Visitation Doula Services
Maumee, OH
Get in touch
About Visitation Doula Services
Bio
I began my health career as a pediatric nurse before raising a large family. My first carefully planned for natural hospital birth ended in a cesarean and a bumpy start with breastfeeding. I subsequently had six VBAC’s and positive lactation journeys. I want ALL families to have satisfying childbearing experiences including the 4th trimester. I have had the privilege of helping after the births of most of my grandchildren, living across the country, and understand the needs of today’s parents.
Q&A
Q: What are your certifications and trainings?
A: Gift Registry Advocate, Lifespan Certified Birth Doula, DONA Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, RN, BSN, Spinning Babies training workshop, AHA CPR certified, certified La Leche League Leader, Catholic Nursing Mothers League mentor, ServSafe food course, homeschool co-op educator
Q: What locations or areas do you serve?
A: I serve NW Ohio and some of SE Michigan, within a 60 mile radius of my Maumee home, which is near Toledo, Ohio.
Q: How much experience do you have?
A: I have been an RN since 1981, a mother since 1985, a grandmother since 2017, and a doula since 2017. I became a childbirth activist, infant massage instructor, and La Leche League Leader in the late 1980’s. I have been doing professional organizing for families since 2017. I have taught in a homeschool co-op since 2014. Gift Registry Advocate 2024
Q: Are there any specialities in who you serve? (e.g. home birth, VBAC, etc.)
A: I have served various kinds of families but feel well-equipped to support clients desiring a physiologic birth, a VBAC, a home birth, and a waterbirth. I have long term experience with breastfeeding and attachment parenting. I am comfortable incorporating Christian spiritual care with my client families, if desired. I am a cook and an organizer.
Q: What drew you into working with parents-to-be?
A: As a young mother, I was well-served by midwives, childbirth activists, chiropractors, and La Leche League Leaders (breastfeeding support group). As an empty-nester, I now have the time, energy, wisdom, experience, and long term perspective to give back by investing in the current generation of childbearing families. Hoping for many joyful births!
Comprehensive Birth Doula Services
Birth Doulas
Description
I am a certified birth doula with additional credentials to provide a full service experience for your entire childbearing year. After a FREE phone chat and/or meet and greet, I will visit you in your home twice before your birth to help you plan for your experience. I will then be on-call for you 24/7 for up to four weeks, provide continuous labor/birth support, then stay for your initial recovery. I will follow up with a postpartum home visit.
Pricing Description
Birth Doula Package, $800, includes one FREE meet & greet, two in-home prenatal visits, up to four weeks of 24/7 on-call services, continuous labor, birth, and recovery support, and one in-home postpartum follow up visit. Additional services are available at an hourly rate of $25/hour, e.g., advanced birth planning, accompanying you to a provider visit, lactation prep, registry coaching/nesting services, freezer meal cooking, postpartum services.
Your 4th Trimester Laundry Lady
Laundry Help
Description
Do you just need help staying on top of your laundry while you recover from childbirth? While a popular part of my standard postpartum services, I can also pop in to your home for laundry-only services at the same hourly rate. I sort by color and type of laundry, wash, dry, fold, hang on hangers, and sew on loose buttons. I can also come over prenatally to wash your baby's shower gifts or hand-me-down clothing, then organize them in your "nest."
Pricing Description
As part of a postpartum doula package, standard rate of $25/hour applies. Laundry services can also be a stand alone in-home service, with a 4 hour minimum shift per visit. I can also pick up or drop off your dry cleaning.
Postpartum Doula Services
Postpartum Doulas
Description
I am a DONA certified postpartum doula and also offer prenatal planning services. I am a former pediatric nurse, mother of a large family, and grandmother of many. I am also a Certified Lactation Counselor and Certified Educator of Infant Massage. I am a skilled whole foods cook and can help get dinner on the table, or make freezer meals in your kitchen. I do whatever you need to give you peace as you recover, bond with, and feed your new baby.
Pricing Description
My hourly rate is $25, paid weekly by check or cash. Minimum contract is $500 (20 hours) which may be spread out over weeks.. $100 retainer fee holds your due date and pays for the last 4 hours of service. I work between 7 AM-7 PM. Minimum shift is 4 hours, maximum shift is 8 hours. I can run your errands on shift. I can meet you at appointments in my own car. An adult must be present in the home if a child is on premises while I work.
Cloth Diapering Coach
Diapers
Description
I cloth diapered seven children for many years and was thrilled to save money and keep paper and plastic diapers and human waste out of the landfills. I can help you clarify your goals for full or part time cloth diapering, then assist you in selecting products, within your budget, that will simplify rather than complicate your busy life. I can offer advice on laundering diapers and covers. Toilet learning products can be discussed as needed.
Pricing Description
$25/hour as part of birth or postpartum doula services, or can be a stand alone in-home consultation for a $50 minimum.
Gift Registry Advocate/Consultant
Gift Registry Consults
Description
I have taken an advanced Gift Registry Advocate course and am ready to save you much time and money by visiting you at home to learn about your family's unique situation, needs, and preferences. Then we can craft a registry which includes the items that will truly serve your needs rather than clutter your environment. If you have already begun an online registry, I can do an audit and help you to edit it. Let’s get started before your showers!
Pricing Description
When part of a birth or postpartum doula contract, this can be an add-on service for $25/hour. As a stand alone service, the cost is $35/hour, but can save you so much money in the long run because I can help you customize your wishlist in the least wasteful, most economical way to meet the needs of your unique family situation. A well-selected array of items for baby (and mother) can pave the way to a smoother, more confident 4th trimester.
Your Nesting/Organizing Doula
Organizing
Description
Often an aspect of my work as a prenatal/postpartum doula, I offer nesting for baby, and small-medium sized professional organizing project help. Our family of nine lived and homeschooled in a smaller home, so I learned through hard work and lots of reading how to streamline for a busy lifestyle. I have done nursery, closet, toy room, pantry, refrigerator, kitchen cabinet, and grow-into clothing projects. I can drop off your donations afterwards.
Pricing Description
When integrated into a doula contract, price is $25/hr. with a 4 hour minimum shift. As a stand alone service, somewhat higher rate may be needed based on complexity of the project. Free bid offered. I am not equipped to offer help with very large projects, or hoarding issues, but can make referrals to my local professional organizers group.
Infant Massage Instruction for Parents
Newborn Care Classes
Description
I have been offering private, in-home infant massage instruction to parents since the late 1980’s. Expectant families can learn in advance on a realistic doll. Course includes 2-3 home visits, hand-outs, and a small container of oil. Infant massage promotes bonding, helps baby to relax, and may address fussiness and digestive issues. Reconnecting with massage after work is helpful for employed parents. Learn more at www.infantmassageusa.org.
Pricing Description
$100 includes private instruction, handouts, and a small container of oil, paid at the first session. An infant massage manual is also available for a nominal charge.
