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Looking for a Birth Doula in the Lancaster, PA Area?
 

My name is Heather Gascon

I am a Certified Birth Doula located in Lancaster, PA passionate about empowering mothers to love their birth. This is such an exciting time for you and your partner and I am so excited you’re seeking doula care.

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Supporting expecting families in Lancaster, York, Harrisburg and surrounding areas.

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*Students of my birth class receive 20% discount on doula services*

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*Beginning in 2024, Homebirth families receive 30% discount on doula services*

A doula provides support and uninterrupted care for a woman in labor. I meet with the mother and her partner a few times before the birth. I will be in contact with you during early labor and will come to be with you when your labor has started establishing into active labor. I will accompany both you and your partner throughout the labor and birth.

 

I provide physical and emotional support, comfort and pain-coping measures, encouragement, and aid your partner in being able to support you to the best of his ability.  After the birth, I will visit you at your home to see if you need to debrief the birth or aid you with any resources you may need during the postpartum period. I bring a warm meal and am happy to sit with you or clean for you.

 

I deeply understand, trust, and respect the natural process of labor and birth. My goal is to support the emotional and physical journey of the mother and her partner. At all times I strive to provide the best possible experience for the family that I am supporting and ease their transition into parenthood.

Classic Doula Package
$1200
Premium Doula Package
$1500

  • Free Consultation
     

  • 1-2 personalized prenatal visits in the comfort of your home (this can include birth plan building, condensed birth class, a guided relaxation session and/or nesting phase partner, etc)

 

  • Continuous email and text support during pregnancy

 

  • Access to helpful resources and my birth library

 

  • 24 hour on-call phone and text support starting at 38 weeks until the birth of your baby
     

  • Continuous labor support beginning in active labor or early labor encouragement. Guidance on when to leave for birth place or call the midwife.

 

  • Immediate postpartum support following the birth of your baby until bonding is established

 

  • 1 in home postpartum visit (between 1-3 weeks postpartum) This includes a meal, discussing the birth, early help with breastfeeding, help with home chores, etc. 

  • Free Consultation

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  • 2- 4 personalized prenatal visits in the comfort of your home (this can include birth plan building, condensed birth class, a guided relaxation session and/or nesting phase partner, etc)
     

  • Continuous email and text support during pregnancy

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  • Access to helpful resources and my birth library

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  • 24 hour on-call phone and text support starting 38 weeks until the birth of your baby
     

  • Continuous labor support beginning in active labor or early labor encouragement. Guidance on when to leave for birth place or call the midwife.

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  • Immediate postpartum/lactation support following the birth of your baby until bonding is established

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  • 1-2 in home postpartum visit (between 1-3 weeks postpartum) This includes a meal, discussing the birth, early help with breastfeeding, help with home chores, etc. 

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  • Text/Call support as needed up to 6 weeks postpartum

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" A Doula is like a trail guide. Familiar with the path, she keeps you hiking through the hard parts, knowing the view at the end is incredible."

  • What is a Doula?
    A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant”. Throughout history and in much of the world today, a cadre of women support a woman through labor and birth, giving back rubs and providing continuous emotional support. Birth doulas build relationships with families throughout pregnancy and become a familiar face and trusted companion during the incredibly vulnerable and intimate time of labor. Nurses and doctors have an important role in the labor process, but they also have many women to monitor and care for. A birth doula’s focus is to support primarily the birthing woman and her partner. Every birth is different, but every birthing woman needs support, and a birth doula is there to give it! What is a doula? The perfect addition to your birth team!
  • Anything else I should know about you?
    During our initial interview or one of our prenatal appointments I usually ask if there are any spiritual or religious aspects you would like to have present during your labor and birth. If faith and prayer are important to your family then you should know that I am a Catholic Christian. I love bringing prayer into the birth space, if desired. I love praying with partners/families if desired. Prayer can be used during relaxation practice in pregnancy and can be very powerful during labor to ease any discomforts. This is not a requirement and I do not impose this on anyone who does not wish for it.
  • What does a Doula Do and Not Do?
    AS A DOULA, I WILL... -Accept the mother’s birth plan and assist her and her partner in carrying it out. -Be a constant encouraging and informational presence throughout the birth. -Offer physical comfort measures, emotional support, and unbiased information. -Encourage the partner to be the primary support throughout the birth while also assisting them when requested/necessary. AS A DOULA, I WILL NOT... -Contradict the mother’s choices and desires for her birth. -Perform any clinical tasks, medical exams, or give diagnoses. -Make any decisions for the mother. I facilitate clear communication between the mother and her care providers so she is able to make informed decisions.
  • What is the Evidence on having a Doula?
    https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ "Of all the ways birth outcomes could be improved, continuous labor support seems like one of the most important and basic needs for birthing people. Providing labor support to birthing people is both risk-free and highly effective. Evidence shows that continuous support can decrease the risk of Cesarean, the use of medications for pain relief, and the risk of a low five minute Apgar score. Labor support also increases satisfaction and the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth. Continuous support may also shorten labor and decrease the use of Pitocin. Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons. As such, doulas should be viewed by both parents and providers as a valuable, evidence-based member of the birth care team."
  • What is the Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife?
    Birth doulas and midwives play important, but very different roles on your birth team. If you choose a midwife over an OB, she/he will be your care provider: trained and certified to give you prenatal and postnatal care, and to deliver your baby. Many hospitals today use midwives, with almost 95% of midwife attended births occurring at hospitals, as opposed to birth centers or at home. While a midwife assists primarily in medical support, the doula acts as a labor coach and companion. Doulas offer continual one-on-one emotional, physical, and informational support from the onset of labor till baby is born. A doula will not perform any medical tasks; that’s the job of the midwife! Comfort measures, coping techniques, facilitating breathing, creating a calm birthing space, and more are all tasks the doula will be ready and excited to perform!
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Want To Know Why I Hired A Birth Doula?

CLICK HERE to read my blog about the 5 reasons why I hired a doula for my births.

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