A birth doula is a professional labor companion who supports the birthing person and their partner throughout their pregnancy, labor, delivery, and shortly after the birth of your little one(s). Doulas provide emotional, physical, informative, advocacy, and partner support. As your doula, I want to assist you with communicating with staff, your midwife, or OBGYN so you can make informed birth decisions. I can provide you with various suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation and breathing techniques, massage, positioning and other comfort measures. I work directly for you to provide you the support you deserve.

Evidence-Based Birth on Doulas

Birth outcomes are significantly better with the help of a doula. Childbirth may be intense, challenging, and unpredictable for the birthing person (and their partner). Labor can last for a few hours or 36+ hours. Even with preparation, it can be difficult to retain and apply previous knowledge. Labor is unpredictable as every mother and baby is different. Health professionals, hospitals, and their actions affect the birthing experience. Every client will have a health provider, but all health care providers prioritize birth clinically. Due to other obligations and patients, hospital staff and midwives cannot stay in the birthing room for the entirety of labor. Hospital treatment is shift-based, therefore medical support staff will often vary during one's shift to another.

Early in the pregnancy, a doula educates and supports the client and partner on birth preferences. Doulas emotionally assist partners, propose support tactics, and physically provide comfort during labor. Like a coach, the doula helps the birthing partner support the laboring person. Doulas help clients get all the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their birthing journey. Doulas advocate for a birthing person and their partner to have a successful birth as they define it.

Research has shown that doula care has been associated with shorter labors, reduced medical interventions, lower rates of postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders, less epidural use and pain interventions, lower episiotomy rates and use of assistive devices (vacuums, forceps, etc.), an increase in successful breastfeeding rates, better family bonding, and more. Paiten also cares for the partner and other family members, supports busy hospital staff, and significantly improves a mother's overall satisfaction with her birth experience. Paiten provides assistance by assisting staff personnel with position changes, adequate hydration during labor, and being present when the partner is "out for a food run or break".

No. Doulas support their client in their desired birthing experience as they define it. That includes hospital births, home births, and birthing centers births. This includes elected interventions like epidurals and c-sections. Paiten supports all birthing experiences, such as VBACs, water births, c-sections, and more.

Never. A doula does not replace any member of the birthing team, we work together to support you and your needs/desires. A doula helps partners engage at their own comfort level by offering knowledge, comfort techniques, as well as care. Doulas are like your "additional" plus one.

For the birth doula services, Paiten provides multiple payment options. Paiten believes everyone should have access to labor support regardless of income. Clients can pay in full ($1,200), in 2 payments ($600 & $600), or 3 payments ($400, $400, and $400). Payments should be paid in full by 37 weeks. If a payment plan is selected, the first payment is due within 48 hours of booking.

Paiten has over 8 years of experience in the healthcare field, ranging from long term care, cardiac telemetry, orthopedics, emergency department, and more. She has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Labor & Delivery & Antepartum. She has attended the following workshops and obtained the following certifications: Spinning Babies Workshop, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, DONA International Approved Birth Doula Workshop, Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas Workshop, Lactation for Birth Professionals Workshop, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, and Water Birth for Doulas Workshop. Paiten continues to educate herself on various techniques, birth topics, and birth statistics. She is currently pursuing her certification in Childbirth Education. Have a question, do not hesitate to reach out. If she is unsure, she will provide you with the proper resources to answer your questions or concerns.

A laboring mother has several tools at her disposal, including an epidural. Paiten supports all birth options and will provide you with all of the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. There are sensations that must be worked through prior to receiving an epidural. Your doula will keep you comfortable by giving comfort measures such as breathing, position changes, massage, and other tools until an epidural is available. An epidural alleviates some labor discomforts, but not all of them; Paiten will assists you in being comfortable and calm during the birth process.

Every birth process is unique, therefore having the guidance of a Doula allows you to navigate this journey with more ease. You will have questions regarding the many sensations you are experiencing, and you can call your Doula at any time to get reassurance. Doulas provide evidence-based education in reference to the laboring process, proper position changes to aide in the descension of your baby, breastfeeding support, how to communicate with your provider(s), birth plan development, and more.

To book Paiten as your doula, one must schedule a consultation. During a consultation, Paiten will gather more information on your desires for your birth, such as your provider, planned birth location, other plans for the delivery of your bundle of joy, and what is included in her doula contracts and package. After the consultation, book your due date under the birth doula package under Services. Finally, Paiten will send her doula contracts over to obtain your signature and receive your first payment. You’re all set, the doula support begins.

Paiten accepts payments through her doula portal, Doulado. She also accepts payments through Zelle and Venmo. After booking, Paiten will email clients an invoice based on their desired payment option.

Paiten has three payment options available: Pay in full ($1,200), 2 payments ($600 and $600), and 3 payments ($400, $400, and $400). Payments must be paid in full by delivery. If a different payment plan is needed, Paiten will discuss this during the initial consultation. As a doula, Paiten believes that everyone should have access to a support person regardless of their income.