Feminine Earth, L.L.C. - Birth and Postpartum Doula Services; Tallahassee, FL

A Birth Doula is a woman who is trained and experienced in pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and provides non-medical, physical & emotional support to the mother before, during, and just after her baby's birth.

BIRTH DOULA TESTIMONIAL:
"Melissa was such a dedicated and knowledgeable doula & I am so happy to have found her & had her by my side during the 36 hour natural labor and birth of my sweet daughter Samantha Hawk. I would have never been able to be as brave and focused and on track as I was if it weren't for Melissa helping me feel calm, relaxed, and present. It was great having her be there for my husband as well, who needed reassurance and a break from time to time. She provided me with excellent information that was not covered during the prenatal classes we took at the hospital & gave me guidance postpartum as well. I would recommend Melissa to anyone wanting a support person for themselves through the process of bringing into this world a new life. Happy, cared for mama = happy, cared for baby = happier world." - Nicole Stern

Numerous clinical studies show that a doula's presence at birth:

Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications.
Reduces negative feelings the mother may have about her childbirth experience.
Reduces the need for Pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps, or vacuum extraction.
Reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesarean sections.

Your birth doula:

Understands the physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth, and understands the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
Assists the mother in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth.
Stays with the mother throughout her entire labor and birth.
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the mother get the information she needs in order to make informed decisions.
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her clinical care providers.
Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of her birth experience.
Allows the woman's partner to participate fully at his/her comfort level.

BIRTH DOULA TESTIMONIAL:
"Dear Melissa, thank you for your constant support and encouragement during labor. You helped us so much when it seemed impossible. You made our birth experience very special! Love, Lisette, Oliver, & Tessa"

BIRTH DOULA RATES AND PACKAGES:

Initial home visit/consultation is FREE. This is where the birth doula and the mother get to know one another, ask questions about the doula's role, discuss the mother's anticipated needs and birth desires, and determine if the doula and the mother are a good match for one another.
Basic Hospital Birth Package; $550.00 - Birth doula services are offered at both Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Capital Regional Medical Center. Services include two (2) prenatal home visits/meetings, continuous labor, birth, and early postpartum support, and two (2) postpartum visits (at 2 and 6 weeks) of up to two (2) hours each. 24-hour on-call support two weeks before due date until baby is born, and access to doula's extensive lending library for duration of doula services.
Basic Homebirth Package; $500.00 - Birth doula services in Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty and Calhoun Counties. Services include two (2) prenatal home visits/meetings, continuous labor, birth, and early postpartum support, and two (2) postpartum visits (at 2 and 6 weeks) of up to two (2) hours each. 24-hour on-call support two weeks before due date until baby is born, and access to doula's extensive lending library for duration of doula services.

BIRTH DOULA TESTIMONIAL:
"Melissa was more than helpful. I didn't think I needed a doula during my first pregnancy, but during this one, Melissa made me feel like everything will be ok. She was on my side." - Jasmine Lier

A Postpartum Doula is a professionally trained and experienced woman who assists the new mother and her family with their newborn baby(ies) during the early postpartum period.

BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULA TESTIMONIAL:
"Melissa, thank you soooo much for all your help with labor & delivery, and all the help with the kids. Love, Alex"

Your Postpartum Doula Will:

Provide non-medical, hands-on, evidence-based education and support in infant and mother care.
Give the support and encouragement needed to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship, offer practical tips and advice when and if minor issues arise, and refer the mother to a local Lactation Consultant when and if necessary.
Offer non-judgmental emotional support and a caring, listening ear.
Identify any early signs of postpartum depression, and offer local counseling resources specific to new mothers.
Take care of the baby for short periods of time while the mother showers, naps, eats a meal, or has some quiet time to herself.
Spend time and play with older siblings while mother is engaged in caring for and/or bonding with her baby.
Shop for groceries, and prepare light, nourishing meals for the mother and any siblings.
Offer basic pet care such as walking the dog, scooping the litter box, feeding, and playing with the animals.
Take care of light household chores such as washing laundry, tidying up after light meals, and wiping down counters.
Work herself out of a job by helping parents build confidence and pride in their own parenting abilities.

Your Postpartum Doula Will NOT:

Offer any medical advice regarding any health issues that may arise.
Take over total care of the baby for long periods of time; the job of the postpartum doula is to 'mother the mother' so she can in turn build the confidence and resources she needs to parent her baby.
Drive the mother, baby, or any members of the family anywhere at any time.
Be responsible for any deep housecleaning such as washing windows, mopping floors, cleaning bathtubs, doing yardwork, etc.
Pass any judgment on the mother's choices, or offer any unprompted, non-evidence-based advice at any time.

POSTPARTUM DOULA RATES AND PACKAGES:

Initial home visit/consultation is FREE. This is where the postpartum doula and the mother get to know one another, ask questions about the doula's role, discuss the mother's needs and parenting style, and determine if the doula and mother are a match for one another.
3 hours per day and 3 days per week is the standard minimum package. Hour starts upon postpartum doula's arrival to mother's house. Payment is due weekly, with the first initial week's payment being due when contract is signed (during initial home visit/consultation). Thereafter, weekly payment is due on the first day of the postpartum doula's working week.
Postpartum Doula Services in Leon and Wakulla Counties: $20.00 per hour at a minimum of 3 hours per day and 3 days per week for a total of $180 per week of services. Package can be modified for additional hours and/or days.

All over the world, women are rediscovering the timeless practice of placentophagy, or consumption of their placenta. Although not yet widely researched, women who consume their placentas report increased energy after birth, shorter postpartal bleeding time, increased milk production, decreased incidence of postpartum depression, and virtually no baby blues. There are many ways to prepare the placenta for consumption, but one of the most common is the Traditional Chinese Medicine method of dehydration and encapsulation.

"The Tree of Life" by Melissa Marks

PLACENTA PREPARATION RATES AND PACKAGES:

I offer three basic placenta preparation packages: Immediate In-home Postpartum Placenta Preparation, Basic Placenta Encapsulation, and Half and Half Preparation and Encapsulation.

Immediate In-Home Postpartum Placenta Preparation; $150: This package is ideal for homebirthing mothers who wish to consume their placenta immediately (usually within the first two hours) after their child's birth. Preparation is completed entirely in mother's home (unless choosing the Half and Half package) and in whatever preparation method mother desires. (Looking for ideas? Try this website.)

Basic Placenta Encapsulation; $125: Immediately after your placenta is birthed, it will need to be properly stored until I can pick it up for encapsulation. I recommend double bagging it in gallon-sized ziplock bags. From there, your placenta will keep for three days in your refrigerator or up to a year in your freezer. If you are giving birth in the hospital and do not have access to a refrigerator, I recommend storing it (again, double-bagged) in an ice-filled well-insulated cooler for no longer than 24 hours. You will need to call me when you are ready for me to pick your placenta up for encapsulation. After I pick up your placenta, the entire encapsulation process takes around 24 hours. You will receive a detailed instruction booklet and a glass jar containing your placenta capsules. (Interested in encapsulating your own placenta? Check out this great tutorial!)

Half and Half Preparation and Encapsulation; $175: This package simply combines the first two packages. I will come to your home after your baby's birth (usually within the first two hours postpartum) and prepare half of your placenta for immediate consumption, and take the other half with me to encapsulate it.

Please contact me today via phone or email to find out more information about doulas and how one can benefit your family! I do package deals: there are discounts available if you would like to take advantage of my childbirth classes and doula services together. I look forward to hearing from you!