Birth Doula for the Lancaster Area

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.

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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*

Classic Doula Package
$800

  • 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 37 weeks until the birth of your baby

 

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

 

  • 1 in home postpartum visit (between 1-3 weeks postpartum)

Premium Doula Package
$1000

  • 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

​

  • Access to helpful resources and my birth library

​

  • 24 hour on-call phone and text support starting 37 weeks until the birth of your baby

​

  • 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

ARE THERE OTHER PERKS?

You will receive a 20% discount on a birth class. 

" 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."

Nervous About Adding a “Stranger” to your Birth Team?

I understand it can be intimidating to invite someone you don’t yet know into your birthing space. This is why I offer a FREE CONSULTATION to make sure we are a good fit for each other, discuss your goals for your pregnancy and birth, and answer any questions you might have.

What is a Doula?

A birth doula is a childbirth professional who offers emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing woman. 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!



Why do I Need a Doula?

Good question! Maybe you’re feeling a little nervous about birth. As a doula, I help you identify and eliminate fears to achieve your dream birth. (Click here to learn how fear impacts the birthing body.) Or, perhaps you have an idea of the kind of birth you’re desiring but not sure how to get there. I provide you the tools to craft a birth plan and prepare you for it. Maybe you’re completely confident in your birth plan and excited for birth. Guess what? Doulas still offer you incredible benefits! I strive for communication with the medical staff to carry out your birth plan, I am an extra set of hands to give your partner a chance to relax and rest, and I am there every step of the way to provide comfort measures, information, and reassurance.



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!



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 area (geographically) do you cover?

I currently service all of Lancaster Country and surrouning areas including: Reading. York. and Harrisburg. Arrangements for those outside of these limits can be discussed.



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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©2018 by Every Birth Lancaster

all photos by: Meagan Nicole & Heather Gascon