, and was physically there with me during each contraction. I never felt alone. My birth did not go exactly as planned and having Heather to rely on helped me feel unafraid. Her expertise was invaluable to us as first time parents.

She was so wonderful during our hospital birth that my doctor asked for her ard so she could refer other patients to Heather! The birth of a child is so special and I would not hesitate to share that experience with Heather again.

Immediate Postpartum Doula Care

This is a unique and very valuable service offered from Birthing Your Way. Immediately after the birth, a trained midwife or doula can offer Immediate Postpartum Doula Care to you and your baby.

This doula or midwife can stay up to 8 hours after the birth to observe both mother and baby, help mother,  make a meal, and help with breastfeeding.

This service can be helpful for any new mother but we feel in can be particularly helpful to those moms who have had long, hard, or complicated labors or births at home. This allows the family to rest, and have someone to care for them after the adrenaline wears off.

This doula can also provide reassurance by answering questions after the couple has been able to sleep on anything from is this amount of bleeding ok to is the baby suppose to nurse this long.

The rate is $20 per hour with a 3 hour minimum. We are available all times of the day and night.

Postpartum Doula Services

After a baby is born most new mothers and fathers can use the additional support of a Postpartum doula. As a postpartum doula I want to help make this time an easier one for new mothers.

Motherhood is a huge change in your life and the adjustment period feels less overwhelming when you have someone to help with your questions and concerns. it is for this reason that a new mother and her partner want the help that a Postpartum Doula can offer.

Many peoples mothers and extended family members are not always available to help, and even if they are available, some mothers and family members do not have the breastfeeding experience to support a new nursing mother. Most postpartum doulas give breastfeeding support along with newborn care tips, and take care of necessary household tasks. This can help to ease your transition into motherhood.

Doulas are flexible to the needs of each family. They are there to encourage and teach families to care for their own newborn. They help mothers and fathers to trust their instincts in meeting their baby’s needs.

Postpartum Doula Services for the Mother and Baby Include:

• Breastfeeding education and support
• Advice on basic newborn care including feeding, bathing, infant massage, soothing, swaddling, safety issues, dressing, diapering and anything else that you need help with, etc…

Postpartum Doula Services for the Family Include:

• Errand running
• Meal planning & preparation
• Emotional support during your transition into parenthood
• Care & activities for siblings
• Grocery shopping
• Doing the dishes

In order to receive postpartum doula services, the family must have an initial meeting with the doula, and a second planing meeting before the birth.

Availability:

The postpartum doula is available for up to 12 hours a day with a 3 hour minimum during the day.

Fees are $20 to $30 an hour depending on the duties requested and number of children. A $100 deposit is due at the time of the planning meeting. This fee is a nonrefundable retainer applied to your contract.

Doula services must be paid for at the end of each week or upon completion of the contract, whichever comes first.

For those further than a 20 minute distance, a $2 an hour fee is applied for gas and travel time.

 From Amy:

What I especially like about Heather is that she was very helpful, but not intimidating. I never felt like she was judging me when I expressed doubts or concerns about how to do something.She also made an effort to focus on me, the mother, which I believe was crucial to getting me back in the swing-of-things after childbirth.

I am sure our experience wouldn’t have been so smooth if it hadn’t been for Heather’s calming and educated presence. We certainly hope to use her again if another baby comes along, and I happily recommend her to anyone I know who asks about using a postpartum doula!

Ten months later, my husband and I still talk about how much we loved Heather!

Breastfeeding Help

I am available to assist the mother with just breastfeeding and/or pumping and storing her milk. This is $20 an hr with a 2 hour minimum.

Limitations of Doula Practice:

• I do not diagnose medical conditions in the mother or the baby but will refer you to a health care provider when appropriate.
• I am not a lactation consultant but have taken two advanced courses in breastfeeding and have breastfed my own infants. I will refer you to a lactation consultant as appropriate.

Payment Options

Payment plans are available as well as barter or exchange. Things that have been offered are:

• Cooking
• Babysitting
• Filing
• Scrapbooking
• Yard and house repairs

Doula is from the Greek referring to a woman who helps other women.

A doula fulfills that meaning and then some–she is someone who helps women during labor and birth through massage, relaxation, positioning and breathing.

A doula also helps families learn about information to help them to have a better birth experience. Doulas help to create an environment of safety for the mother so that she can allow her body to relax and work without feeling tense and threatened.

A doula is not at the birth to function as a medical adviser. She is working only for you as a wonderful, objective support and advocate.

What are the benefits of having a doula?

• Shorter labor of about 25-50%
• Decrease the chance of c-section by up to 50%
• Decrease the need for pain medication by 30-60%
• Help Fathers to participate with confidence
• Increased success in breastfeeding
• Greater satisfaction about the birth
• Decrease the use of forceps by 40%
• Reduce the use of Pitocin

This enables you, the mom -to-be, to stay home as long as you would like without going to the hospital only to have them send you home telling you to come back at a later time.

As a monitrice I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and as needed facilitate communication between you and the birthing staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor.

I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed. As your monitrice, I work for you, and not your caregiver or hospital.

Meeting the Monitrice:

I prefer to meet with you and your partner once or twice before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, and plan how we might best work together.

This first meeting does not obligate you to use my services, but if you select me, then I will want to become familiar with your birth plan, including your preferences regarding pain management options and the use of medications.

I also want to know your own best way of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your partner foresee working together and with me. I will also inform you of times when we are unavailable for labor support.

I will want to remain in contact by phone as to how your pregnancy is progressing and any pertinent updates.

• I will be on call 24 hours a day 3 weeks before your due date until your baby is born.
• I will be available for you to call me with questions before and after the birth.
• You will have availability to my library of pregnancy and childbirth books and articles.
• I will complete prenatal visits as time permits.
• I will complete one postpartum visit as you request.
• I or my back-up will remain with you throughout labor and birth.

After the birth:

I usually remain with you for an hour after the birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. I can also help with breastfeeding, if necessary.

I am available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth or your baby. Remember, for medical advice contact your doctor or midwife.

Limitations of a Monitrice:

• As a monitrice, I do perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure checks, fetal heart tones, cervical exams and other such duties. I am limited in what I provide as a Monitrice and will inform you of this f the need arises.
• As a monitrice, I do not deliver babies; we provide emotional and physical support as well as the services listed above for you during labor.
• As a monitrice, I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need from your doctor/midwife and nurses so that you can make an informed decision. I will also remind you when you or others stray from your birthplan, but this too is your decision. I am here to support you.
• I can in no way guarantee the outcome of your birth, variations in birth may occur, I am not responsible for these, but will do my best to help you with these variations.

Birthing Your Way offers a Deluxe Monitrice Package that includes the following:

Deluxe Monitrice Package $800

• Two prenatals
• Massage in our office
• Two postpartum visits (one of which is a massage)
• Special gift pack for mom and baby
• Join you once you are in active labor
• Monitoring of fetal heart tones, vaginal exams, blood pressure checks
• Use of our library of books and videos
• Discount on childbirth classes
• Childbirth Book