Birth Doula Services
Interested in having an ND and HypnoBirthing trained birth doula at your baby’s birthing?
I’m happy to announce that I’m a team member of www.yourdowntowndoula.com In addition to my services as a naturopathic doctor, doula and HypnoBirthing instructor, you’ll benefit from the wide range of services our group has to offer and the peace of mind of having a reliable back-up doula available (if needed).
I’m currently available for birth dates April, May, June, September, October, November (2021)
*** COVID-19 update March 2021: In adapting to the ever changing situation regarding COVID-19 and in following the directives of the Ontario Ministry of Health and the College of Naturopaths Ontario, I am happy to announce that in-person support is now available for labour and childbirth. While doulas, as a support person in addition to your partner, are not currently allowed in hospitals, in-person support is available in your home (ie. before you go to the hospital), for homebirths and at the Toronto Birth Centre. All other services are currently provided by virtual means only (ie. consults and HypnoBirthing classes).
Please be assured that all services that are offered in-person by me will follow stricts standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For our clients, you may asked to follow some general protective guidelines such as wearing a face mask, hand washing and completing a COVID-10 screening questionnaire before each and every in-person visit. Together we can make your birthing experience a safe and healthy one!
We understand there are still many restrictions in place that are limiting pregnancy, childbirth and post partum support, so in an effort to continue provide high quality care to our families, me and my team at Your Downtown Doula are working to increase access to online resources as well as provide you with reassurance and constant contact throughout this very special time for your family. Pregnancy care and access to continuous care through your healthcare provider is changing and we intend to bridge the support gap that currently exists for pregnant families everywhere. For more information about how you can benefit from a doula during these challenging times, please contact me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact eevonlingnd@gmail.com for more info!
What is a Doula?
A doula (also referred to as a labour attendant or labour coach) is considered the person who provides continuous physical and emotional support and assistance to a woman before, during and after childbirth. Having a different role than a midwife, OBGYN or RN, the doula provides important care from a non-medical aspect. A doula also helps the birthing partner and/or family by providing information, physical assistance, and emotional support. Having this continuous support during labour and birth is associated with improved maternal and fetal health and a variety of other benefits.
While the goal of an OBGYN or midwife is a safe childbirth, the goal of a doula is to ensure the mother feels safe, comfortable, confident, informed and supported before, during, and after the birth of her baby. Doulas cannot make or voice decisions for the birthing couple nor can they intervene the actions of the attending midwife, RN, obstetrician or other medically licensed professional active during labour and birth, but they can help the birthing couple ensure that they are active participants within their healthcare team every step along the way.
A mother who feels safe, comfortable, confident, informed and supported is able to relax and allow the natural process of labour and birth to happen in a healthy normal way.
Many studies have shown significant benefits of having a doula present during labour and birth:
Benefits to mother
- Shorter labours
- Lower rates of intervention use during labour and birth
- Lower rates of epidural use
- Lower C-section birth rate
- Higher levels of reported satisfaction
Benefits to baby:
- Lower rates of fetal distress
- Lower rates of low APGAR score at 5 minutes after birth
- Higher rate of breastfeeding initiation
- Lower admittance rates into the NICU
EeVon Ling is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, certified Hypnotherapist, certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner, trained Naturopathic Doula as well as a mother to 2 home-birthed daughters. She is a strong supporter of homebirths, low or no intervention births, using evidence-based practices and educated and informed births. She has attended home births, hospital births, birth-centre births, midwife and OB attended births as well as VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), twin births, inductions and C-section births.
“Birthing your baby is a healthy, natural and normal function of your body.
I’ll be there to help you feel calm, comfortable and confident that you CAN do it!”
Get three professionals in one!
Naturopathic support: homeopathy, herbs, supplements, nutrition, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage
HypnoBirthing and Hypnotherapy support: benefit from a wide range of relaxation techniques
Labour attendant: benefit from her personal and professional experience throughout your labour and baby’s birth
Birth doula services provided by EeVon Ling ND may be covered under employee health insurance under naturopathic services.
Menu of Doula Services
Naturopathic services are HST exempt.
One 15 min “meet and greet” Complimentary
We meet at a mutually agreed upon public place
I explain my approach and birth philosophy and my potential role in your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period
I learn a little about you, your expectations and some of your birth preferences
You’ll receive forms and doula info package, however, you are under no obligation to register.
Prenatal services: “packages” are suggested services and personalized recommendations can be made for you based on your needs and circumstance.
HypnoBirthing class 475
5 week program of complete childbirth preparation and education plus learn and practice all the tools to achieve a relaxed, comfortable, safe birth. A must for natural and no/low intervention births! Includes a 30 minute ND consult.
For more information please visit www.myhypnobirthing.ca
HypnoBirthing classes + birth +post partum package 1675
Receive 5 weeks of comprehensive childbirth preparation and relaxation training for your baby’s birth + one pre-birth home visit + all the services of Attendance at birth + 1 post partum home visit
Pre-Birth home appointment (45 min) Included in doula fee
Home assessment (for home birth, laboring at home, and for baby’s arrival)
Address general questions and concerns
This should be scheduled at least 4 weeks prior to due date (36 weeks pregnant or earlier)
Just the Basics Birth Doula Services 1050
Includes 45 minute home preparatory visit (scheduled at 36 weeks)
Includes 24/7 on-call/txt/e-mail support from registration until 30 days after birth
Arrive at home/ hospital at mother’s request once labour has started
Continuous physical presence, emotional support and I may offer the following therapies:
Suggest and assist with positions
Homeopathy
Herbs
Hydrotherapy (hot and cold packs)
Massage
TENS
Assist with water pool (water temperature, positions)
Acupuncture, moxibustion
Help keep mother feeling calm, relaxed and confident and focused
Work with healthcare providers in supporting the birthing family
Provide physical, emotional and informational support for the whole birthing family
Post Partum Services
Inquire for information:
> Postpartum support (focus on recovery, nutrition and supplements)
> Infant massage instruction
> Infant Sleep Education and Consults
Any additional naturopathic appointments as needed are at an additional cost.
References:
Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Weston J. Continuous support for women during childbirth.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Feb 16;(2):CD003766.
Kozhimannil KB, Attanasio LB, Hardeman RR, O’Brien M. Doula Care Supports Near-Universal Breastfeeding Initiation among Diverse, Low-Income Women. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2013 Jul;58(4):378-82.
Kozhimannil KB, Hardeman RR, Attanasio LB, Blauer-Peterson C, O’Brien M. Doula care, birth outcomes, and costs among Medicaid beneficiaries. Am J Public Health. 2013 Apr;103(4):e113-21. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301201. Epub 2013 Feb 14.