Doula Care and Services

Labor Doula Care

In sharing so much time with prenatal yoga moms, working with couples together through childbirth education and preparation workshops, including breast feeding, newborn baby care and happiest baby on the block, for Debra, being able to provide physical, emotional, informational and non-judgmental support beginning in early labor, through birth and early postpartum is both an honor and blessing. I would like to thank each and every couple for honoring me in sharing this most amazing, intimate experience, the birth of your baby. I am proud to be part of the Miami-Dade & Broward Communities working closely with OB/GYN's, Hospital Staff and Midwives in all birth settings.

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During postpartum care, Debra is there at your home either daytime or night, to help bridge the beginnings of parenthood with newborn baby care, meal planning, gentle massage, tea time, breast feeding support (together with a lactation specialist on hand),  light housekeeping and more. Postpartum Doula Care (below) will give the details.

Some benefits of Doula Care:

• Achieving a more relaxed comfortable birth using all of the above-mentioned techniques therefore avoiding drugs and potential major abdominal surgery
• 50% reduction in cesarean rate
• Reduced duration of labor
• 40% reduced use of pitocin
• Reduced use of forceps and vacuum extraction
• Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection
• Fewer episiotomies
• Increased chance of successful breastfeeding
• Increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth

The Role of a Doula

Your doula is there to help you through childbirth with love, physical, emotional and informational support. Providing continuous reassurance emotionally throughout this time. A doula specializes in non-medical skills, such as massage, breathing techniques, position changes and perform no clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams etc.  A doula does not make any decisions for her clients and does not project personal values & goals upon a laboring mother. With many possibilities of how labor may begin, at home, with your fluid intact, or maybe the membranes release and you have no contractions...what to do? There are things to be aware of and questions your doula will go over with you at the prenatal visit which takes place approximately three weeks prior to the EDD (estimated due date). 

If there is no medical reason for rushing to the hospital, establishing labor contractions and a labor pattern may benefit a mother so the body and baby have a chance to "start the journey". Even if a mother knows that she may want medication during her labor, spending early labor in the comfort of your own home, with your doula and birth companion, allows mom to relax, rest in between contractions, establish a good labor pattern, be comfortable, eat and drink. This helps her to avoid pitocin (artificial oxytocin) to re-establish or augment her labor pattern once at the hospital. Early labor does not necessarily bear the need for medication, so comfort measures work great during this time instead of pain medication if this is your choice. Your doula will work with you using relaxed breathing techniques, comfort positions, her loving touch, energy and more...

Once at the hospital, having your doula with you allows for constant support. Nurses can be very supportive;  yet it is unusual for you to be her only patient.  Her time spent in your room is used to assess and document your well being and that of your baby. Some nurses are not trained in alternative techniques and hands-on support for comfort so are more likely to suggest medication instead of trying alternative, non-medicated techniques for discomfort.  Also, nurses change shifts so during a long labor you may see several nurses, but knowing that your doula will remain with you constantly through all of those changes can be very reassuring to mother. You may even see a different caregiver from the one that was on call when you began your labor!  The doctor/ midwife is called in on occasion and usually is there when mother is ready to actually bring baby into the world.

Do health insurance companies pay for doula services?

Some insurance companies cover doula services, and the numbers are increasing gradually as providers are beginning to recognize the benefits of improving parental satisfaction and the savings when parents employ a doula for their birth. Insurance companies are more likely to pay if the OB/Midwife writes a prescription for professional labor support and/or postpartum home health care.  Also, if a doula provides doula care/services with a birth center and midwife,  together as a reimbursable service, this can increase the chance for coverage. If your doula is also a childbirth educator providing both services the insurance companies may reimbursement for either the doula care service, childbirth education provided or both.

Also, postpartum home health care is something covered by insurance companies so ask Debra for more information if you are interested in postpartum doula/home care.

Cost of Doula care: Some Insurance Companies have been reimbursing 60-75% of Doula Care Service, and now Doula Care Service is more acknowledged than ever, saving them thousands of dollars. Please ask Debra about the form to submit to your insurance company.
Debra provides INSURANCE CLAIM FORMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW WITH BETTER QUALIFICATIONS TO HAVE YOUR LABOR DOULA CARE SERVICE COVERED.  PRO BONO SERVICE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

Labor Doula - Care Cost

Ultimately, it is most important that Any mother has the support she wants during labor and birth so I am happy to work with each family, client individually and adjust pricing if necessary. Please feel free to call Debra to discuss. 

$750.00 includes: prenatal home visit approximately (3) weeks prior to EDD, constant telephone communication, early at home support continuing care at home, birth center or hospital throughout birth of your baby and one-hour postpartum, assisting with breast-feeding and comfort. Also includes follow-up postpartum visit within two weeks after birth. If Postpartum Doula Care is requested, will be there when needed.

Please return form with $200.00 (non-refundable) deposit. Deposit is applied to total cost of Doula care. Balance due on prenatal home visit. ($50.00 added for North Miami & Broward County locations). There is additional hourly fee after a (12) hour period.

Please feel free to contact Debra with any questions. (305) 498-6722.

Check or Money Order to:
Debra Geymayr
P.O. Box 143663
Miami , FL 33114

What is the typical salary range for a Newborn Specialist/Postpartum Doula?
The average salary range for a Newborn Specialist/Postpartum Doula Care is $15 to $35 per hour if under 24 hours. Multiples are the same.

What fees can I expect to pay?
There is a one-time $100 registration fee that is processed upon receipt of your Agreement. In addition to the registration fee, there is a first payment of 25% of the anticipated total gross compensation for care which is due when a Newborn Specialist/Postpartum Doula is confirmed for the assignment. Fees are paid based on the anticipated total gross compensation for the entire period of employment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended.

What's the next step?
Debra looks forward to assisting you with your Newborn Baby!! or Babies!! Call us Monday - Saturday, 8:30am - 9:00pm EST, to speak with Debra and arrange a Personal meeting at your home.