Willow Birth and Postpartum Doula

02/12/2026

United healthcare has now started to cover doula services! Check with your insurance to see if you qualify! This is so exciting!

02/08/2026

True informed consent in birth matters. When giving birth, people deserve autonomy and the ability to be an active participant in decision-making.

Without TRUE informed consent, you cannot be an active participant in making decisions.

Informed consent looks like:

✅️ Being told why something is recommended

✅️ True evidence-based information about benefits and risks

✅️ Information about alternatives

✅️ Respectful discussion without coercion so you can truly consent or decline

Even during emergencies, people deserve accurate information about why things are recommended or happening.

When choosing your midwife or OB, it's important to find someone who practices true informed consent.

Did you feel heard during your births?

02/08/2026

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

01/26/2026

Good info!

01/26/2026

Doulas support all births, including medicated births. An epidural is one of the most common birth interventions in the US.

It's important to make fully informed decisions about your birth. Learning about the benefits and risks of varying interventions BEFORE labor can help you stay calm, remember your options, and make decisions you are comfortable with.

No intervention is inherently good or bad. However, we can have negative birth experiences when we feel pressured or we are unaware of what to expect.

An epidural provides significant pain relief for most people. There's brief discomfort, some describe it as pain, when the back is numbed so the needle and then catheter can be placed. You will feel pressure but you should not feel pain when it is being placed.

After it is placed, you'll typically be instructed to lay flat, or mostly flat, to allow the medication to evenly dispurse to provide as effective relief as possible. Some people have absolutely no feeling in their legs, while others have some feeling and movement control.

Once an epidural is placed, you're typically confined to bed even if you have some feeling. This is to prevent falling. However, in the bed you should still have frequent position changes to help with dilation and baby descended. Gravity and an open pelvis are your friends.

Because of reduced feeling, most require a catheter to empty the bladder.

Occasionally, mom's BP dropping from an epidural can cause fetal distress.

Why have a doula if you plan to have an epidural birth?

Nearly everyone labors before they're able to get an epidural. In many situations, you're not admitted until 4-6cms. Even once admitted, it might take time to get your room, get an IV bolus, and have an available anesthesiologist. It's also ideal to labor upright and moving as long as you're able even when an epidural is in your birth plan.

A doula aids with comfort techniques, partner support, and encouragement. Once you have an epidural, they aid in position changes, support as you navigate birth options, support during pushing, and the immediate postpartum period.

01/16/2026

If you have Soonercare/Soonerselect you could qualify for doula services in a hospital or birth center at no cost to you. Please message me for more details 🥰

01/09/2026

I love that I have added birth photography to my list of services. Being able to capture these moments for families has been truly special. I am offering a super discounted rate right now since I am still learning 😊 Please send me a message with any questions.

01/07/2026

01/04/2026

Did you know that September has the most birthdays?? Congratulations if you have just found out you’re expecting! It is never too early to book a consult with a doula. Book with me at Balance Birth Center.

https://balancedoulas.youcanbook.me/

12/16/2025

Sneak peak from the last weekends birth! I think I am starting to really get a feel for it. I am still offering discounted rates for birth photos. Message me if interested 😊