what is a prenatal planning?
Prenatal planning includes everything from your hospital bag to newborn baby care. There is so much information that parents need but aren’t getting, and that’s where I come in.
how does it work?
First, you book your meeting. Then you complete a Prenatal Intake Form, so I can learn more about you.
We meet (virtually or in-person.) You’ll learn about birth and the early days and weeks with your baby as well as how to prepare your mind, body, family, and home for a new baby.
what do we plan for in the meetings?
birth
we create a list of your birth preferences and learn all of the ways you can make your birth unique for you from your hospital bag to how your baby is born. we discuss advocating for yourself / your partner. I provide evidence-based information about topics you have questions on.
physical healing
we’ll discuss the normal postpartum physical symptoms, how to heal, and who should be on your physical healing team. you’ll learn about what you can prepare now to make the process smoother.
parents / caretakers
we spend a lot of time discussing your goals and expectations for yourselves and your baby, such as feeding, housework, money, and parenting. I give you many tools and resources to have essential in-depth conversations about your own experiences and how you want this next stage of life to look and feel.
mental healing
I will give you evidence-based information about maternal / paternal mental health. You’ll learn the signs of baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other ways your mental health needs extra love after baby is born. we’ll create a check-in plan, find local resources, and assemble your support team.
baby
you’ll learn about normal newborn behavior, basic newborn care, feeding, healthy sleep habits, baby wearing, and more. we’ll discuss the difference between a routine and a schedule and how to have realistic expectations for yourself and your baby.
support system.
along with evidence-based information, here is the most important part of a prenatal meeting. we craft the perfect support system for you. this will include meals, physical care, care for older children if you have any, care for baby so that you can regularly shower or have time to process this profound change in your life.
How much does the prenatal planning meeting cost?
For clients that want to focus on postpartum recovery and newborn care, pre-natal planning is a three-hour meeting. This is a great option if you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused and would like realistic, evidence-based information. The investment is $350, and there is a discount for long-term postpartum clients and groups.
For clients that want private childbirth education, we can meet for four hours; this meeting will cover labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum with time to work on your own birth preferences. This investment is $400, and there is a discount for long-term postpartum clients and groups.
how many prenatal meetings do we need?
That depends on your situation and how much support you’d like from me. Some of my clients prefer to have one prenatal meeting. Others want to feel extra prepared and have everything done quickly, so they prefer my VIP intensive, Ready for Baby in a Day! Other clients know from the start that they’d like to hire me as a doula, so we have a long relationship. There is no “right” answer; it is what’s best for you and your baby.