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Congratulations on your upcoming birth. However it came to you.In a shock of unexpected realization or after years of combatting infertility with a final attempt at IVF... Whether its your first pregnancy, last pregnancy, high risk, uncomplicated, twins, homebirth, VBAC, hypnobirth... Whether your news is "hot off the stick" or you are on the brink of labor... the common thread is giving birth. And the natural response is support. Do you doula? Sarah Ragusa is a Birth Doula in the Kansas City Metro area assisting families in pregnancy, labor, childbirth and the postpartum period for healthier babies and happier mothers. The mission of che Bella! Doula Services & Boutique is to provide consistent, unwavering, professional, and individualized emotional, physical, and informational support to expectant parents in the Kansas City Metro. Whether you are choosing an un-medicated birth or are planning a cesarean birth, having a doula is the natural choice for a beautiful birth!How beautiful! che Bella!

Providing individually-tailored support, information, and resources to enable new mothers to feel confident & beautiful in their journey into parenthood...

What is a Doula?

Now taking clients with due dates in 2012!

Your doula for a beautiful birth in the Kansas City Metro

MyStory My StoryGrowing up I heard my birth story every year on my birthday. I learned birth was an experience that was empowering and was always going to be remembered. I am drawn toward the beauty of motherhood, awed by the strength of the human body, and fueled by the miracle of birth. I enjoy educating expecting parents and working to design a birthing plan for your ideal birth. I work to decrease anxiety and promote confidence to allow you to embrace the day of your birth, rather than fear it. I will stay by your side throughout your labor and provide calm reassurance while being your advocate and your coach. As I doula, I will not offer medical advice. I focus on providing education to allow you to make fully informed decisions then support your choices throughout your pregnancy. If at any point you forget, I will be the voice that reminds you "you can do it." I emphasize that this is all your experience; I am the quiet voice right behind you, the calm hands supporting you, but never an influence casting a shadow over you, your partner, or your baby. I want to encourage you with the decisions you make, without judgment. I consider it the highest honor to support the birth you've dreamed of!
ABC Girl

Doula Services
No Frame

Welcome Home ... $650*

Little Extras ... $varies

Special Delivery ... $500*

Complimentary consultation for a "meet & greet" at your home or local coffee shop Prenatal Care: Phone and email support through pregnancyTwo prenatal visits to establish a relationship and discuss your personalized support plan (one of these may be at your regular OB/midwife appointment if you desire)Unbiased assistance in defining your personal birth preferencesSuggestions for comfort during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period and breastfeedingTraining in relaxation, visualization, possible labor/delivery positions, natural comfort measures and other pain management strategiesBreastfeeding preparation, information and support Labor and Birth: On-call from 38 weeks until the birthEarly labor support at your home or prefered hospital/birthing centerEmpowering you to ask questions so you can make informed decisions during laborMassage and other natural comfort measures during your labor and birthLabor and birth positioning suggestions for maximum comfort and labor progressEncouraging your partner to be as active and involved as desiredBlack & White photography taken as your family is together for the 1st time and a "birth day" slideshow on DVD Postpartum Care: Follow up visit within the first 2 days at your home or birthing place (schedule permitting)Postpartum visit at your home within 6 weeks of your baby's birth to share your birth story, "ooh" & "ahh" over the slideshow, assist with breastfeeding, and answer any questions about your birth experience
Complimentary consultation for a "meet & greet" at your home or local coffee shop The Special Delivery Package plus... Additional Prenatal Care:One additional prenatal visit to help you set up the nursery, prepare meals, organize supplies, "baby-proof," and get ready for baby Additional Postpartum Care: Four hours of home postpartum care within the first week after birth for help with newborn care, breastfeeding, meal preparation, light cleaning, and errandsOne overnight stay at your home to provide postpartum and newborn support within the first two weeks of your baby's birth
Personalized labor playlistWritten & bound birth storyBlack & White photo memory bookBirth announcements sent to your friends and family before you get home from the hospital!Labor Journey Attaché (includes cooling eye/neck pillow, comfort rebozo, & perineal warm pack in a reusable tote) GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLEMore coming soon to the Boutique

Doula services are limited to ensure satisfaction and quality - please reserve as early as possible.

* Everyone deserves a doula. If you cannot afford these rates or need assistance, a sliding scale or payment plan will be provided!

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Brought to you by che Bella! Doula Services & Boutique, Kiki Rose Couture , Unparalleled Designs , and Jessica Strom Photography

Gallery

COMING SOON...

Brought to you by che Bella! Doula Services & Boutique

Beautiful Babies!

Life is the most precious gift that can be given and we should celebrate the beauty of birth! This gallery is dedicated to the families who have provided me with the opportunity to be a part of that celebration. These moments will be a part of my life for always and I will forever be changed.

With love, Sarah

Contact

I would love to schedule a complimentary consultation

The most important thing while deciding on a doula, is finding someone with whom you feel comfortable and in whom you feel confident. I would love to sit down with you for a no cost, no obligations, interview to help you determine if I'm the doula that meets your needs!

Doula services are limited to ensure satisfaction and quality - please reserve as early as possible.

FAQ

FAQ

Resources
1. What is a Doula?Doulas have assisted women in birth since the beginning of time. The word "doula," means "woman caregiver," an ancient Greek term referring to the most valued and trusted birth companion. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth"2. But what does that mean?It means that as your doula, I will provide emotional, physical and informational support and encouragement in a wide variety of ways before, during and after the birth of your child. My priority is to help you have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.3. What does a doula do?Well before the baby is due, doulas establish a relationship that gives you and your partner complete freedom to ask questions, express fears and concerns, and take an active role in creating a birth plan. As your doula, I am available to you and your partner by phone to answer questions or explain any developments that may arise in pregnancy. Doulas do not provide any type of medical care. However, I am knowledgeable in the medical aspect of labor and delivery so I can help you and your partner have a better understanding of procedures and complications that may arise in late pregnancy and during delivery.During delivery, I am in constant, close proximity to you at all times. My role is to provide comfort with pain relief techniques, such as breathing, relaxing, massage and laboring positions. I can help your partner find his or her role in the birth and offer reassurance. I will act as an advocate for the mother. My goal as a doula is to help you have a positive and safe birth experience, whether you want an un-medicated birth or are having a planned cesarean birth.After the birth, I will spend a short time helping you begin the breastfeeding process and encourage bonding between the new baby and family members.4. I'm still not sure what exactly you'll be doing!A doula's role and duties change with each birth. You define my role as your doula. This means that you will determine, based on your own unique and individual needs, what role I will play at the birth of your child. In basic terms, if you're saying to yourself, "I want someone to do X, and I may need help with Y, but definitely not Z," then you're in need of a doula!5. What are the benefits of having a doula?Numerous studies have revealed the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, revealed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. When a doula was present, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience. Other studies have shown that having a doula as part of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 60%.Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland secretes natural oxytocin to the bloodstream which causes uterine contractions and also secretes it to the brain, which results in a feeling of well being, drowsiness and a raised pain threshold. Synthetic IV oxytocin cannot cross into the blood stream and brain, so it increases contractions without the positive psychological effects of natural oxytocin.6. Isn't my husband/partner supposed to do all of that? Will his/her role be threatened if I use a doula?I consider it a priority to ensure that your husband or partner is free to fully participate in the birth experience with you. Partners need support, too! Freeing husbands and partners to truly be with the mother and be physically and emotionally present for the birth of their child is one of my most important roles as a doula. The role of the doula is never to take the place of the husband or partner in labor, but to compliment and enhance their experience. 7. As a husband/partner - what does a doula do for me?My role as doula is to support the entire family. This means you can go to the bathroom, grab a bite to eat, or if labor is particularly long, even take a nap without worrying about leaving the mother laboring alone. It means you can fully participate in the birth of your child at whatever level you are most comfortable. If you'd prefer to take pictures and leave things like massage up to me, you can. If you'd prefer to be the one massaging or holding her hand, I can take the pictures, fetch water, and deal with other tasks that may come up. As your doula, I tend to the details, leaving you to focus on what's really important to you without having to remember everything you learned in childbirth class!8. I really want a doula at my birth, but my partner is still reluctant.This is probably the most common reason that women are hesitant to hire a doula. It is natural for partners to be wary of inviting an outsider to the birth of their child. Partners often feel their role is to protect the mother and baby, and minimizing outsiders is one way to do that. Oftentimes, reluctant partners will feel more comfortable with the idea once they have met the doula and had an opportunity to have their concerns and needs addressed. I offer free, no-obligation consultations, and we can meet wherever you and your partner feel most comfortable - at home, at the coffee shop, or for dinner at a restaurant. I encourage you to ask your most challenging questions at this consultation. It is also notable that partners who were reluctant at first are often the biggest supporters of doulas after benefiting from her presence at the birth of their child.9. Wait, isn't this what nurses do?Many nurses are willing and happy to do these things, but unfortunately their other duties often interfere. A nurse's first priority is to monitor your physical health, and of course they are usually helping many women at once. Nurses rarely have time to help with things related to comfort or support, and they are often pleased to learn that you have hired a doula.10. I plan to use pain medication; can I still benefit from having a doula?The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. Many women do report needing fewer interventions when they have a doula, but the role of the doula is to help you have a safe and pleasant birth, not to choose your type of birth. For women who know they want a medicated birth, the doula still provides emotional support, informational support and comfort measures to help the women through labor and the administration of medications. As your doula, I can work alongside medication by helping you cope with possible side effects and filling in the gap that medication may not cover; rarely does medication take all discomfort away.11. If I decide during labor that I want pain medication - will you support that?As your doula, I will support whatever option is right for you. I believe in the wise and compassionate use of medication for laboring women. As each mother has unique needs, this issue will be discussed in detail at our prenatal visits, so that I will have a complete understanding of your wishes and needs during labor.12. My baby will be born by cesarean; What are some ways I can benefit from having a doula?As your doula, I can help you and your partner navigate the often complex process surrounding a cesarean birth. I will hold the space for your family, helping to remind everyone that birth is a deeply emotional process, not a medical event, even when medical care is involved. You may need to get special permission for me to stay with you during the birth, but even if that is not possible, I can join you after the birth, while your partner goes to the nursery with the baby so that you are not left unsupported.13. I am planning to have a homebirth - do I still need a doula?This depends on your preferences and on your midwife. Some midwives work with apprentices who will fill the role of a doula. Most midwives offer a very high level of emotional support, regardless of whether they work alone or with apprentices. There are benefits to hiring a doula separately, however. Having a doula at your homebirth ensures that the level of emotional support will be maintained even in the event of a medical emergency during which the midwife and apprentice could be too busy to offer much emotional support. As your doula, I will also provide an increased level of postpartum support.14. Is doula care covered by my medical insurance?Many medical insurance companies are beginning to cover doula services. You will have to contact your insurance provider to find out for sure. Some people may have to rely on their medical insurance's appeal process to get doula services covered for their birth. I would be happy to assist in this process should you choose to pursue it - just contact me and we can discuss it. 15. It seems so expensive!Doula fees may seem high because it is an expense that was not anticipated. Many couples do not consider doula services until they are already pregnant and nearing their due date. When put in perpective of other costs of having a baby, however, the investment is clearly quite practical. Hiring a doula may help reduce unnecessary medical interventions, such as the use of pitocin, analgesics, or forceps, which have their own expenses. The benefits of having a doula at your birth are truly immeasurable. If the fees are still too high for you, a sliding scale and/or payment plan will be provided to you. 16. Do you have a backup in case you cannot make it to the birth?Yes, I do have a backup doula in case of emergiencies. It is important to note, however, that the backup doula would only be called in for a true emergency. I carefully arrange my schedule around my clients' due dates so I can be available immediately when you call! Doula services are limited to ensure satisfaction and quality - please reserve as early as possible.

Doulas of Greater Kansas City

Academy of Childbirth Educators (ACBE)

Doulas of North America (DONA)

Le Leche League of Kansas

Forms
PrenatalConsultation.pdf

LetterofAgreement.pdf

Positions for Labor.pdf

ReleaseofLiability.pdf

ConfidentialityRelease.pdf

Check out the End-of-Summer special & referral offer!