“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”
-Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Welcoming a new baby is a rite of passage and a big transition. Whether you’re a first time parent or have a big brood at home already, we believe that you deserve support throughout the entire process. We are trained in pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care, as well as postpartum needs for both mama and baby. The doulas of Santa Cruz Family Doula Collective work in tandem to ensure that all of your needs are met during this vulnerable and important time.
Our Model of Care
Our relationship begins when you book a complimentary consultation with one of our doulas. During this introduction, we will answer your questions, talk about your upcoming birth and take the opportunity to get to know each other.
Once you have booked our services, your doula is available to you by phone or email throughout the duration of your pregnancy and through the first six weeks postpartum.
Your doula will schedule two prenatal visits at your home during the third trimester, where we will discuss your hopes and concerns about pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We will also help you set intentions for your birth experience, practice coping techniques for labor and discuss expectations and support for the postpartum period. We encourage and assist moms in establishing a “Postpartum Partner” with a trusted friend or relative. The backup doula assigned to your birth will also attend one of these prenatal visits, giving you an opportunity to become well acquainted in the event that she attends some or all of your birth.
Once you are in labor, you will have continuous doula support from the time you request it until approximately two hours after your baby is born. We will continue to check in with you in the days and weeks following your birth and the doula who supports you during labor will make a home visit about 7-10 days postpartum to ensure that your new family is settling in well. If you have booked postpartum support, that will begin at this time and will vary based on your needs.