Simply Birth

Hi! I'm Esther, birth doula and friend. I've been attending births since I was three years old. Admittedly, most of those have been goat births, but I have learned a lot about birth from being a goat birth assistant and there are more similarities between goat birth and human birth than you might think. 

I've learned that at any birth it's important to be patient and trust. Trust the process of birth, yes, but also trust the mother and baby to know what to do to accomplish birth. I've learned to hold space and embrace all the moments, both the good and the hard. I've spent hours sitting with laboring goats, sending love and support as they made their way through labor. I've also felt the pain of a hard birth when unexpected interventions were necessary. I've mourned the loss of a stillborn goat and rejoiced when triplets came easily. I've learned to never take that moment of birth for granted. To always stand in awe of the power of women and mothers. I can't say I've had every experience, but I've had a lot and each time I walk away knowing that I was just a witness to something beautiful and sacred and special and I am thrilled every time I am blessed to be a part of that again. 

 

What does being a doula mean to me?

Being a doula means I am a friend, a companion, and a part of your birth team whose primary purpose is to work with you to create your beautiful birth story. 

I think the best description of what a doula is and does is found in the famous "to every thing there is a season" scripture from Ecclesiastes.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

I love this scripture for several reasons. Of course because it mentions birth, but also because it reminds me to be patient and trust the process of birth. Whether a birth is three hours or 36, there is a purpose and a reason for it and it's okay. Sometimes babies come fast but other times, even in the absence of complications, labor requires a lot of time. Why? I'm not sure we have a scientific formula to create the perfect 3 hour birth, but I have noticed that it is vital to recognize and respect the emotions that both mother and baby are experiencing during birth. 

 

Birth is exciting! It's also new and scary sometimes. There are new sensations and possible reminders of old hurts, insecurities, and trauma. Birth is primal. It requires an absolute letting go of everything and that sort of vulnerability can be terrifying. Regardless of what your emotions are during birth, you deserve and have a right to birth however you birth without judgement, without criticism, and without fear. 

 

Which is another reason why I love this scripture. It reminds me that there can be a wide range of experiences and emotions during birth. Sometimes there's laughter and jokes in the birth room, and sometimes there are tears. At times you may want an embrace, a touch, or a massage to provide comfort, other times you might not. Lighthearted conversation eventually gives way to reverent silence. Regardless, birth and labor should always be a time to love and a time of peace.

I believe that the most important part of every birth plan is surrounding yourself with a team of people  you trust to love you, support you, guide you and never leave you because in the end, when your baby is born and you're home with your new family, how you feel about the experience matters more than the mechanics of what actually happened. Not all birth stories go according to plan, but with acceptance, support, and unconditional love, every birth story can be beautiful. 

 

Certifications:

- Completed a DONA Certified Doula Training taught by Melissa Chappell (April, 2023).

- Certified Emotional Health Facilitator using Integrative Processing Technique (IPT) from The Institute of Healing Arts (2018).

- Certified Family & Nutritional Herbalist from The School of Natural Healing (2021) with training in herbs and remedies for pregnancy. 

 

Pricing:

I charge a $750 flat rate fee that covers 2 in-home prenatal visits, the birth (at home, birth center, or hospital) from whenever you decide you need me to 1-2 hours post-birth, and 1 in-home postnatal visit. Included in that fee is 24/7 access to me by phone or text from 32 weeks prenatal to 2 weeks postnatal.

 

I also offer a package of 4 IPT emotional health sessions to new and expecting moms for $200 for all 4 (regular price ~ $280). I specialize in Birth Trauma Recovery and working through primigravida fears and concerns. You can take advantage of this discount anytime during pregnancy or for up to 8 weeks postnatal. See the Simply-Health page for more information about how this can benefit you, your partner, and your baby.

 

The Prenatals: 

Include reviewing possible comfort measures, breastfeeding education, what to expect during labor, assistance with creating a birth plan, discussions about concerns or fears regarding pregnancy and labor. Prenatal visits also let me get an idea of what role you will want me to take during labor. Both partners should plan to attend prenatal visits together. 

The Birth: 

Don't know when to call in the midwife or go to the hospital? Unsure if what you're experiencing is prelabor or actual labor? Have questions or need support during the early stages of labor? That's what I'm here for. I provide support during labor from the time you decide you need me until after the baby is born. I provide comfort measures, counter pressure, grounding support, emotional release, guidance, and whatever else you need to keep you feeling good. I also provide partner support so that both of you can remain strong, supported, and confidant throughout labor. 

The Postnatals: 

The postnatal visit is an opportunity to review tips for caring for yourself and your baby after the birth. It's a chance to review and process your birth story, clarify any questions about what happened, and celebrate your strength and success. Your emotional and physical well-being still matter long after the birth and I'm here to support you in taking care of yourself.

 

Would you like to talk & see if I'm a good fit for your birth team?

I offer a free consultation where we can ask questions, get to know each other, and determine if I'm the right doula for the job. You can decide if we meet over the phone, on Zoom, or in person. Feel free to reach out by phone, text, or email & please include your name, due date, and contact information.  

801-361-6577

esthercbeck@gmail.com