Preparing for Childbirth
doesn’t have to be Daunting
With all the books, information, other people’s suggestions, and the traumatic stories you hear, it makes sense to feel confused.
To make it even more challenging, medical providers often just expect you to learn everything about birth on your own.
As a professional doula, I’m here to help you - every step along the way.
Picture this:
You arrive at your prenatal appointment and they ask you:
“Any questions?”
You stare blankly and reply,
“I don’t know… what SHOULD I be asking?”
This is one of the many times when working with a doula during your pregnancy is extremely helpful.
Do you want the guidance and wisdom of a doula without their presence at your birth?
Do you want to work with a doula but your partner doesn’t exactly feel comfortable with it?
Do you want to work with a doula but you feel the burden of all the financial investments that come with being pregnant and getting ready for a baby?
Have you taken a childbirth class but it just wasn't enough to truly prepare and plan for birth and postpartum?
Would having a doula in your back pocket during pregnancy and postpartum give you the reassurance, guidance, love and support to ensure a more positive, empowered birth experience for you and your partner?
If you’ve answered YES to any of these, you’ve landed in the right place!
Hi! Welcome, Mama.
I’m Marissa.
It’s wonderful to connect with you.
I’ve been a birth and postpartum doula for 12 years and in that time I’ve supported hundreds of birthing families prior to their birth and postpartum in Prenatal Sessions.
During these tailor made sessions, families learn about and prepare for birth, understand their desires and preferences, fill their toolbelt with comfort measures, labor positions, coping strategies and relaxation practices and focus on preparing and planning for their fourth trimester - the time after birth once baby arrives.
I’ve guided and supported parents through their fears, excitements and questions. I’ve used my knowledge as a childbirth educator and hands on experience as a doula to bring comprehensive and dynamic information, practices and role-playing to parents, so that they can prepare for a peaceful, pleasurable and empowered birth.
I always bring in multiple perspectives, holistic and medical understandings, rituals and sacred practices to help enrich parents' journeys. I like to think of them as half childbirth education and half therapy session. These sessions are amazing.
Honestly, these sessions are one of my most favorite ways of working with expectant parents because I have witnessed the “Ah-ha moments” birthers have through having deep space held for them, through mentoring and through continued support during and after education sessions. Books can only do so much during this process! This is where a real person, a doula, can answer questions, and help you integrate and create lasting effects!
Mothers, join on your own or with a support person!
Topics in a childbirth education / birth planning session may include:
The journey of labor and birth: the signs of labor, stages of labor, hormones and physiology of labor
Creating your birth space
Deep relaxation practices, breathing practices, comfort measures and labor positions
The compassionate use of drugs, epidurals and interventions
Prenatal Yoga & Spinning Babies movements for optimal positioning and comfort during pregnancy and birth
Cesarean Birth In Awareness
How to prepare for postpartum and ask for support
Partner support and guidance
These sessions are virtual unless you live in the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee area.
They are typically 1.5-2 hours long.
How it Works
Step one: Book an exploratory call with me, by emailing me at mountainblessingsbirth@gmail.com, to see if this program is for you. These are transformative in and of themselves.
Step two: If this feels like a good fit, we work together to create the ideal package for you and your family. Typically parents enjoy 4 prenatal sessions during their pregnancy and 1 postpartum session to process their birth and gain support. There is no time restriction on when you can enjoy a session…13 weeks or 30 weeks, I can meet your needs. I’ll provide you with pricing, and some ideas around what our sessions could look like before committing to any services.
Step three: You book your first private childbirth education / birth planning session and become even more empowered on this beautiful journey.
*This support system always included ongoing communication support via phone and email. I am available to you on Tuesdays & Thursdays unless you are experiencing an emergency.
Investment
I operate on a sliding-scale payment system to meet the financial needs and comforts of many different families. Pricing can depend on how many sessions you’d like during pregnancy and postpartum.
Per session, the sliding scale is $80.00 - $250.00.
I understand physical doula support during your birth may not be a good fit for you and your family. I also understand that you’d like that “extra support” that is so greatly missing from the medical world of birth and that you’d like to make your birth more special, more connected, more empowered.
Interested? Let’s hop on a 30-minute free exploratory call and see if this support system is what you are looking for.
