★★★★★
WONDERING IF HIRING A DOULA IS
REALLY WORTH IT? TRUST ME, IT IS.
“I don't know what we would have done without April, especially as first-time parents. There are always details that come up during labor, and it's such a relief to have that extra person there to support you physically and emotionally. April goes above and beyond and will help put you at ease.”
MICHELLE
BIRTH DOULA
During pregnancy, your doulas function as a sounding board for all your thoughts and questions. We stand ready to listen, reflect, and facilitate because we believe you know what is best for you and your baby. From the moment early labor begins, we’re just a call away. We provide emotional and informational aid and swiftly transition into steadfast physical support when needed. After the birth, we assist with early bonding practices to ensure you and your partner are taken care of and guide you through your baby's first feed. This comprehensive support extends into postpartum check-ins and a follow-up appointment, ensuring all your questions are answered.
Above the Waves, Doulas provide:
Informational Support: Our doulas share unbiased, evidence-based information, empowering you to make informed decisions.
Emotional Support: We listen and offer encouragement during this time, providing compassionate support for you and your partner.
Physical Support: Our doulas are experts in comfort measures, ensuring your physical well-being throughout labor and beyond.
Working in teams and utilizing a shared call schedule, we guarantee consistent availability. This assurance, combined with attending prenatal visits, allows us to build an invaluable connection with you. This is an exciting time in your life. No matter your birth plan, we are committed to helping you enjoy it with our professional, nonjudgmental support!
POSTPARTUM DOULA
The arrival of a new baby is a joyous occasion, but it can also be overwhelming. Trying to find answers in a sea of opinions can leave you confused and unsure. Our postpartum doulas are here to help you navigate all the newborn questions with nonjudgmental, evidence-based information and remove some of the barriers you may have for bonding with your baby.
We provide emotional encouragement on the toughest days to help families thrive!
Above the Waves, Postpartum Doulas assist with:
Feeding: Experienced in both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, we're here to help with the method that suits your family best.
Sleeping: Whether you need overnight care or daytime baby care for some much-needed rest, we're available to help.
Physical & Emotional Care: From handling newborn questions to aiding in postpartum recovery, we ensure you get the rest and support you need.
Sibling Adjustment: The arrival of a new baby can be challenging for siblings. We can ease the transition, ensuring they feel loved and included.
Meal Prep: Maintaining nourishment is crucial during postpartum recovery. We're available to prepare snacks, start dinner, or run grocery errands.
Household Tasks: Focus on what matters while we manage laundry, dishes, and tidying. This way, you can enjoy more moments with your baby.
MASSAGE THERAPY
We offer in-home mobile massage therapy.
Growing a human is a lot of work! Your body will thank you for getting a prenatal massage. When you’re pregnant, your center of gravity shifts, and your back, neck, shoulders, and abdominal muscles are under a lot of stress. Pelvic joints are less stable, and you are sore and swollen.
Our licensed massage therapist knows which spots to aim for and which areas and techniques to avoid during pregnancy.
Benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy and postpartum
Helps to ease muscle aches and pains
Reduce swelling
Improve sleep quality
Regulate hormone levels
Lower stress and anxiety levels
Alleviate back and nerve pain
The benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy are numerous. So, hopefully, it’s already a part of your regular routine. If not, consider making it. You know you deserve it!
CHILDBIRTH CLASSES
Convenient private classes to fit your busy schedule.
At Above the Waves, our How, When, & Why Childbirth Education is designed to fit every birthing parent. We provide expecting parents with the knowledge they need to feel prepared and confident when the big day comes, regardless of how they choose to give birth.
Our one-day, 6 hour How, When, & Why Childbirth Curriculum will leave you and your birth partner confident about the stages of birth and how to communicate your needs and will provide you and your partner with the tools to help you stay as comfortable as possible throughout the entire labor and birth process.
This class will cover:
Anatomy and How It All Works Together During Labor and Birth
The Labor Process and Stages of Labor
Common Pregnancy testing
Pain Relief Options (Both Medicated and Non-Medicated)
Positions for Labor and Birth
Interventions
What to Expect During the First Hour After Birth
PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION
Placenta consumption, a centuries-old practice, is now becoming a popular option. You can add placenta encapsulation to your postpartum recovery tool kit in order to ease the transition.
Many women who choose placenta encapsulation experience the following:
Improved postpartum mood
Increased milk supply
A faster postpartum recovery
More energy
Overall better balancing of hormones following birth
The benefits of ingesting your placenta have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration
While there has not been an abundance of research on the subject, we do know that it is made up of many hormones and minerals that are beneficial to the postpartum period. The anecdotal evidence of the benefits of consuming one’s placenta to the postpartum period is impossible to ignore.
Our Placenta Specialists are professionally trained, certified for blood-borne pathogens, and strictly follow safe food prep handling guidelines.