MTM
Doula
Who is a Doula?
/ˈdo͞olə/ a woman employed to provide guidance and support to the mother through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
Why a Doula?
When a woman is traversing the journey of birth she may want physical and emotional support in preparation, during, and after birth. These supports are in the form of hands on pain relief techniques, verbal affirmation, encouragements, educational coaching, and listening to mom and dad concerning their questions, concerns, and needs.
The Doula supports both parents as needed in their birth goals. She helps teach a couple self advocacy and autonomy in the birth setting. She walks with mom, holding space for the mother as she births and discovers/exhibits strength and courage.
Post birth a doula may provide comfort, conversation, and support in running the home during the fourth trimester.
What are the benefits of a Doula?
Reduced use of Pitocin - Fewer requests for pain meds - Less likely to need forceps and vacuum - Reduced likelyhood of CESAREAN birth - Better apgar scores for baby - Greater satisfaction with birth experience - More positive long term memories - Decreased anxiety - Boosted self esteem - Improved post partum mental health - Increased family bonding
(including partners and siblings) - Increased movement - Lactation support - Comfort and reassurance - Improved relaxation
Is a Doula for mom only?
A doula supports both the woman and her husband or partner while they navigate the birth experience. For first time parents this is especially beneficial as, this is after all a first time experience for both mom and dad. A doula can reassure dad of what is normal, support him in the birth experience, and coach him as how to best serve and support his partner. Whether first time parents or parents birthing for a second or multiple time, a Doula can help with achieving birth goals--natural birth, VBAC, working with new birth settings, or overcoming previous traumatic experiences. The doula provides the additional support of rest and offers an extra team hand so neither feels alone in their birth experience.
MTM Doula Services supports mom in hospital, birth center, and homebirth settings.
MTM also supports mom in natural birth, VBAC, VBAmC, and cesarean birth.
Serving the following areas and in between:
Winchester, VA; Leesburg, VA; Warrenton, VA; Manassas, VA; Centerville, VA; Middletown, VA
Charlestown, WV; Inwood, WV; Eastern Hardy & Hampshire Counties, WV.
Supporting moms at these Birth Centers:
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The Cornelia Birthing Cottage (Middletown, VA)
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Premiere Birth Center (Winchester or Chantilly)
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Brookhaven Midwifery & Natural Birth Center (Harrisonburg, VA)
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Marshall Midwifery & Birth Center (Marshall, VA)
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Bell Grove Birth Center (Middletown, VA)
Supporting moms at the following hospitals:
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Winchester Medical Center
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INOVA Fair Oaks
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INOVA Loudon
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INOVA Fairfax
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UVA Health
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Fauquier Health
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Reston Hospital
If you need help finding a provider that best fits you and your birth circumstance and desires, please reach out to consult with MTM over recommended providers.
Serving Clients as Their Doula
The words that describe me as a Doula:
Passionate. My personal experience, journey, and years of research have created a passion for birth within me.
Energized. The experience of supporting moms in birth energizes me. It is a privilege to walk along side a mother towards birth, and walk with her through that birth to a triumphant end.
Servant. My callings are in the fields of service--massage therapist, doula, and teacher. I genuinely enjoy caring and serving women and families.
My experience:
I have personally experienced the trials, hardships, success, and joys of birth. As a doula I have supported moms in some incredible birth experiences, and shared their joys and triumphs. I have witnessed and supported in some amazing overcoming births, including VBA2C and VBA4C. I have a strong desire to support moms who desire VBAC and VBAmC in healthy normal birth.
What I offer as a Doula:
As a doula I bring my experience, training, and my giftings to the table to support and walk beside mom and dad, in one of the most defining moments of a mother's life, the birth of her child.
MTM offers three different packages with a variety of amenities: Birth Support, Lactation Support, Educational Support, Emotional Supports, Encouragement, In-home Visits, Massage, Birth photos, Blessings Ways, and Post-Partum Care in the fourth trimester. MTM also offers a few packages to at-risk moms or teen moms for a nominal fee. If you know of a mom in need please reach out.
The Doula role is relational and built on getting to know each other as well as possible before birth. The best way to determine a good fit with your doula is to begin with a consultation. Face to face consults provide a greater chance to connect, but beginning with a pre-consultation by phone will help you get to know your doula if you can not schedule a face to face immediately.
The first step to working with myself as your Doula is a phone conversation. If you would like to take the next step, Please call or text 540 481 7210.
I am delighted to consult with you, and see if I am the right fit for your birth journey. I look forward to serving you soon!
Packages
Signature
Birth Support with All Amenities
Augeo
Birth Support with Most Amenities
Incipere
Birth Support with Some Amenities
All packages include: Consultation fee waived, birth planning session, Childbirth education, Lactation education, Four weeks of on call support, 2-4 hours of post birth support, 2 visits before birth, and 2 visits post birth.
Additional Amenities:
Massage Services are included in the Augeo and Signature packages. Additional massage services for pregnancy or postpartum can be added to any package. Additional postpartum visits are included in the Signature package.
Light birth photography, of 5-8 images are offered in the Signature package. If desired raw birth photography footage is available in all packages.
Starting June 2024, packages will include a childbirth education class. As part of each MTM packages The Building Bonds Through Baby and Birth Partner class will be apart of all MTM packages.
This comprehensive class encourages partner bonding and assists mom and her birthing partner with how to prepare for birth during pregnancy and how to manage labor well. Covered in the course are birth positions and birth position theory, yoga and stretching positions for comfort and positioning baby well, the use of hydrotherapy, acupressure points for labor, exposure to therapeutic relaxation and how to use breathing, visualization, and verbal affirmations and speech. Current classes are held at The Cornelia Birthing Cottage(Grace Midwifery) and taught by Crowning Birth and Ministering Touch Massage and Doula.
At the time of consultation each package will be reviewed and which best suits your birthing needs can be discussed. For last minute bookings or unique situations we can discuss A La Carte services.
The Strosniders
My husband and I met Christine through her massage services. Her personality made us feel at ease and the massage was wonderful. When we found out we were pregnant, we connected with her as our doula. Our pregnancy and natural home birth would not have been the same without her support, wisdom, and prayers. She spoke so much life into our birth plan, always encouraging us. Both myself and my husband felt supported by her during and after our son's birth in ways we couldn't have imagined. She is truly gifted in many ways. We're so thankful that Christine is part of this new chapter for our family. We highly recommend both her massage and doula services.
The Cohens
Our midwife suggested Christine to be our Doula. We found her knowledge to be super helpful in navigating some of the circumstances of our pregnancy. She helped us with positioning through birth, prayed with us at difficult moments, and firmly supported me in my goal of natural birth. I felt cared for and supported in my VBAC just as I had wanted to be. I definitely recommend her for your birth.
The Francis
If you’re pregnant and looking for a doula, I highly recommend Christine at MTM Doula. Whether you’re looking to birth at home or the hospital, go naturally or have an epidural, or have a C section, she’s there supporting you every step of the way. Having her knowledge, calming presence, emotional support, and frequent gentle massage made by birth experience much more enjoyable for my husband and I. We couldn’t be more grateful for her support!