BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES


I have had the honor and privilege of working as a birth doula in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2007.  I was called to this work while studying Health Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz. While in college, I sought after every piece of information I could find that had to do with reproductive justice, women's health and the transformative experience of birth. After reading books like ‘The Red Tent’, ‘Heart and Hands’ and ‘Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty”, I decided to enroll in the Doulas of North America (DONA) doula training because I felt a calling towards holding space for birthing people, so that they could feel seen, heard and safe.

Since completing my doula training, I have been working in the field ever since and I am constantly inspired by pregnant people and families who feel empowered and educated during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys.  I not only bring my experience of attending over 550 births to your care, but also my training as a homebirth midwife, bodyworker, childbirth educator and birth photographer.  

I currently have a solo doula practice and specialize in preparing couples for a conscious birth experience. I feel strongly that every birthing person has to right to know all of their options available to them and have the ability to make decisions based off of knowledge rather than fear.

Through my midwifery studies I found my passion and expertise in coaching and preparing birthing families for an unmedicated birth experience. Everything we do together in our birth preparation is individually designed to prepare you for the transformation giving birth can bring. I’m confident that in working together you will feel supported, well resourced and powerful during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

Please feel free to read some reviews of my doula services on Yelp. 

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Doula work is a calling.

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a birthing person before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

Doulas are non-medical professionals trained to give physical and emotional support in childbirth. Doulas offer constant, uninterrupted attention and encouragement to the birthing person.

They are skilled in comfort and relaxation techniques for labor (like position changes, breathing exercises, massage) and experienced in giving non-judgmental emotional support. Additionally, doulas can provide extended support during pregnancy and after giving birth.

It would be an honor and a privilege to be your doula.

If you are interested in learning more about what a doula is and what the benefits are of having a doula present at your birth and during the postpartum period please read this helpful article by DONA

 DOULA PACKAGES


 

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IN DEPTH PACKAGE

  • BASIC PACKAGE

  • Plus one 60 minute Prenatal Massage with Lauren

  • Plus one 60 minute Postpartum Massage with Lauren

  • Plus one depth hypnosis session with Sandra Lloyd.

  • Depth Hypnosis is a highly effective therapeutic model developed by Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., that helps people work through issues quickly and gain long-lasting results.

  • It is a profound and rapid path of transformation.

  • Depth Hypnosis synthesizes the wisdom of two very ancient healing and spiritual modalities; Buddhism and Shamanism, with two modern approaches: hypnotherapy and transpersonal psychology to address imbalances on emotional, physical and spiritual levels.

  • In Depth Hypnosis, people are still fully conscious; they're just in a state where their conscious mind and defenses can relax enabling them to move into areas of the psyche that would otherwise be inaccessible.

  • In Depth Hypnosis, the use of a hypnotic induction to induce a light trance – basically a state of alert yet focused relaxation – is key to the therapeutic process.

BASIC PACKAGE

  • 2 two hour prenatal visits done in your home or over zoom

  • Education and practice around breathing techniques and labor

    positions.

  • Physical, emotional, mental, informational, and spiritual support

  • Partner/support person guidance and coaching

  • Regular check-ins and email/text correspondence

  • Assistance in writing your birth preferences sheet

  • Ongoing holistic pregnancy counseling and resources

  • Referrals for pediatricians, chiropractors, childbirth educators,

    acupuncturists, lactation consultants, etc.

  • Recommendations for nutrition, minerals, herbs, yoga, placenta

    encapsulation, etc.

  • On call services from 37 weeks onward and continuous support

    throughout your birth and immediate postpartum period.

  • Photography of the birth (if you wish)

  • One postpartum visit where we record and process your birth story as well as check in about how your postpartum is going.
     

ADDITIONAL DOULA PACKAGES

PREGNANT! NOW WHAT? INITIAL PRENATAL SESSION: $100/hr

This session is perfect for someone in their first or second trimester who is looking to learn more about the options they have available to them. This consultation can be anywhere from one to two hours long. We will be going over the difference between the hospitals in the Bay Area, as well as answering your questions about the SF Birth Center or working with a home birth midwife. We will also talk about basic nutrition, preparation for birth and postpartum as well as go over all your options in terms of building your support team.

VIRTUAL DOULA SERVICES: DURING COVID-19: Sliding scale $2800-$3000

BASIC PACKAGE. In person labor support is available and then once we move the party to the hospital, I will become your virtual doula. The first prenatal will be held over Zoom and then the 36 week prenatal will be held in your home to review labor positions, breathing techniques and logistics for the day of the birth. I am a certified virtual doula through Ancient Song Doula Services.

POSTPARTUM PLUS PACKAGE: $3800

BASIC PACKAGE. PLUS 2 ADDITIONAL three hour postpartum sessions with Lauren where she will help with the birthing person’s recovery, newborn care, breastfeeding, meal preparation, sitz baths, household chores, and be a continued source of support during this time of transition.

GODDESS PACKAGE: $4000

BASIC PACKAGE. PLUS 3 - 60 minute Prenatal Massages with Lauren. PLUS 1 90 minute Pregnancy photo shoot with Britt Fohrman.

Pictures from an Ocean Plunge Mammas Circle out at Ocean Beach!

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY DOULA PRACTICE

INITIAL CONSULTATION

I offer a 45-minute complimentary Initial Consultation with you (and your birthing partner) over Zoom. In this meeting we will discuss what you are looking for in your labor support and go into greater detail about my doula practice, approach and philosophy surrounding supporting pregnant people. Feel free to get in touch with me and I’ll send out some potential dates and times to meet for a free consultation.

PRENATAL MEETINGS

First Prenatal: Paving the Way for a Positive Birth and Postpartum (typically scheduled between 28-34 weeks)

I will do a dive deep with you and your birth partner to uncover your strengths and the character building experiences you can draw upon for inspiration to support your pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.  Additionally, I’ll help you illuminate the places where there’s potential for healing, growth and transformation. Some logistical topics we’ll discuss include refining your diet and supplements; perineal preparation; boundaries with work and family; improving your sleep; making plans for older children and preparing for postpartum. Families appreciate receiving my practical suggestions and action items, as well as themes for meditation, contemplation, mindful self care and bonding experiences with your partner.

Second Prenatal: Feeling Ready and Excited for Birth (scheduled during week 36 for singletons & week 34 for twins!) 

The goal of this meeting is to leave you feeling confident going into what’s knows as the "‘waiting period’ of pregnancy aka the final few weeks of your pregnancy, where it’s possible to go into labor at any point. During the meeting we will discuss signs of early labor and when to contact me in labor, as well as become more familiar with how I will provide you with support during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. We will go over what's left on your "to do list", review your birth preferences sheet, and practice labor positions and breathing techniques around your house.  We’ll also discuss your deepest hopes and dreams for the birth, as well as any fears or concerns that may be coming up. At the end of this meeting, my hope is that you will feel as ready as possible to give birth and know how to access all of the support and resources available to you.

*Other family members or friends that will be attending the birth are encouraged to come to at least one of your prenatal visits. 

RECOMMENDED CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASS

If you are planning a hospital birth: In addition to the work that we do prenatally together, I strongly suggest taking Rachel Yellin’s Hypnosis Based Childbirth Preparation Classes and listening to her Pregnancy Birth and Beyond Audio Program. The program will help prepare you and your partner for the most natural, conscious and empowering birth possible, while helping you develop and deepen a relaxation practice that will be crucial in your birth and also in your life as a parent. If you’d like to download her audio program, make sure to use the code “laurenmiller” to save 20%!

If you are planning a birth at the San Francisco Birth Center, I invite you to enroll in the childbirth preparation series I teach through the Birth Center. It is a weekend long intensive that is a skills based course. We will explore what it looks like to labor at home and then what it looks like to give birth at the Birth Center. We will be focusing on learning mindfulness techniques, breathing techniques, visualizations, labor positions and exploring the options you have while giving birth at the Birth Center. To learn more about the class and sign up, please head over to my 'Childbirth Education’ page.

If you are planning a homebirth, then you are welcome to take my 5 week Homebirth Education Class! This is a unique class where you have the opportunity to sit in community with other people preparing for a homebirth. This specific homebirth education class has been passed down through a series of wise women. I was fortunate to inherit the class from Nile Nash, who took over the class from Jane Austin. Each week we will focus on a specific theme and we will be cultivating relaxation skills during each class. To learn more about the class and sign up, please head over to my 'Childbirth Education’ page

DOULA APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

I offer an incredible opportunity to newer doulas who are looking to gain insight as to what it’s like to be a full time doula in SF with a thriving business. During the apprenticeship you will have the opportunity to attend 6 prenatal meetings, 3 births and 3 postpartum sessions. I will also be there to answer any questions you have about how to start your own doula business! Feel free to get in touch with me, as I love supporting newer doulas! Birth work is very fulfilling work and it would be a honor to share my passion with you.

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Post birth bliss with a beloved doula client and my apprentice and former doula client Maggie!

Maggie is a mom of two and has started her own doula practice in Aspen, Colorado.

FACTS ABOUT DOULAS

  • People with doula support are two times less likely to experience birth complications and four times less likely to have a low-birth-weight baby. (1)

  • Doulas make sure that their clients’ voices are heard and that medical information is communicated directly to clients, so that clients understand and can make their own best choices for themselves and their babies.

  • Doulas support people through miscarriages, abortions and adoptions as well as fertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

  • Doulas protect bodily autonomy in a system that consistently shows very little respect for pregnant, birthing and postpartum people.

  • Community-based doula care is vital to addressing health disparities by building trust with folks who come from their communities and who share cultural values and lived experiences. (2)

  • Doulas are a critical way that we can address racial disparities in maternal and newborn health. (3)