Since I was very young, I have always been moved by the incredible ability of a woman’s body to bring another life into the world. To me, birth is a very sacred experience and should be protected. Giving birth is not something a woman learns to do. Rather, it comes from within. It is instinctual. Women of all ages and from all walks of life, whether they birth with the support of partner or not, and no matter how or where they give birth or enter motherhood – be it at home, at a hospital, in a birthing center, or elsewhere will be impacted by the important and life-changing experience of childbirth.

My goal as a doula is to help you have a positive birth experience by supporting the choices you have made for your labor and birth to help you have the birth you desire. Every woman’s vision for their labor and childbirth differs. No matter what your vision may be, as a doula, I am there to unconditionally support you as you journey toward motherhood.

My current rate for my doula support is $600-$700 and all-inclusive. I am open to discussing payment options if you decide that you would like my support as your doula but are in need of financial assistance. You are welcome to contact me for an initial consultation at no charge to meet me and see if we will work well together.

When you hire me as your doula, my services include the following:

• Prenatal Support

Prenatal meetings (often 2-3 meetings) where we discuss the scope of my practice as your labor and childbirth doula, your visions for your labor and birth, and get to know each other. I will also answer any questions you may have about labor, birth, breastfeeding, infant care, or postpartum care and support during these meetings.

Provide or lend books/dvds for you to read/watch about pregnancy, birth, comfort measures, maternal care, nutrition, breastfeeding, or other topics that are of interest to you

Assist you in the creation of your birth plan, and provide you with sound and cited information to help you make informed choices about your desires for labor and birth

Instruct and help you practice comfort measures such as massage, counter-pressure, and position changes that provide comfort during labor

Availability via phone or email throughout your pregnancy to discuss questions that arise or any concerns you may have about your pregnancy

Arrangement of back-up doula services if needed

On-call support 24/7 during the 2 weeks prior to your baby’s anticipated arrival

• Support During Labor and Childbirth

Continuous physical and emotional support when you determine you need my presence during labor at home, the hospital, birthing center, or wherever you choose to labor until after the birth of your baby. I am there for you and with you throughout your entire labor and birth experience.

Maintaining the birthing environment and ambiance you have chosen

Ensuring you have the information you need about the risks and benefits of new choices presented to you during labor or birth, if the need arises

Providing noninvasive comfort measures such as massage and counter-pressure along with the suggestion of position changes to help you cope with labor

• Postpartum Support

Assistance with breastfeeding if needed, remaining with you until your baby begins to feed and a latch is established

I will remain with you until after the birth and recovery begins if birthing at home or until you are settled in a postpartum room if birthing in a hospital.

Availability via phone or email after your pregnancy to answer any questions you may have about breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum care, or other concerns you may have. If you need further assistance, I can connect you with other trained and experienced professionals in the community that can assist you further.

2-3 postpartum visits, usually one 1-2 days postpartum and also 1-2 weeks postpartum. The purpose of following-up after your birth is to discuss your experience, share our perspectives of your labor and birth, ensure you have the established postpartum support you need or access to information about additional postpartum support in our community, and receive any feedback you may have for me about my support as a doula.

I am a trained childbirth and labor doula through toLabor and also DONA International and provide support for women in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the surrounding Cape Fear area. I have experience supporting women during natural births, elective induction, unplanned cesarean section, women without a supportive partner present, and plus-size women. My role as a doula is not a substitute for the mother’s primary support, rather an addition to her birth experience, helping her have the birth she desires. I am available for prenatal, antenatal, and postpartum support for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, new parents with an adopted or fostered newborn, single parents, teen mothers, same-sex partnerships, surrogates, and others wanting support.

I consider it an honor to help women from all walks of life prepare to and then enter the world of motherhood, and I look forward to supporting you! If you are interested in my services as a doula, you are welcome to contact me at candace [at] birthherway [dot] com, call 910.233.7989, or, use the form here.

• Member of Cape Fear Area Doulas
• Member of the Patient Family Advisory Council at Betty Cameron Women & Children’s Hospital (@ New Hanover Regional Medical Center)
• Currently in training – Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
• Member of the BirthNetwork National