Professional Labor Support Want to have a trained labor support person (a doula) at your birth? Having a doula at her birth has been shown in numerous studies to increase a laboring woman's comfort, promote bonding with her baby, ease establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding, as well as dramatically reduce her desire for and use of pain medications, medical interventions, and need for cesarean section. Your doula's goal is to understand the type of birth you want to have and to help you meet your goals.
'Doula' means servant
For first time parents especially, the process of birth is unfamiliar and can be overwhelming. Having a trained, knowledgeable person as your personal masseuse, gofer, advisor, extra set of hands, or just a friendly, encouraging presence can make an incredible difference to both mother and father. Not a replacement for the father, the doula's job is to add additional support to that given by the father, and to free him up to give the type of support that comes naturally to him.
Professional Labor Support with a Personal Touch
Christelle J. K. Hagen, CCE, HCHD, FE
(Stillwater, MN)--please note: Christelle is now on maternity leave and will no longer be able to provide labor support
Director of St. Croix Birth & Parenting; Hypnobabies® Certified Doula; childbirth educator (Apple Tree Family Ministries); fertility educator; student midwife
Christelle Hagen, CCE, FE (pictured at left with her elder son) is a certified doula, childbirth educator and fertility educator, and the Director/Owner of St. Croix Birth & Parenting. Her mission is to help women and couples to "birth with dignity and to parent with joy"!
Prenatal Services.
A free no-obligation consultation. If you wish, you are welcome to set up an appointment to meet with Christelle in order to determine if both parties think the connection is a good fit for your birth.
Once an agreement has been made, Christelle will meet with expectant moms or couples once or twice prior to the birth, in order to get to know each other better, to understand your goals for your birth experience, and to answer any questions you might have. It is best if this visit(s) take place in your home, so that Christelle is certain she knows the way to your home and so that you can show the "lay of the land" prior to the birth. She will also provide suggestions and resources for optimal physical preparation for childbirth.
Christelle also offers natural childbirth education and breastfeeding preparation classes. You are welcome to take classes from Christelle, though it is not required!
Labor and Birth Services.
Christelle offers emotional and physical support for laboring moms and is available to be an extra pair of hands for hospital and home births. She is a strong advocate for natural childbirth and offers a calm, encouraging presence. Christelle is familiar with a variety of strategies to help encourage the normal birthing process, and will provide suggestions for natural coping and relaxation techniques.
Postpartum Services.
- Christelle will meet with you several times after your birth to help you integrate your birth experience, to answer your questions, to help ease your transition to parenthood, and to encourage you! (She'll also throw in some laundry or help play with older siblings if desired!) Christelle has received special training in helping women to establish successful breastfeeding and provides free breastfeeding counseling, having successfully nursed 4 children from birth through early childhood. Included among her postpartum services is an herbal bath blend, prepared by Christelle--and her "Babymoon Bliss!" postpartum herbal teas/infusions, 5 successive weeks of herbal teas specifically designed to encourage healthy recovery from childbirth.
Fees
- Labor and birth doula services: $300
- (If you desire to have Christelle meet you once labor is established and stay through the birth, choose Labor and Birth only)
- Full prenatal, birth and postpartum doula services: $400
- If you have a financial need, scholarship assistance may be available. Ask when you inquire!
Interested in finding out more? Contact us!
Christelle agrees with the St Croix Birth & Parenting Philosophies of Care:
- related to fertility: yes
- related to childbirth: yes
- related to parenting: yes
Certified Doula Affiliates Program!
St. Croix Birth & Parenting now provides information about services offered by Christian certified doulas who share our
Philosophy of Care. We are excited to offer this opportunity for women in our area!
Catherine McDonald (Hudson, WI)
Certified Doula candidate (DONA); St Croix Birth & Parenting-affiliated Doula
Catherine offers full doula services, including 2 lengthy prenatal visits, continuous support throughout active labor and birth, and 2 postpartum visits. She provides a variety of services, including emotional and physical support, massage, comfort, suggestions for relaxation and pain coping tools and strategies (including back pain), digital photography, prayers, baby blessings, newborn care counsel, postpartum care, and breastfeeding counsel. Her independent doula practice is called, "A Doula for You," and her motto is, "Every mother deserves the very best." Catherine generously volunteers her doula expertise, if needed.
"My passion in life is to educate women about their bodies and how God has designed them to work, empowering women to make choices surrounding their birth experience with confidence. I am a Christian wife and mother of 2 boys who are full time in school now. We have lived in Hudson, WI since 1999 along with my husband's family. I love to garden, cook gourmet food, photograph nature and read books."
Catherine agrees with the St Croix Birth & Parenting Philosophies of Care:
Catherine's contact information is located on our "Resources" page, under Pregnancy & Birth, in the Doulas section. Click here.