Bump to Baby doula care
Caring for you
as you care for your baby
About me
Hi! Welcome! My name is Ellen Balk.
When I got pregnant with my first baby, I became aware of all of the things I didn’t know. One of the things I didn’t know, was how unsupported I would feel throughout the process. All of the appointments were about the baby, not about me. Of course I wanted my baby to be healthy, but I also wanted to be healthy too. I wanted my baby to be born, but I also wanted to have a positive experience with all of it. Throughout the process I became aware of how little we do to support the birther and not just the baby and I knew I wanted to be a part of helping equip and encourage other women as they went through the process.
There are so many good and beautiful parts of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, AND so many really hard things too. I would love to help you feel more prepared, and empowered throughout all of it.
Caring for you: from bump to baby
My services
Prenatal
I offer three prenatal sessions, helping you prepare your body and your mind for labor, birth and postpartum. You will learn about some bodywork and nutrition to be helping prepare your body, pain management techniques and stages of labor, along with general postpartum and breastfeeding basics.
Labor
I am on call starting at 38 weeks so that I can be there for you whenever you need me.
Postpartum
I offer a postpartum check in during the first week or two after birth. Checking in on both you and the baby.
Optional add ons
Postpartum meal planning: after baby comes you will all have less time and energy, but it’s still important to be nourishing your body. I can help you think through easy meals which can either be made ahead of time for the freezer or made quickly.
Bump to baby
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Bump to baby ·
You and your experience matter
You’ve got this!
&
You can do hard things! (but it’s easier with a little extra support)
Aspects of Doula care
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Mental
Realistic expectations
Stages of labor
Pain management techniques
Postpartum basics
Breastfeeding basics
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Physical
Positions and stretches to prepare your body
Different labor positions
Different birthing positions
Hands on support during
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Emotional
Support throughout pregnancy
Available for questions
Continuous support throughout labor/birth
Optional spiritual support
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Recovery
Postpartum support plan
Immediate support
Postpartum check in
Breastfeeding check in
“Change isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to rip up your roots and put you in new soil where your roots can deepen. It’s going to be okay in the long run.” Melanie Curtis
Frequently asked questions
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A cochrane meta-analysis was done in 2012 which showed that in the presence of continuous labor support (a doula) there was a significant decrease in use of pitocin, pain medication, and forcepts, along with a 22% decrease in risk of surgical delivery. It also showed overall shorter labor, greater ability to cope with labor sensations, and a 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience.
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A doula offers nonmedical support throughout pregnancy, labor and birth.
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Although I am fully trained, as I need hours to work towards certification I am currently charging $500.
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Unfortunately at this time I am unable to accept insurance. If pricing is ever an issue please let me know and we can see if we can work something out.
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Yes I am. I’d love to walk alongside whomever the birthing person is.
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I’m primarily working in the Des Moines area.
Still have questions? Reach out!
