Prenatal: For the Expectant Mother, Her Husband/Partner and Family
This is the time when you learn how to take the best care of your changing body and to understand how to make the best choices for yourself, the well-being of your growing baby, and family. We know the value of educated choices and work to provide you with information you need about what to expect during and after your pregnancy.
We offer:
Consultations with you and your husband/partner on the benefits of working with a doula, your birth preferences, labor and delivery options, preparation of a birth plan
In-home prenatal visits for Birthing Hands doula clients
Classes on: pregnancy and birth preparation; breastfeeding; comfort techniques, relaxation and other techniques to prepare for labor and to ease discomfort
Advice, support and referrals to prepare you for the physical, mental, and emotional adjustments of pregnancy
Labor and Birth
We understand the need to include all family members so that the birth experience is memorable and becomes the miraculous moment that you and your baby deserve. Birthing Hands provides its experienced labor doulas and birth assistants to support you in the birth you and your family have chosen.
We offer:
Physical support through the use of various positions, breathing, massage, acupressure, rebozo and other comfort and relaxation techniques
Emotional support through nurturing and praise
Factual information to help you better understand your baby's journey, your body's response and how to clearly express your wishes and decisions to birthing professionals, medical staff and family members
Assistance with initial breastfeeding and bonding
Postpartum and Motherhood
The baby's arrival marks a shift in the normal household routine and family relationships. Birthing care continues to support the new mother, the newborn and family members.
We offer:
In-home postpartum home visit for Birthing Hands doula clients
Classes on: parenting skills, child safety and infant care
In-home lactation consultations and consultations on other postpartum issues
In-home postpartum and infant massage
Postpartum assistance and care
Advice, support and referrals to help rejuvenate the new mother's physical, mental and emotional health
Consider a Birthing Hands custom herbal sitz bath blend postpartum
An herbal sitz bath is one of the most wonderful and healing things you can do for yourself to aid your healing after giving birth. It is important to have a good herbal sitz bath recipe.
A sitz bath is a small, shallow bath that you sit in to soothe your tired, swollen, stretched muscles and tissues in your bottom after giving birth. It is also good for healing perineal tears and reducing hemorrhoids. You can either use a small basin or plastic tub placed in the bathtub that you squat into, or you can fill the tub with just enough warm water and the sitz bath formula to cover your bottom. Our custom herbal blends contain herbs such as: calendula, comfrey leaves, ginger, lavender, plantain leaves, shepherd’s purse, witch hazel leaves, uva ursi and yarrow. No minerals are added to this bath.
An 8 ounce mixture, with a large tea bag is $15.00. Please email Claudia for details or call (202) 236-1764.
