Leanna Mae
A maternal-infant wellness educator,
birth doula, & lactation specialist
serving western Ohio
Proud to be a Christian business offering education and support
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Scroll to learn more about * What is a doula? * Why hire a doula? * Types of births I attend & families I serve * What do I do during a birth? * What I do not do * Services offered * Packages to choose from * Fees * Service areas of Ohio * Confidentiality * About me as a doula * Contact info |
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What is a doula?
Introductory definition: A doula is a professional support person for a birthing family. Doulas provide physical and emotional support during labor and delivery plus the early postpartum period. A doula is a seasoned guide to partner with while you walk the path of your birth journey.
They do:
They don’t:
Multiple hats: Some doulas have a medical background while others do not. Some nurses become doulas or take a doula training to improve their skills. Some midwives start out as doulas. Many doulas are also childbirth educators or other types of birth professionals. A lot of doulas are also trained in lactation support.
Variety of backgrounds: Doulas may be women or men who may or may not be parents themselves. Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds, family types, and birthing experiences.
Variety of philosophies: Each doula brings their own flavor. As individuals, doulas have their own philosophies and perspectives on reproductive health, maternity care, and infant care.
Common mission: Our common goal is to support birthing families and improve maternity care!
They do:
- Provide support
- Inform of resources
- Offer education
- Most support all types of births in all locations
They don’t:
- Provide medical care
- Make health decisions for the client
- Speak on behalf of the client
- Replace the dad or any family member (or good friend)
Multiple hats: Some doulas have a medical background while others do not. Some nurses become doulas or take a doula training to improve their skills. Some midwives start out as doulas. Many doulas are also childbirth educators or other types of birth professionals. A lot of doulas are also trained in lactation support.
Variety of backgrounds: Doulas may be women or men who may or may not be parents themselves. Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds, family types, and birthing experiences.
Variety of philosophies: Each doula brings their own flavor. As individuals, doulas have their own philosophies and perspectives on reproductive health, maternity care, and infant care.
Common mission: Our common goal is to support birthing families and improve maternity care!
Why hire a doula?
Studies have shown significantly better outcomes in births where the woman had a supportive partner AND a doula in comparison to women who did not.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported in March 2014, “Published data indicate one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of a support personnel, such as a doula. Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.”
Read more about doula benefits here
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10643833/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23857334/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23409910/
- https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
Who needs a doula? Anybody who wants one. Whether single or married, you can benefit from a doula. Whether planning a natural, vaginal delivery or a planned c-section or anything in between, a doula can assist you. You may especially benefit from a doula if you are nervous about birth, don’t want to be left alone during labor, don’t have a supportive partner, live away from family, are a military wife with a deployed husband, struggle with depression or anxiety, or suffer from addiction and need support to have a birth without pain medication.
Types of births I attend and families I serve
It is often thought that doulas only support natural birth (vaginal, unmedicated). Quite commonly, people think doulas are for home births. As for me, this is what my services are available for.
- Any location: hospital, birthing center, or home
- Births with obstetricians and births with nurse-midwives and births with CPMs (certified professional midwives) or DEMs (direct-entry midwives)
- Vaginal births
- Cesarean births, whether scheduled or unplanned
- Any type of pain management: all natural or epidural or somewhere in between
- Low-risk births
- High-risk births
- Singletons or multiples
- Expected healthy outcome
- Expected health problems
- Perinatal and infant loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, fatal diagnosis or health issues that are expected to cause death
- All types of families: Whether you're married, single, dating, divorced, somewhere in between, or you have a multi-parent family, I'm happy to partner with you on your journey. I also support adoption, and can be hired by the birthing mother or the adoptive mother (with birthing mom's permission). Likewise, with surrogacy I can work with the birthing family and the intended parents as they walk this path together. I'm happy to provide services to the LGBTQ community as well.
- I serve people from a variety of religious beliefs, political perspectives, and different backgrounds. I enjoy working with a wide variety of people. I believe diversity strengthens healthcare workers.
What do I do during a birth?
- I provide physical support to the mother during labor and delivery. There are a variety of ways physical support can be provided. We will discuss different options during your prenatal appointments and customize your support plan to include methods you’d like to try.
- I assist the dad in learning how to provide physical support to his partner. If the husband/partner wants to be the primary support person (which is awesome), I am more than happy to focus on guiding him in taking care of his wife.
- I offer emotional support to the couple.
- If the birthing mother has family and friends she would like to be involved during labor, I’m glad to assist them in showing them ways they can provide support.
- As a Christian, I am happy to pray over the family and read scriptures or devotionals if the client would like.
- For mothers that choose to breastfeed, I provide lactation support as a certified breastfeeding specialist.
- I provide a safe place to confidentially talk about whatever a client needs to talk about.
What I do NOT do
- I do not replace the dad. He is very much a priority in the birthing process. Bringing a child into the world is the birth of a family. While I will work with single mothers and in circumstances where the father is not present, I will never “push a dad aside”. I’m there to support the birthing couple.
- I do not provide medical care. A doula is different than a midwife. I do not diagnose or treat health problems. I will not prescribe anything including supplements or herbal treatments. I will not be taking vitals or fetal heart tones. While my degree is in health sciences and I am trained in basic clinical skills, I do not feel it is appropriate for doulas to take vitals without having a primary provider to report to or having access to their chart to see their history.
- I do not attempt to intervene with medical care or encourage people to go against their doctor’s recommendations.
- I do not advocate for a client’s decisions or go up against the medical team. It is an individual’s responsibility to make their own medical decisions and speak on them. I do not argue with doctors or nurses. I work together with the staff to provide care for the birthing family.
- I do not judge the medical choices you make surrounding your birth. Your health decisions are rightfully yours to make and should be respected.
- I do not attend unassisted deliveries. While I respect a woman’s right to give birth in her chosen location with whomever she chooses present, it’s a liability issue should there be complications.
- I do not offer fertility support for families currently trying to conceive. I wish you all the best and baby dust. Contact me for birth services when your time comes.
- I do not attend or support terminations. I do not support abortion in any way, shape, or form.
- While I do post-birth checkups, I do not provide postpartum doula support including housekeeping, running errands, meal prep, or nannying.
Services offered
- Support from early pregnancy through 3 months postpartum
- I am available for hire any time after pregnancy is confirmed. You are welcome to hire me in early pregnancy or late in the third trimester.
- Prenatal education: After hire, I am always available to answer questions and provide resources upon request. Please visit the Maternal-infant Wellness Education page for education on reproductive health, maternity care, infant care, and family wellness.
- Birth preparation: During our 2-4 prenatal appointments, we will prepare for the birth as well as the postpartum period and early days of bringing home a little one. If desired, I can assist with making a birth plan.
- Birth support: I support all types of births in all locations with any type of medical care provider.
- Breastfeeding support is included for all doula clients at no extra charge. I am a certified breastfeeding specialist.
- Postpartum appointments will consist of checking on the family, answering questions, assessing breastfeeding, checking up on their recovery, assessing mental wellness and discussing any concerns over postpartum depression or anxiety (or just stress), providing emotional support, offering any requested resources, and closure of services.
- I do my best to customize services to fit what the family needs. Some people may want more hands-on physical support. Others may primarily be interested in having a doula so they aren’t alone. Let’s have open communication and work together to create the best birth experience possible.
Packages to choose from
Emerald package
- Phone and email support in pregnancy from time of hire
- Access to all of my educational materials on my website including any handouts (open access or available for purchase)
- Birth support
- Lactation support through the first month postpartum
- Phone and email support postpartum until one month after birth
- Investment: $600
- Note: There is no prenatal appointments or in-person preparation for birth. This option is ideal for experienced parents or those who have taken a comprehensive childbirth class. This is not recommended for first time parents.
Amethyst package
- Everything in the Emerald package
- 2 prenatal appointments in your home
- 1 postpartum appointment within a month of giving birth
- Investment: $900
Ruby package
- Everything in the Emerald package
- 4 prenatal appointments (in your home) which include a complete childbirth education course one-on-one customized to your needs
- 2 postpartum appointments within a month of giving birth
- Investment: $1,200
Hourly support, off call
This is a budget friendly option. Investment is $40 an hour. The way it works is the doula is paid by the hour. The client hires the doula prenatally, sets a cap at how much they are able to pay, and calls the doula when labor begins or when they arrive at the hospital for induction or cesarean. The client does not need to pay the doula any money at all unless the doula is called in to work. Payment is made before the doula leaves the birth location. The catch is I am not on call. This budget option allows for hiring doula services the day it is needed. I may or may not be available to come or I may be available that day/night until a specific time. If I am unable to come, the client pays nothing. If I am able to come, the client pays $40 an hour starting when I arrive on location. The client determines how long I stay (up to 12 hours at a time). The limit for their budget is set prenatally.
Here is an example of how to use the hourly doula services as an alternative to one of the packages. We’ll call the client Jennah.
Jennah has a $400 budget for doula services. She opts for the hourly services. The cap is determined at time of hire. $400 is 10 hours of care. When Jennah goes into labor, she calls me and gives me a heads up. I’m available. After laboring at home on her own for a while, Jennah is ready for the doula to come. I meet her at home or her chosen birth location. She needs a doula for 7 hours. The doula is paid $280 before leaving the birth location. If Jennah decides to, any leftover funds can be used for lactation support or a postpartum appointment.
Here is an example of how to use the hourly doula services as an alternative to one of the packages. We’ll call the client Jennah.
Jennah has a $400 budget for doula services. She opts for the hourly services. The cap is determined at time of hire. $400 is 10 hours of care. When Jennah goes into labor, she calls me and gives me a heads up. I’m available. After laboring at home on her own for a while, Jennah is ready for the doula to come. I meet her at home or her chosen birth location. She needs a doula for 7 hours. The doula is paid $280 before leaving the birth location. If Jennah decides to, any leftover funds can be used for lactation support or a postpartum appointment.
Fees
- Fees are non-negotiable. I have a flat fee for all types of births (and all outcomes) with equal charges for families of all income levels.
- A consultation appointment is free. We can get together at a local café or restaurant, chat, and with no obligation or pressure to hire. I want you to be sure I’m the right doula for you.
- 50% of the fee is due at the time of hire. The rest is due by 36 weeks or before the birth. Payment must be received in full before birth services.
- Invoices are sent through Paypal. If preferred, I can accept cash and will give a paper receipt.
- There will be a contract. Receipt of pay will be emailed. I can print a copy as well.
- You may be able to pay for a doula out of your HSA. Your health insurance company may be willing to reimburse you for doula services.
Service areas of western Ohio
I serve within approximately an hour -- no more than an hour and a half -- of Fairborn, Ohio.
This includes the following counties:
My immediate area is Montgomery, Greene, Clark, and Miami.
I also serve Darke, Preble, Warren, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Champaign, Union, Logan, and Shelby counties.
Services may be available in Auglaize and Allen counties depending on distance (and proximity to I-75).
Exceptions: I do not serve Butler, Hamilton, or Franklin counties.
Hospitals and birthing centers in those areas
My immediate area:
Montgomery County
Hospitals: Kettering, Southview, Miami Valley, MV South
Birthing centers: Miami Valley Hospital has a birthing center.
Greene County
Hospitals: Soin
Clark County
Hospitals: Mercy Health - Springfield Regional
Miami County
Hospitals: Upper Valley
The surrounding areas:
Warren County
Hospitals: Atrium
Birthing centers: There is a birthing center inside of Atrium hospital
Clinton County
Hospitals: Clinton Memorial
Madison County
Hospitals: Madison Health
I am also available to serve families at St. Rita's in Lima.
This includes the following counties:
My immediate area is Montgomery, Greene, Clark, and Miami.
I also serve Darke, Preble, Warren, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Champaign, Union, Logan, and Shelby counties.
Services may be available in Auglaize and Allen counties depending on distance (and proximity to I-75).
Exceptions: I do not serve Butler, Hamilton, or Franklin counties.
Hospitals and birthing centers in those areas
My immediate area:
Montgomery County
Hospitals: Kettering, Southview, Miami Valley, MV South
Birthing centers: Miami Valley Hospital has a birthing center.
Greene County
Hospitals: Soin
Clark County
Hospitals: Mercy Health - Springfield Regional
Miami County
Hospitals: Upper Valley
The surrounding areas:
Warren County
Hospitals: Atrium
Birthing centers: There is a birthing center inside of Atrium hospital
Clinton County
Hospitals: Clinton Memorial
Madison County
Hospitals: Madison Health
I am also available to serve families at St. Rita's in Lima.
Confidentiality
- I respect your privacy and keep health information and anything else you choose to share with me confidential.
- I will not release any information to a client’s family and friends unless the client requests I do so.
- I do not share who my clients are or any of their personal details including health history, medical decisions, how their birth went, or the names of anyone in the family.
- I do not announce a birth before the parents. With parental consent, I may post on my Facebook business page a welcome baby announcement or a little bit about the work that I do. Clients are welcome to post pictures including me on their social media. If a client posts a photo tagging my page, I may ask permission to share photos of me working as a doula.
- I will not post on social media who my clients are or any information about their birth without written consent. If a family is fine with having their photo and first names on my website or Facebook with a review, I would be happy to post an approved photo with consent to share about my work as a doula.
About me as a doula
My philosophy on birth care
My philosophy on birth is that families should receive evidence based care with informed consent and respected refusal. I do not advocate for natural birth or a certain birth experience for everyone. I do not think women should be pressured to deliver in any way other than what they want. Birth is highly unique. Each and every birth is different just as every family is. My goal is to support families to have the closest experience they can to their ideal birth. In addition to that, I offer guidance and emotional support when things do not go as planned or when unexpected complications arise.
My style
Calm. Intuitive. Supportive. Teaching. Listening. Guiding.
I'm here. I'm here to come alongside your family and navigate this birth journey. I'm here to teach you your options, give you tips on how to accomplish your goals, demonstrate the techniques to cope with contractions, guide the dad/partner in being involved, and be a steady person as you walk through this transition from pregnancy to holding your baby in your arms.
Education
Degree: health sciences (Sinclair, 2018)
I plan to continue my education at Ohio University gaining a bachelor's of science in integrated healthcare studies with a minor in community and public health + a second minor in political science. After that, I may go on for a master's degree in public health.
Certifications:
Why I became a doula
I don’t think there was ever a moment where I suddenly decided to become a birth worker. I think I was born with the purpose of educating and supporting birthing families. I’ve always been drawn to this field of health care. At the young age of 16, I fell in love with the idea of becoming a midwife. In 2008 I did my first doula training. In 2013 I decided to pursue nurse-midwifery and the path to become an IBCLC. In 2014 I did my lactation training through Lactation Education Resources earning certification as a breastfeeding specialist. At the same time, I started college as a nursing major. I later switched to health sciences after much time reflecting on what I felt my path was. I have a lot of love for nurses, but I feel called to patient education and support. I always knew I was made to teach. In 2018 I graduated with a degree in health sciences. While there are many things I could do with that degree, the only thing on my heart was birthwork. This is a beautiful, amazing, sometimes crazy, yet powerful and transforming area of healthcare. It's a blessing to walk alongside people in their season of bringing forth new life. What a beautiful calling. I wouldn't want to be in any other specialty. So -- two weeks after I graduated -- I opened up shop offering doula services again. Honestly, I don’t feel that there was a moment or event where I became a doula. It’s been more of an unraveling of something I always was. I know it in my core that this is something God made me for. Made for healthcare. Made for patient education. Made for women's health. Made for birth work. Made to doula. And, thus, I have arrived. This was my journey all along. I was born for this, and I love it.
For more general information about me, visit my about me page here.
My philosophy on birth is that families should receive evidence based care with informed consent and respected refusal. I do not advocate for natural birth or a certain birth experience for everyone. I do not think women should be pressured to deliver in any way other than what they want. Birth is highly unique. Each and every birth is different just as every family is. My goal is to support families to have the closest experience they can to their ideal birth. In addition to that, I offer guidance and emotional support when things do not go as planned or when unexpected complications arise.
My style
Calm. Intuitive. Supportive. Teaching. Listening. Guiding.
I'm here. I'm here to come alongside your family and navigate this birth journey. I'm here to teach you your options, give you tips on how to accomplish your goals, demonstrate the techniques to cope with contractions, guide the dad/partner in being involved, and be a steady person as you walk through this transition from pregnancy to holding your baby in your arms.
Education
Degree: health sciences (Sinclair, 2018)
I plan to continue my education at Ohio University gaining a bachelor's of science in integrated healthcare studies with a minor in community and public health + a second minor in political science. After that, I may go on for a master's degree in public health.
Certifications:
- I stay current on first aid and basic life saver
- Certified breastfeeding specialist (Lactation Education Resources, 2014 and 2021)
- Birth doula (multiple programs, 2008, 2018)
- Bereavement doula (2018)
- I was previously certified as a chemical dependency (drug addiction) counselor assistant. (Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, Feb. 2016 - Feb. 2017)
Why I became a doula
I don’t think there was ever a moment where I suddenly decided to become a birth worker. I think I was born with the purpose of educating and supporting birthing families. I’ve always been drawn to this field of health care. At the young age of 16, I fell in love with the idea of becoming a midwife. In 2008 I did my first doula training. In 2013 I decided to pursue nurse-midwifery and the path to become an IBCLC. In 2014 I did my lactation training through Lactation Education Resources earning certification as a breastfeeding specialist. At the same time, I started college as a nursing major. I later switched to health sciences after much time reflecting on what I felt my path was. I have a lot of love for nurses, but I feel called to patient education and support. I always knew I was made to teach. In 2018 I graduated with a degree in health sciences. While there are many things I could do with that degree, the only thing on my heart was birthwork. This is a beautiful, amazing, sometimes crazy, yet powerful and transforming area of healthcare. It's a blessing to walk alongside people in their season of bringing forth new life. What a beautiful calling. I wouldn't want to be in any other specialty. So -- two weeks after I graduated -- I opened up shop offering doula services again. Honestly, I don’t feel that there was a moment or event where I became a doula. It’s been more of an unraveling of something I always was. I know it in my core that this is something God made me for. Made for healthcare. Made for patient education. Made for women's health. Made for birth work. Made to doula. And, thus, I have arrived. This was my journey all along. I was born for this, and I love it.
For more general information about me, visit my about me page here.
Contact me for a consultation
Please click on the consult page via the menu at the top.
Note: I am unable to provide services in homes with a cat. They are very adorable creatures, but I am very allergic (which is forever sad because they're so cute). For cat owners, I am able to provide the emerald package of birth support once the client arrives at the hospital or birthing center. If arrangements can be made to do prenatal & postpartum appointments in a location without cats, I am happy to provide the amethyst or ruby package.
Click the button below to contact me via email. My business phone number will be given after completion of the pre-consultation questionnaire.
Note: I am unable to provide services in homes with a cat. They are very adorable creatures, but I am very allergic (which is forever sad because they're so cute). For cat owners, I am able to provide the emerald package of birth support once the client arrives at the hospital or birthing center. If arrangements can be made to do prenatal & postpartum appointments in a location without cats, I am happy to provide the amethyst or ruby package.
Click the button below to contact me via email. My business phone number will be given after completion of the pre-consultation questionnaire.