Laurel Guimaraes, MS, RDN, CBE
Atlanta, Georgia
NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, doula services will remain closed until further notice. Nutrition counselling is still available.
Services
Free Consultation
Consultations are always free! Let's meet up and get a cup of tea while we discuss your expectations and wishes, and while you get a chance to get to know me in person.
Phone & Email Support
During pregnancy and afterwords, you may have questions, concerns, or wish to find resources. You may always reach out to me with any questions, and I will answer as soon as possible.
2 Prenatal Visits
Prenatal visits are included with birthing services, and I will get a chance to understand your specific needs and desires.
24 Hour On-Call Support
In the last few weeks of your pregnancy, I will remain on call for the arrival of your baby. During this time you may reach out to me at all hours, and I will be prepared to talk you through the first contractions and to leave to be at your side if you so desire.
During labor
During labor I will serve as physical and emotional support, as well as advocating for your birthing plan specifics.
As a Doula, I Do Not:
Perform any clinical tasks
While I am there for physical support, I am not a doctor nor a midwife, so you still will need a medical professional to perform clinical tasks during birth.
Postpartum follow-up visit
Part of the birth doula package includes a postpartum visit where I will check in on you and your new baby, help with breastfeeding, and answer any questions that you may have.
Make decisions for you
As a doula, I advocate for your decisions and make sure that you are heard, but all decisions about your body, your baby, and your birth are yours to determine.
Nutrition Support
As I am a nutritionist, at any time you may request nutritional support and coaching.
Project any of my own beliefs onto your experience
I am here for you! Not to make you believe what I believe. Whatever your beliefs and customs are, I will support them and make sure that your birth team is also aware of them so that you feel comfortable, respected, and un-judged.
Postpartum Services
Includes at home support where you are taken care of so that you have time to spend taking care of your baby. Possible options may include breastfeeding support, belly binding, and nutrition care depending on your specific wishes.
Prenatal Massage
Zen Birth Doula will soon be offering prenatal massage for expecting parents as well as massage for postpartum.
Belly and Bust Casting
If you want to keep your pregnant belly forever, you can make a plaster mold of your belly/bust! I am also an artist so I also offer painting the belly castings if you like.
Bengkung Belly Binding
Benkung belly binding helps to combat postpartum depression and helps to bring your abdominal muscles back into place. It is a gentler alternative to using a corset or waist trainer in a time when comfort is essential. Benkung binding comes with a wrap, and this service is included in almost all of my packages.
Childbirth Education
Zen Birth Doula will soon offer childbirth education classes which will ensure that parents are fully educated and informed about all birth options and processes.
Packages
Prenatal Consultation Only
Free phone/email consult followed by a face to face interview. Includes 1 prenatal to discuss labor positions, comfort techniques and to review a birth plan together. Together as a birth team, we develop The Slow Birthing Method. A postpartum follow up within the first 2 weeks of discharge, lasting 1-2 hours to process the birth story, access breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and newborn adjustment. Unlimited phone and email support is included upon hire and through the 4th trimester.
Birth Support Only
On call after 38 weeks of pregnancy. 24/7 phone and email support in case of onset of labor. Emotional and physical support during the birthing time, as well as assistance in labor positions, and access to a birthings professional's support for the duration of your birthing time. Initial breastfeeding support is also included for normal breastfeeding conditions.
Basic Birth Package
Free phone/email consult followed by a face to face interview. Includes 1 prenatal to discuss labor positions, comfort techniques and to review a birth plan together. Together as a birth team, we develop The Slow Birthing Method on call for labor and delivery starting at 38 weeks, labor and birth support, basic breastfeeding support after delivery to initiate the first latch and 1 postpartum follow up visit once discharged, lasting 1-2 hours to process the birth story, access breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and newborn adjustment. Bengkung belly wrapping is also included (wrap of your choice is included in the price) where I will wrap you and teach you how to wrap yourself if desired. Unlimited phone and email support is included upon hire and through the 4th trimester
The Birth & Nutrition Package
Free phone/email consult followed by a face to face interview. Includes 2 prenatal visits to discuss labor positions, comfort techniques, to review a birth plan together and as a birth team develop The Slow Birthing Method. This package included a monthly nutrition session to help achieve your nutrition goals and ensure proper prenatal nutrition (8 months). If I was hired late on in the pregnancy 8 sessions are still included and will carry over into postpartum. On call for labor and delivery starting at 37 weeks, labor and birth support, present up to an 2 hours after delivery to initiate the first latch and provide other support. Bengkung belly wrapping is also included (wrap of your choice is included in the price) where I will wrap you and teach you how to wrap yourself if desired. Included are also 2 postpartum follow up visits, 1 immediate postpartum to provide various supports and processing and the 2nd to continue to access breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and newborn adjustment. Unlimited phone and email support is included upon hire and through the 4th trimester
Postpartum Care
Includes general care for parents while you take care of your baby. The main goal of postpartum care is to ensure that the parent(s) are rested, fed, and allowed time for personal hygiene and bathing. Examples of postpartum assistance includes breastfeeding assistance, meal preparation, grocery shopping, helping to bathe your baby, baby nail cutting, general tidying up, and providing emotional support to the parent(s). Packages: 20hr, 16hr, and 12 hr. All postpartum packages come with a bengkung belly wrap and one prepared sitz bath.
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Note: “General cleaning” means a quick tidying up and organization, not a deep clean.
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Price: $45/hr
Prenatal and Postpartum Nutrition Package
Includes a monthly nutrition session to help achieve your nutrition goals and ensure proper prenatal nutrition (12 months). The meetings can be face-to-face, skype/facetime, or phone call.
Birth, Postpartum, & Nutrition Package
A free phone/email consult followed by a face to face interview. Includes 2 prenatal visits to discuss labor positions, comfort techniques, to review a birth plan together and as a birth team develop The Slow Birthing Method. On call for labor and delivery starting at 37 weeks, labor and birth support, breastfeeding support up to 2 hours after delivery to initiate the first latch and assistance getting settled in postpartum room, 1 postpartum visit upon discharge, and ongoing support through the 4th trimester alongside a 12 hour postpartum package. Bengkung belly wrapping is also included (wrap of your choice is included in the price) where I will wrap you and teach you how to wrap yourself if desired. This package included a monthly nutrition session to help achieve your nutrition goals and ensure proper prenatal nutrition (8 months and during any time during the 12 hours of postpartum). Unlimited phone and email support is included upon hire and through the 4th trimester.