Birth Doula Support
Preparing for birth often comes with excitement, uncertainty, and a lot of questions. Whether you’ve already envisioned exactly how you hope your birth unfolds or you’re simply taking things one step at a time, my role is to help you understand your options, prepare for the unexpected, and provide steady support throughout your birth experience.
What Is a Birth Doula?
A birth doula is a trained professional who supports you throughout your birth experience. My role is not to provide medical care or replace your healthcare provider. Instead, I’m there to answer questions, help you understand what’s happening, and offer continuous support from the time you hire me until after your baby is born.
Birth rarely follows a script. Sometimes labor unfolds just as you expected. Sometimes it doesn’t. As your doula, I’ll help you navigate those unexpected moments by making sure you understand your options and have the time and information you need to make decisions that feel right for you.
If you have a partner or another support person, they remain an important part of your birth team. I don’t take their place. I help them feel more comfortable and confident so they can focus on supporting you instead of trying to figure everything out on their own.
What You Can Expect
Every person arrives at birth with their own hopes, concerns, and experiences. Before we start preparing for your birth, I want to get to know you. I want to understand what matters most to you and how I can best support you throughout your birth experience.
I believe you deserve clear, evidence-based information without pressure or judgment. My role isn’t to tell you which decisions to make. It’s to help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions that feel right for you and your family.
Birth can be unpredictable, and plans sometimes change. Whether your labor unfolds exactly as you hoped or takes an unexpected turn, my commitment remains the same. I’ll continue to support you, answer your questions, and help you navigate whatever comes next.
How We’ll Work Together
Initial Consultation
Our first meeting is an opportunity to get to know one another. We’ll talk about your pregnancy, your hopes for birth, any concerns you have, and what you’re looking for in a doula. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, and together we’ll decide whether we’re a good fit.
Prenatal Preparation
Once you’ve decided to move forward, we’ll begin preparing for your birth. During our prenatal visits, we’ll discuss your birth preferences, explore comfort techniques, review your options, and talk through different scenarios so you feel more prepared for whatever your birth may bring.
On-Call Support
Beginning at 38 weeks, I’ll be on call for your birth around the clock. You can reach out with questions as labor begins, and we’ll stay in contact as we determine the best time for me to join you.
Labor & Birth
Once active labor is underway, I’ll join you wherever you’ve planned to give birth. Throughout labor, I’ll provide continuous support, offer comfort measures, help you understand what’s happening, and remain by your side until after your baby is born.
Postpartum Follow-Up
After you’ve had time to settle in at home, we’ll reconnect for a follow-up visit. We’ll process your birth experience, answer any new questions, check in on your recovery, and talk about any additional support or community resources that may be helpful.
What’s Included
Every birth is different, so the support you receive will be tailored to your individual needs.
Birth Doula Support includes:
- Two Prenatal visits
- Birth preferences planning
- Text and email support throughout pregnancy
- On-call availability beginning at 38 weeks
- Continuous support throughout labor and birth
- Comfort measures and position suggestions
- Support for your partner or support person
- Immediate postpartum support after birth
- One postpartum follow-up visit
- Referrals to trusted community resources when appropriate
$1,500 Investment
Payment plans are available
Need additional support? Extra prenatal and postpartum visits are available at the following rates:
- Additional prenatal visit: $125 (up to 2 hours)
- Additional postpartum visit: $45/hour (three-hour minimum)
Who I Support
Every birth is unique, and every family deserves care that respects their values and goals. Whether your birth looks exactly as you imagined or takes an unexpected turn, I’m here to support you without judgment.
I provide birth doula support for:
- Hospital births
- Birth center births
- Home births
- First-time parents
- Growing families
- Teen parents
- Single parents
- LGBTQ+ individuals and families
Don’t see yourself on this list? Please reach out. Every family’s story is unique, and I’d be happy to talk with you about your needs and whether my services are the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The earlier we begin working together, the more time we have to build a relationship and prepare for your birth. Many families hire a doula during the second trimester, but support is available at any point in pregnancy, depending on availability.
Absolutely! Doulas support all types of births. Whether your plans stay the same or change along the way, my role is to provide steady support, help you understand your options, and be there for you throughout the experience.
Yes! A doula doesn’t replace your partner or support person. I work alongside them, offering guidance and encouragement so they can focus on supporting you with confidence.
Have another question?
Visit the FAQs page to explore more common questions about birth doula support, postpartum care, and my services.
Ready to connect?
Choosing a doula is a personal decision, and finding someone who feels like the right fit matters. A free consultation gives us the opportunity to get to know one another, talk about your hopes for birth, and answer any questions you may have. If we decide we’re a good fit, I’d be honored to support you on your journey.
Gillian Riffe | Pittsburgh Birth & Postpartum Doula 