Doula and Birth Photography Services

“Hiring Megan was the best decision I made during my pregnancy.”

-Diane H.

Let’s walk through what your journey with my support looks like…

During pregnancy…

  • Guidance to help you advocate for evidence-based care

  • Prenatal meetings to discuss your options, get to know each other, and practice comfort measures

  • Education about Spinning Babies techniques to help prepare for labor

  • Help finding care providers that align with your birth preferences

  • Birth planning

  • Continuous support from the moment we begin working together onward throughout pregnancy

  • Resources and referrals to other perinatal health professionals, such as pelvic floor physical therapists, massage therapists, prenatal yoga classes, etc.

  • Optional add-on: Childbirth Education classes (private or in a group setting)

During birth…

  • Physical support: counter pressure, massage, and suggestions of position changes that help ease labor

  • Knowledge of physiological birth and the appropriate use of interventions

  • Training and experience using Spinning Babies techniques to help encourage labor progress (with or without an epidural!)

  • Emotional support: confidence in you, reassurance for you and your partner, while providing full support of your decisions, and advocacy when needed

  • Continuity of care, meaning I’m with you throughout the labor process from start to finish

  • Optional add-on: Birth photography to document the emotions, details, and beauty of your birth story

During postpartum…

  • Feeding support and lactation knowledge to help support breastfeeding/chestfeeding

  • A postpartum visit to discuss the birth, check-in to see how you’re doing, and answer any newborn care questions

  • Phone/text/email support to make sure the transition to postpartum is going smoothly

  • Resources and referrals to lactation consultants, pelvic floor physical therapists, postpartum doulas, and other postpartum health professionals

  • New parent support groups at Illuminated Birth & Company

As your doula, I help prepare you for birth and postpartum. I listen to all your hopes and worries, and stand (or sit or squat or just breathe) with you, providing continuous one on one care throughout your journey from bump to baby.

The service options below give you an idea of what to expect when you work with me, but I will always tailor your support to what you need and want in your birth experience.

What’s the first step to secure my doula support? Click below or email me at megan@illuminatedbirth.com so we can get to know each other at a free consult.

 

Doula Support Package

Investment: $2,400

(usually divided into three payments)

  • 24/7 on-call support for labor and birth, starting at 38 weeks (or earlier, depending on your unique circumstances)

  • 2 prenatal meetings to discuss birth preferences, comfort measures, and more

  • Discussion of your health history and experiences that may affect your birth

  • Guidance about speaking to your medical care provider about your birth preferences

  • Prenatal support via phone/email

  • Postpartum planning

  • Postpartum support visit, lactation/feeding support

  • Postpartum phone/text support

Potential add-ons to doula support:

Birth Photography: Professional photos of your birth story and the first moments with your little one(s). Check out my portfolio here.

Childbirth Education: All doula clients also receive a discount on my Childbirth Education Class!


Other options…

  • If you are having a home birth, birth photography without full doula support (photography will be the focus) is also an option. Please inquire for more details.

  • If you have previously given birth and are interested in an option of only 1 prenatal meeting, please inquire for a reduced fee option.

  • Everything but the birth support… In other words, 1-2 prenatal meetings to help you and your partner prepare for birth and postpartum phone/text support.

  • Childbirth education classes add-on. Find out about upcoming classes here. Private 1:1 classes also available.


    Inquire for more details or to build your own custom support package with me!

FAQs

  • I offer hospital, birth center, and home birth doula support and birth photography primarily in Greater Boston, the surrounding suburbs, Worcester, and southern New Hampshire (Nashua area). I am open to traveling further in some cases and happy to help you find a doula near you if we determine the distance isn’t going to work!

  • Yes! Making doula support accessible to all is important to me. My fee is typically broken up into three payments, but other schedules may be offered as needed.

    Also, by offering a sliding scale discounted fee option in cases of need, I am able to help support folks at many different income levels. If you are able to pay my full fee comfortably, you are helping to support others seeking my doula services, as well as the growth and sustainability of a small (it’s just me!) woman-owned local business. Thank you!

  • Anna Jaques

    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    Boston Medical Center

    Brigham & Women’s

    Cambridge Health Alliance

    Emerson

    Mount Auburn

    Newton-Wellesley

    St. Elizabeth’s

    St. Joseph’s (Nashua)

    Tufts

    UMass Memorial in Worcester

    UMass Memorial in Leominster

  • Yes, I support births as a doula and birth photographer at your home (with a midwife in attendance) and out of hospital birth centers! I have attended births in a wide variety of settings and want to support you birthing wherever you feel safe!

  • Yes! I trained and certified with ToLABOR.

  • Typically only 3-4. I find that this is the “sweet spot” where I can dedicate a lot of time and love to each family!

  • 164 and counting!

  • Yes! Good backup support is important to make sure that you have an experienced, awesome doula by your side no matter what. I regularly work with a couple of the doulas from A Golden Birth. I also have a large network of trusted doulas to call upon throughout the Greater Boston area.

* I believe every birthing person should have access to a doula. If you are concerned about the fee, please reach out to discuss discounted rates or extended payment schedules.

 

Looking for a side of cozy, community, and camaraderie along with your doula support?

We host many groups, classes, and events at my community space, Illuminated Birth & Company, in Acton.

Find out more about our upcoming happenings here. Hope to see you there soon!