Doula ~ Sharon Hockenbury ~ North Bend, Washington
Being a part of the birth process has been a long time passion of mine. I loved being with my friends when they had their babies, helping out in any way I could. I have had 9 babies of my own and have personal experience with vaginal births after a cesarean. I decided I would be a Doula. After looking at the qualifi ations of becoming a "certified" doula, I realized, I had read ALL the required books plus more, participated in the required number of births, the only thing I was missing was paying for the class and getting the paper saying I was "certified". This is the step I never took; thus the title "Lay Doula".
As a certified herbalist and natural health educator, with 20 years of experience, I bring an added dimenson to my Doula services.
Testimonies and pictures
"...Sharon was able to get in my head (with her strong blue eyes) and help me concentrate. I just remember hands on me and smelling a variety of fragrant herbs and flowers!" Jessi Meyburg 9/2007
Relaxing in the Water! Precious baby Nico
Mom & Baby bonding Me holding the new gift from God
Read on to find out more about my services and fees
As a Lay Doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw upon my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support and physical comfort. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independently self-employed. As your lay doula, I am working for you, not your care giver or hospital/birth center.Choosing a Doula I prefer to meet with you and your partner at least once before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. This initial meeting does not obligate you to use my services.If you choose to select me as your doula, I will want to become familiar with your plans for labor, birth and postpartum. I will also want to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your partner foresee working together. I will also inform you of times that I am not available for labor support and will do my best to ensure my availability for your labor and birth. We may also decide on other meetings and will certainly want to remain in touch by telephone.As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc. I am present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy. I won’t make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.FEESThe “On Call” Fee ~ $250 retainer fee due when you accept me as your Lay Doula ~ Non refundable unless I default on the contract. Services include:· Prenatal visits – Guaranteed 1 visit and 2 if time allows. The purpose of Visit 1 is do an initial interview to determine your expectations of me and my expectations of you. We will also begin discussing options for birth and your birth plan. Often, the initial interview doubles as this visit. We will discuss and determine together if another visit is necessary. At the latest, (3 weeks before your due date) I will want to go over your final draft of the birth plan and to finalize arrangements such as when you will be expecting me to arrive, what foods should available for mother and attendants and where other necessary items are located for laboring at home. It is very important that all involved be aware of what you expect from each and every participant in your birth. I also request that an accurate map to your planned place of birth from my home, as well as an alternate map to the closest hospital (if it's not your planned place of birth), in case of an emergency. The communication can be done via e-mail if time is limited and any questions discussed on the phone.· Unlimited e-mail communication and limited phone communication. I am happy to answer questions on the phone, but ask that you consider my family, when calling. · 24 hour phone contact during early labor and postpartum. Again, I ask you be considerate of my family and discern rather you are needing some encourage or more expertise advise from your care provider.· I am happy to share my knowledge of natural health and healing, however, all medical decisions will be made between you and your Pregnancy/Birth Care provider.The “Birth” Fee ~ $250-$800. As my client, I leave it up to you as to what within the scale you will pay for the actual birth. Some things I encourage you to consider in your decision are: Your financial situation, the duration of the birth, your satisfaction with the services rendered, etc. This fee is due at the postpartum visit. Services include but not limited too:· Labor support for the birth itself - Jobs I will be performing at each birth besides supporting the laboring mother will include but not be limited to: making or getting meals, managing birth related laundry, retrieving ice chips, drinks & food, fielding phone calls, preparing/retrieving towels, assisting father, photographing/video taping, (I do not have my own equipment), using various natural pain relief techniques, supporting your birthing choices, acting as liaison between medical attendants and laboring couple, keeping visitors to a minimum (and only those authorized by the couple to enter), informing the family of progress of birth process, etc.· In the event of a marathon labor (labor lasting more than 24 hours) I reserve the right to call in a labor assistant for temporary relief if needed at an additional cost of $25.00/hr, paid directly to the relief assistant. After a short rest, I will resume my primary role as your labor assistant. This is for your safety and mine so that I can perform at my optimum for the birth. After birth, If needed, I can remain with you for one to two hours, unless you are comfortable and your family is ready for private time together. I can also assist breastfeeding your newborn, if necessary. I am available for phone contact to answer any questions you may have. I would like to meet one last time within two weeks following your birth to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role. If you are having specific difficulties, I usually can arrange to come as soon as you need to see me. I will be available for e-mail communication and limited telephone communication for 2 week postpartum. After that, consultations are available at $25 per half hour~1/2 hour minimum.· If I am unable to fulfill my obligations under this contract there will be no charge for my services and I will refund the retaining fee. I will make every effort to provide the services described here. However, if there is a rapid labor and birth, or if I am not contacted for the birth, the “On Call” retaining fee will be kept but there will be no further charges.
For more referrals please e-mail me at: sonsnaturalhealth@comcast.net