Services
Here for you.
miscarriage
&
stillbirth
No matter how far along you are when you give birth, no matter if your baby is expected to live or has already passed away, no matter which way your baby is born, your birth is still birth, and your needs and wants matter. Loss births can be more challenging for medical professionals to support, as so much of their focus during pregnancy and childbirth is on the health of the baby. I am trained to provide doula support in these circumstances, from the moment you receive a diagnosis or determination of death to well after your baby is born. Please reach out as soon as you're ready.
planning
In the wake of receiving news of an expected or known loss, many families feel overwhelmed and confused by all of the information they’re faced with. There are so many choices to make, and often, families are pressured to make these choices quickly, if they are even informed that they have any choice at all. As a birth professional, I can help you create a birth plan — for any trimester — as well as a plan for saying goodbye to your baby. This usually takes the form of a discussion of your background, desires, and options, after which we create a written plan, that you then take to your health care provider. These services are also available in an expected live birth and are a standard part of my doula services.
live birth
If you are expecting a live birth — regardless of if you have experienced any previous loss — and are considering hiring a doula, I invite you to consider The Olive Tree as one of your doula options. Though I started out providing bereavement support, I am also trained to provide live birth doula support, and would be happy to discuss your options with you.
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memory
making
No matter when your baby was born or at what gestational age, no matter if you carry your baby in your arms or in your heart, it is valuable to create tangible reminders of your pregnancy, adoption process, and/or your baby’s time on earth. I can help you create tangible reminders individually or suggest ideas you can pursue on your own. This can range from traditional items like hats and footprints to teddy bears made from your baby’s clothing or art prints of your baby’s name.
immediate
support
If you are experiencing a pregnancy or infant loss right now and need compassionate support and advice, please reach out through one of the following options. I provide this service at no charge.
(in labor/actively miscarrying)
Clicking this link will prompt you to call me; please do so (regardless of time of day) to ensure I can connect with you right away.
(expected or known fetal/neonatal demise, not currently in labor; long-term grief support)
sibling
doula
When parents are preparing for birth and already have living children at home, a sibling doula serves as on-call support for the siblings of the child being born. Sibling doulas are on call 24/7 just like a birth doula, and provide specialized support for your children, either in your home or at your birth location (if giving birth away from home). This support includes 1-2 prenatal visits with you and your children, basic childcare & food prep, emotional support and preparation for welcoming a new sibling, and a postpartum playdate. If you are preparing for a bereavement birth, this service also includes helping to prepare your children for meeting, making memories with, and saying goodbye to their sibling, as well as coordinating long-term family and child grief support.
Pricing
I do not charge for loss births. This is not because your birth isn't a "real" birth (it is), or because your baby does not matter (they do), but because families facing loss often have more and larger unexpected expenses than those who are not, and I do not want money to be a barrier to accessing loss support. I do ask that, if you are able, you reimburse me for expenses (such as parking, memory-making supplies, or supplies for miscarriage at home), but your ability to pay for these things does not change whether or not I can provide support.
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Sometimes families find it meaningful to pay some or all of my full rate as a memorial or pay-it-forward fund. This is never required or expected, and always greatly appreciated, no matter the amount or how recently we worked together. Simply let me know that you'd like to do so and I'll let you know which ways I can accept payment. You are also welcome to write a note to the next loss family I serve, whether or not you choose to pay, if it feels right for your family.
That being said, many people want to know what the “expected” fee is. While my full rate for live births is $950, I offer up to half off my full rate for live birth clients. I am also more than willing to set up a payment plan, and I am open to bartering depending on the service. Over half my clients have utilized an alternate rate or payment schedule! I am also able to run HSA/FSA card swipes through Square or provide you a detailed invoice for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA or insurance if needed.