Welcome to the cny doula connection!
We are truly delighted that you’ve made the decision to have us as your doulas! It is such an honor to attend women and their families during this very special time and we do it with great joy! This page is filled with information about the practice and our philosophies. We’re happy to answer questions, should you have any after reading over this.
Contact us
We encourage you to call promptly if you have a question you need answered or if you have concerns that need some attention. The best way to reach us is by calling our cell phones. Please contact your doula directly, or call the office at (315) 707-8097.
our philosophy
Birth is a normal healthy experience. As doulas, we offer care supported by education, respect, and love. We believe that once they’re provided with all the information, women are the best at deciding what’s right for their bodies. Every woman has the right to safe, satisfying health care and every family has the right to participate in decisions regarding pregnancy and birth. Every pregnancy and birth is as different as the women experiencing them. For this reason, our care is catered to each woman as an individual. As doulas, we trust in the birth process; knowing that a woman who is relaxed and comfortable with her surrounding will have a more positive birth experience. We believe birth to be ideal when it is unhindered and undisturbed. Babies are meant to come through safely, gently and unharmed. We fully embrace that this is your birth and baby, not ours. We will not interfere with the mother-baby bonding after the birth.
doula-client confidentiality
Professional confidentiality will be upheld. Your privacy is a matter if great importance to this practice. Details and events known to any member of the birth team will not be discussed with anybody without your permission, unless they are discussed anonymously.
what to expect
- Unlimited group prenatal appointments to discuss your expectations for your birth, learn birth plan writing, review comfort measures and plan for your postpartum period
- Email/phone support throughout your pregnancy
- 24/7 phone and email availability to you from 38 weeks until one month after your birth
- Referrals to community services and resources
- Attendance at your birth and 1 to 2 hours after birth until you are comfortable and ready for some quiet time
- One postpartum visit in your home at 1-2 weeks to review your birth, discuss concerns
- Continuous breastfeeding support
Weekly Newsletters:
As our client, you will receive weekly informative newsletters starting at the end of your second trimester. We hope you take a minute to read each one and please feel free to discuss the topic with us further if questions arise. Depending on the email account you have, the newsletter may fall in your spam box or under the promotions tab. Let us know if you are not receiving the emails for any reason.
Group Prenatals:
We have three group prenatal topics that will be continuously taught on a monthly basis:
- Birth Planning. We discuss in detail decisions that you can make regarding your pregnancy, labor and immediate postpartum.
- Comfort Measures. We ask that you bring your birth ball and a yoga mat, as it is very hands-on. We will discuss and demonstrate techniques and positions to use in labor.
- Postpartum. We discuss breastfeeding, placenta encapsulation, and how to have a happy postpartum period.
You will walk away with handouts to add to your folder, and an item to take home that will be used in labor and postpartum. We meet the first Saturday of each month. Although these group prenatals are included in your doula service, we require you to register ahead of time through our website so we know how many people will be attending. Meetings are held on each the first Saturday each month, from 9am-noon, at Simpson Family Wellness, 4922 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse.
There are times clients are unable to attend one or all of the group prenatals due to scheduling. In circumstances such as this, all three topics will be discussed at your home visit.
Prenatal Home Visit:
This visit allows us to come to you and become familiar with your home. Regardless of whether you live in a studio apartment or a house, we assure you that there will be adequate space for anything we might do during our visits and for your birthing to unfold comfortably. Partners are encouraged to attend prenatal visits since they play an integral role in birthing and we want them to feel completely engaged in the birth of their child. Our prenatal visits are, in some ways, about team-building, for we truly become a team in birthing. If you are not partnered and we are your only birth person, then we can meet alone or you might wish to invite friends and family. If you have other children of any age, they are welcome to be present, especially if they will be attending your birth. We enjoy getting to know your family as a whole, so that we can blend into your home well during our time with you.
Postpartum Home Visit:
About a week or two after delivery, we will come to your home to check on you and baby. This is a also good time to review your birth experience and your unfolding journey as new parents, answer and baby related questions, and assist with breastfeeding.
payment information
Doula care is vitally important; not just to us, but also to the women we serve, the partners who love them and the babies they bear! Because it is important to us, we wholly invest our time and energy into making our services available and to serving those who desire them to the best of our abilities. As such, fair and timely compensation is only right. This is our calling and our passion. We love what we do. But, it is also the source of income that provides for our families and allows us to continue this work without compromising our philosophies!
Needless to say, we also don’t want a woman’s desire to experience a doula to become a financial hardship to her and her family. We understand that while our fees are within the market price, that this is a fairly large out-of-pocket expense. For that reason, we offer payment plans if needed. Such arrangements must be written up, agreed to and signed by both parties as a condition of CNY Doula Connection taking you on as a client.
Whatever the fees and terms, payments must be made in accordance with the agreed upon financial sheet and/or addendum. This means making full payments in the appropriate time frame.
Needless to say, we also don’t want a woman’s desire to experience a doula to become a financial hardship to her and her family. We understand that while our fees are within the market price, that this is a fairly large out-of-pocket expense. For that reason, we offer payment plans if needed. Such arrangements must be written up, agreed to and signed by both parties as a condition of CNY Doula Connection taking you on as a client.
Whatever the fees and terms, payments must be made in accordance with the agreed upon financial sheet and/or addendum. This means making full payments in the appropriate time frame.
testimonials and photos
Because we value you as a client, we would appreciate your feedback. With your permission, we would like to use your comments as a testimonial to help future clients understand how they can benefit from working with us, and why they should do so. Photos during labor, birth, and postpartum are also very welcomed!
HERE YOU WILL FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION, HANDOUTS, AND VIDEOS THAT WE WILL REFER TO AT OUR PRENATAL MEETINGS. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS NEEDED PRIOR TO EACH MEETING.
Birth Planning
Prior to the Birth Planning Prenatal meeting, please fill out the Birth Plan Checklist below and choose (and jot down) five birth affirmations
| Birth Plan Checklist |
| Birth Affirmations |
After the Birth Planning Prenatal meeting, please feel free to use the birth preference icons to create your visual birth plan
| Birth Plan Icons |
| Birth Plan Example |
Curious about delayed cord clamping? Watch this short video!
comfort measures
Please wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and bring with you a yoga mat (or small blanket) and a small pillow to the Comfort Measures Prenatal meeting.
We also encourage you to practice these three techniques daily with your partner
We also encourage you to practice these three techniques daily with your partner
| Handout Directions |
planning for your postpartum
Prior to the Planning for Your Postpartum Prenatal meeting, please watch the following (short) breastfeeding videos
