Birth Support
Birth Support
“Life, love, and purpose are threads of the same cloth — we’re just learning how to weave them.”
Birth support begins with getting to know you. Your questions, your hopes, what helps you feel comfortable, and what you want your support people to understand.
I offer birth doula support for families in Manistee and surrounding Northern Michigan communities. My approach includes time to prepare during pregnancy, support through labor and birth, and practical help afterward.
For families who want substantial preparation, a familiar presence during birth, and continued support at home.
Four hours of private childbirth education
Two two-hour sessions covering the birth process, common options and interventions, comfort measures, partner support, and preparation for postpartum.
Three personalized 90-minute prenatal visits
Time to build trust, explore your concerns, practice hands-on support, develop flexible birth preferences, and make a practical postpartum plan.
That’s 8½ hours of prenatal education and preparation, with your partner or support people welcome to participate.
On-call availability from 36 weeks until birth.
Emotional, physical, and informational support during labor and birth.
Comfort measures, movement, positioning, and partner guidance.
Support as you ask questions and communicate your preferences.
Up to two hours of immediate postpartum support as you settle in after birth.
Before booking, we’ll discuss how to contact me, when in-person support begins, arrangements for labor before 36 weeks, and backup or relief coverage.
Three three-hour postpartum home visits—nine hours total.
Visits are planned together around your needs and my availability. Support may include:
Time for you to rest, shower, or eat.
Basic newborn-care education and reassurance.
Basic breast/chestfeeding or bottle-feeding assistance.
Simple meal preparation and light household tasks.
Space to talk about your birth and adjustment to parenting.
Help finding additional community or professional support.
Feeding concerns beyond basic assistance are referred to an IBCLC or the appropriate healthcare professional. If your baby remains in the hospital or your circumstances change, we’ll discuss how visits can best support you.
Routine questions related to your preparation and early postpartum adjustment are welcome by text or email, with responses within one business day. Time-sensitive labor communication follows the on-call arrangements in your agreement.
Comprehensive Birth Support — $2,500
Includes 8½ hours of prenatal preparation, on-call labor and birth support from 36 weeks, immediate postpartum support, and nine hours of postpartum home visits. Payment plans available.
For families who have already completed childbirth preparation and want fewer scheduled visits.
Includes:
One two-hour prenatal visit to discuss your preferences, practice comfort measures, and plan how we’ll work together.
On-call availability from 36 weeks until birth.
Labor and birth support, including comfort measures, partner guidance, and emotional and informational support.
Up to two hours of immediate postpartum support.
One two-hour postpartum home visit.
This option is available following a conversation about your preparation and support needs. We’ll review any childbirth education you’ve completed and decide whether one prenatal visit gives us enough time to prepare together.
Before booking, we’ll discuss how to contact me, when in-person support begins, arrangements for labor before 36 weeks, and backup or relief coverage.
Focused Birth Support — $1,800
Includes prenatal preparation, on-call labor and birth support from 36 weeks, immediate postpartum support, and a postpartum home visit. Payment plans available.
Our work together starts before labor. Prenatal preparation helps us build trust, understand your preferences, involve your support people, and practice tools you can use during birth.
Participation matters; agreement with a particular birth philosophy is never required. Whether you’re planning a physiological birth, choosing an epidural, or preparing for an induction or cesarean, we’ll prepare thoughtfully around your preferences and discuss how to navigate changes if they arise.
If you’re reaching out later in pregnancy, contact me. We’ll discuss whether there’s enough time to prepare together and which support option fits.
Your partner knows you in ways I don’t. I bring knowledge of birth and practical ways to support you. We can put those strengths together.
During pregnancy, we’ll explore what feels helpful to you. During labor, I can offer guidance, reassurance, and another set of hands so your partner can stay connected and involved.
What helps during one contraction might be the last thing you want during the next. I ask before touching, respect your boundaries, and adapt as your needs change.
Sometimes support is counterpressure or a change of position. Sometimes it’s helping you ask a question, making the room quieter, or simply staying close.
When plans change, your need for support continues. I’ll help you make space for information, questions, and your own voice. Support during procedures, in the operating room, or in recovery depends on the circumstances and facility policies.
My approach is trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming. Your name, pronouns, relationships, cultural traditions, and preferred language matter.
You do not need to disclose a trauma history to have your boundaries honored. We can discuss what helps you feel comfortable and how you want to be supported.
Miscarriage, stillbirth, and the death of a newborn deserve compassionate, individualized support. You do not need to find the right words or know what help to ask for before reaching out.
If loss occurs while we’re working together, we’ll talk about how you would like me involved. Support may include a steady presence, help preparing questions for your healthcare team, practical comfort, and space for your chosen family, cultural traditions, or spiritual practices.
There is no expectation to feel a certain way, make meaning of what happened, or move through grief on anyone else’s timeline.
My support is nonmedical and does not replace bereavement counseling or clinical care. When additional expertise would help, I can assist you in finding appropriate resources.
If you are seeking support specifically for pregnancy or infant loss, please contact me to discuss your needs, my availability, and what I can offer. Services and any fees will be discussed before you commit.
Travel
Travel within 30 driving miles of Wellston is included. We’ll review your home and planned birth location before booking. Any additional travel fees will be agreed upon in advance.
Payment plans
Installments are available to spread payments across pregnancy. Your agreement will explain payment dates, cancellation and refund terms, arrangements if pregnancy ends before the on-call period, and backup or relief coverage.
Additional postpartum support
Please see page titled "Postpartum Support."
I bring experience as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and psychiatric care, along with DONA birth doula training, Spinning Babies® education, and ongoing nurse-midwifery and lactation study.
When hired as your doula, I provide nonmedical physical, emotional, and informational support. I do not perform clinical assessments, monitor you or your baby, diagnose conditions, or direct medical treatment.
Your maternity team remains responsible for clinical care. Decisions about your care belong to you.
This conversation gives us a chance to meet and discuss your support needs, my approach, availability, package options, and whether we’re a good fit.
The meet & greet does not include individualized education or research review. Those are provided through booked packages or separate paid education sessions.
Email themanisteedoula@gmail.com with:
Your estimated due date, if applicable.
Your town and planned birth location, if known.
A little about the support you’re looking for.
A few times you’re available to talk, including your time zone.
We’ll agree on a time by email.
Email to Arrange Your Free Meet & Greet