I am a Certified Birth Doula through DONA International.
What Is A Doula?
The Greek word doula means woman caregiver.
We now use the word to describe a trained and experienced labor companion
who provides the woman and her husband or partner continuous emotional support,
physical comfort and assistance in obtaining information
before, during and just after childbirth.
- -DONA International
Doulas:
- provide additional labor & birth support (they do not take the place of the significant other) -
- provide prenatal, labor, birth and postpartum support
- listen
- encourage
- support YOUR choices
- remind you of your choices and why you made them when you have doubt
- provide emotional support
- provide physical comfort (massage, positioning and other techniques)
- communicate with staff to make sure you have the information needed to make informed decisions
- provide reassurance
- add perspective
- make suggestions for labor progress
- aid in relaxation
Doulas Do Not:
- perform clinical tasks
- make decisions for you
- speak to the staff on your behalf
- provide transportation to or from the hospital
- ride to the hospital in a client’s vehicle
Why I Decided to become a Doula
I have been drawn to pregnancy, babies and the love that surrounds new life for as long as I can remember. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and so looked forward to the birth of my son. It was after his birth that I realized being a doula was for me! Labor did not go as planned and the natural birth that I wanted turned into a c-section that was far from what I had envisioned. When it was over and the dust had settled, I grew a desire to do all I could to make birth a wonderful experience for everyone who wanted it. I hope to do this by giving couples knowledge, confidence, comfort and support through their pregnancy, labor, birth and transition into becoming new parents. I would love to help you to have an incredible birth experience by being your DOULA!
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{The Birth of My Son Ryker} Photos by Haven Photography
What my services include
answer any questions you have about me or my services
*I attend home and hospital births. |
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Dads & Doulas
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Husbands are not doulas. Doulas are not husbands.
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"As a first time dad I had no idea what I needed to do for my wife when she went into labor. Brianna was a great coach for me. She would do things to help relax my wife during contractions and I would follow her lead. She was great! I would recommend her to anyone who needed assistance with labor, especially first timers!"
-Nate
“I think [Brianna] was very helpful through the whole birthing process.”
-Dan
-Nate
“I think [Brianna] was very helpful through the whole birthing process.”
-Dan
What moms are saying
"Brianna was great during my labor! She managed to keep me calm and helped me get through every single contraction for 11 hours! I couldn't have asked for anyone better to get me through my first delivery!"
-Michelle
I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in May of 2015. I had been contemplating hiring a doula for a long time. Many of my family and friends didn’t understand, but for me (someone who has a lot of anxiety) I really wanted one person in the delivery room that was there for me and who could stay calm! The first birth I had ever experienced was going to be my own so this was a completely new experience! I wanted someone there who had experienced it, could provide information to me as well as my family members. I knew that would help my anxiety and it did! Brianna Bracy met with me prior to the birth and we discussed my birth plan. I was honest and up front with her (that I don’t like pain and am anxious in medical situations). She was never judgmental and really listened to what I wanted out of my birthing experience. I told her I needed information, and I needed support but that I also wanted her to help my husband and family throughout the process! I wasn’t sure how my husband was going to do and I wanted her to offer him support and suggestions as well She was very willing to do this! I had pro-dromal labor and called her several times thinking it was time to go! She was always supportive and checked on my frequently after the hospital sent me home each time. Finally the real thing happened and she was right there offering support to my husband and I, as my water was broken and the real work started. She made me feel so comfortable and she was so calm, her calm demeanor in turn helped me stay calm. Even though my birth plan initially was to wait and see as far as pain management went, at 5cm I was ready for an epidural. Brianna was so supportive even though I made this choice early. I also was pretty vocal and although I seemed to be making my family a bit uncomfortable I never felt any judgment from Brianna and felt supported even though I was being so vocal. Brianna is also a HUGE reason I was well hydrated throughout my birthing experience. She was always offering me water and encouraging me to drink, I probably would not have done this without her support as I was so focused on the birthing process and experience. Things progressed quickly after the epidural and I pushed for two hours. Brianna was so supportive not only to me but to my family who initially felt helpless while I was laboring. She gave them small tasks like placing cool washcloths on my head, getting things for me to drink and holding my legs at times. She also encouraged my husband to eat and drink so he could be there for me. I appreciated this most of all. I appreciated that Brianna gave my family members something to do so they felt like they were being helpful and part of the birthing process (and they were). I felt well taken care of. I was so engrossed in the birthing process I would not have been able to articulate my needs to them, and I didn’t have to, I had Brianna to be my voice when I couldn’t speak, when I didn’t even know what I needed. This was the most helpful aspect of having a doula. Her support, expertise and anticipation of my needs was incredible and made my birthing experience so much better than I ever expected. After the baby was born, everyone rushed over to see her, everyone except Brianna, she was right there holding my hand as they stitched me up. I had a minor complication and was bleeding a lot. I was very scared but Brianna who was knowledgeable of even this possibility and process assured me I was fine, going to be fine, and that the baby was fine as well. This helped me tremendously. If she hadn’t been there I would have been a lot more nervous as the doctor was engrossed in helping me and the nurses were busy with the baby. Her support was so helpful. She stayed until I had breast fed for the first time and left only after knowing I was okay, settled and in a good place mentally and physically. She came to visit my in the hospital and at my home when we returned home. I had a tough few weeks post partum after coming home and Brianna was right there offering me support with calls, texts and home visits. She went above and beyond my expectations of having a doula! On a side note I had also hired Brianna to be my birth photographer, she captured the story of my daughter’s birth very tastefully and it didn’t detract from her role as a doula, I don’t know how she did it, but she pulled it off amazingly! I love looking at the pictures of the day my daughter was born, and the story it tells. I was terrified of giving birth, Brianna listened to my fears, listened to my birth plan, assimilated all of the information I gave her, her knowledge and expertise and in turn I had a wonderful birth experience, so much better than I ever expected. I highly recommend all of her services, and if I decide to have another child, will hire Brianna as my doula. At first my family didn’t understand my need or desire for a doula, but in the end I know my husband and my mother were very grateful for Brianna’s presence and the role she played in the wonderful birthing experience of our daughter. My mother said over and over how glad she was I had Brianna there. Having a doula is the best thing a mother could have in her birth plan, and I highly recommend Brianna Bracy to be a part of your baby story!
-Kendra
-Michelle
I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in May of 2015. I had been contemplating hiring a doula for a long time. Many of my family and friends didn’t understand, but for me (someone who has a lot of anxiety) I really wanted one person in the delivery room that was there for me and who could stay calm! The first birth I had ever experienced was going to be my own so this was a completely new experience! I wanted someone there who had experienced it, could provide information to me as well as my family members. I knew that would help my anxiety and it did! Brianna Bracy met with me prior to the birth and we discussed my birth plan. I was honest and up front with her (that I don’t like pain and am anxious in medical situations). She was never judgmental and really listened to what I wanted out of my birthing experience. I told her I needed information, and I needed support but that I also wanted her to help my husband and family throughout the process! I wasn’t sure how my husband was going to do and I wanted her to offer him support and suggestions as well She was very willing to do this! I had pro-dromal labor and called her several times thinking it was time to go! She was always supportive and checked on my frequently after the hospital sent me home each time. Finally the real thing happened and she was right there offering support to my husband and I, as my water was broken and the real work started. She made me feel so comfortable and she was so calm, her calm demeanor in turn helped me stay calm. Even though my birth plan initially was to wait and see as far as pain management went, at 5cm I was ready for an epidural. Brianna was so supportive even though I made this choice early. I also was pretty vocal and although I seemed to be making my family a bit uncomfortable I never felt any judgment from Brianna and felt supported even though I was being so vocal. Brianna is also a HUGE reason I was well hydrated throughout my birthing experience. She was always offering me water and encouraging me to drink, I probably would not have done this without her support as I was so focused on the birthing process and experience. Things progressed quickly after the epidural and I pushed for two hours. Brianna was so supportive not only to me but to my family who initially felt helpless while I was laboring. She gave them small tasks like placing cool washcloths on my head, getting things for me to drink and holding my legs at times. She also encouraged my husband to eat and drink so he could be there for me. I appreciated this most of all. I appreciated that Brianna gave my family members something to do so they felt like they were being helpful and part of the birthing process (and they were). I felt well taken care of. I was so engrossed in the birthing process I would not have been able to articulate my needs to them, and I didn’t have to, I had Brianna to be my voice when I couldn’t speak, when I didn’t even know what I needed. This was the most helpful aspect of having a doula. Her support, expertise and anticipation of my needs was incredible and made my birthing experience so much better than I ever expected. After the baby was born, everyone rushed over to see her, everyone except Brianna, she was right there holding my hand as they stitched me up. I had a minor complication and was bleeding a lot. I was very scared but Brianna who was knowledgeable of even this possibility and process assured me I was fine, going to be fine, and that the baby was fine as well. This helped me tremendously. If she hadn’t been there I would have been a lot more nervous as the doctor was engrossed in helping me and the nurses were busy with the baby. Her support was so helpful. She stayed until I had breast fed for the first time and left only after knowing I was okay, settled and in a good place mentally and physically. She came to visit my in the hospital and at my home when we returned home. I had a tough few weeks post partum after coming home and Brianna was right there offering me support with calls, texts and home visits. She went above and beyond my expectations of having a doula! On a side note I had also hired Brianna to be my birth photographer, she captured the story of my daughter’s birth very tastefully and it didn’t detract from her role as a doula, I don’t know how she did it, but she pulled it off amazingly! I love looking at the pictures of the day my daughter was born, and the story it tells. I was terrified of giving birth, Brianna listened to my fears, listened to my birth plan, assimilated all of the information I gave her, her knowledge and expertise and in turn I had a wonderful birth experience, so much better than I ever expected. I highly recommend all of her services, and if I decide to have another child, will hire Brianna as my doula. At first my family didn’t understand my need or desire for a doula, but in the end I know my husband and my mother were very grateful for Brianna’s presence and the role she played in the wonderful birthing experience of our daughter. My mother said over and over how glad she was I had Brianna there. Having a doula is the best thing a mother could have in her birth plan, and I highly recommend Brianna Bracy to be a part of your baby story!
-Kendra
Investment
The cost of my doula services is $1000. Five hundred dollars is due at the signing of a contract and
the remaining balance is due by 36 weeks. Payment plans are available to meet individual needs.
the remaining balance is due by 36 weeks. Payment plans are available to meet individual needs.