Doula Services
What is a Doula?
A birth doula is trained, non-medical assistant who provides continuous one-on-one physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.
Doulas are trained professionals experienced in childbirth. We serve as a constant presence of support and an emotional anchor for our client. As your doula I will offer education, serve as an advocate, and help with comfort measures, acupressure, aromatherapy, massage and mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. Unlike medical staff, who change shifts and have other jobs to do, your doula’s only job is supporting you and assisting your loved-ones in supporting you as well. Visit Evidence Based Birth to find out what the research demonstrates about the impacts of Doulas on birth outcomes.
Basic Doula Package
1-2 in-home prenatal visits
To assess your needs and desires for birth, assist in developing a birth plan, breastfeeding and postpartum plan, and provide you with useful techniques to enhance comfort during late pregnancy, labour and birth.
Unlimited Phone & email support
To answer your questions, offer suggestions and provide support throughout pregnancy and early labour.
Access to my lending library
Feel free to borrow books on pregnancy, labor, yoga, breathing etc.
On-call starting at 38 weeks until 42 weeks
I arrange to be at your side as quickly as possible once labour begins, no matter the time of day/night.
Continuous face-to-face labour support for up to 12 hours with an hourly rate beyond that.
I will stay with you during active labour and birth providing emotional & physical support, helping you advocate for your needs and providing comfort and guidance.
1-2 hours of postpartum support after baby's arrival
Assistance in supporting you and baby get settled before quietly leaving you to some much deserved rest.One in-home postpartum visit
An opportunity to check in with you and baby, talk about your birth experience and share resources. Typically a week after you return home.
About YOur Doula
Malaika Maitland is a Professional Yoga Therapist and creator of the Maternitea Prenatal Yoga Series. She attended the International Center for Traditional Childbearing Doula intensive in 2016 and is a current Mama Glow Doula-Trainee. Malaika has experience assisting births at hospital and at home.
Testimonials
“Having Malaika as my Doula was great because she has a warm and welcoming aura. Participating in her Maternitea prenatal yoga classes was really helpful but having her with me during labour was priceless. I think what helped me the most was the guided breathing and the essential oils that she used for massage. The lavender was very calming, and the citrus oil gave me a boost of energy in those moments when I needed it most. Even though I had my family with me for support, she was more willing to push me when I needed encouragement to keep moving and walking. She was also such a great support and comfort for my family. Using the birth ball with Malaika during labour helped me stay active and ease through contractions. When I returned to the hospital after birth everyone knew me as ‘The Ball Lady’, since they had not seen a birth ball used before.
As moms having the baby blues is natural yet we aren’t always able to open up and talk about it. When Malaika came by for her postpartum home visit I was able to talk to her and she made me feel comfortable in going through my journey and the whole process of becoming a mom.”
- Shani S.
“Hiring Malaika as our doula was the best decision we ever made during the pregnancy. The simple fact that she was all about us and showed so much interest in the health and wellbeing of the baby was amazing. She checked in daily to find out how everything was going. She encouraged me to get plenty of rest and exercise a little when I felt up to it.
At the hospital is where Malaika came through the most. Every time I felt like I couldn't do it, she reminded me that I could, and that it would all be worth it in the end. She brought her working tools, like the birth ball to help with the laboring process and also calming aromatherapy oils. She performed massages and applied heat therapy to ease some of the contraction and back pains, and trust me, it worked wonders! My grandma was also at the hospital with us and she also found Malaika very attentive and pleasant.
After I got home with baby, Malaika came by to check on us. She brought organic vegetables from her dad’s garden, Moringa leaves to help with breastmilk production and handouts with advice about breastfeeding. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!”