Offering Birth Doula Support in Santa Cruz, CA and the surrounding areas
Hi, I’m Caitlyn- I’m a doula for moms who want to prioritize their health! I believe pregnancy and motherhood are transformative journeys that deserve more than just physical care. I help you nurture your body, mind, and spirit through the integration of fitness, nutrition, and birth support, empowering you to embrace each stage of your journey with confidence, strength, and clarity. Keep scrolling to discover how the right support can turn your birth into an empowering, life-changing experience—and how I help make it happen!
Stay Active and Empowered Throughout Your Pregnancy
Working together, you’ll experience the transformative strength that comes from movement tailored to your body’s needs. Through fitness guidance designed specifically for pregnancy, we’ll focus on building balanced strength and preparing your body—and pelvic floor—for labor and delivery. Our work together will help create a smoother, more empowered birth experience and support a confident, resilient postpartum recovery.
Nourish Your Body and Baby with Confidence
Together, we’ll focus on fueling your body with the nutrient-rich foods that support your well-being and your baby’s growth. With trimester-specific guidance, personalized weight management support, and education on managing gestational diabetes, I’ll help you make informed choices that align with your unique needs. This approach emphasizes balanced, whole foods that empower you to feel confident in nourishing yourself and your little one every step of the way.
Compassionate Birth Support with Intuitive Guidance
Experience continuous, compassionate birth support that centers on your intuition and helps you feel informed, confident, and at ease. I’ll guide you to trust your body and instincts, supporting you through each decision so you can create a birth experience that aligns with your values. This support also includes education along the way to ensure you’re fully prepared and confident for your birth journey.
Doula Packages
Holistic Mama Package
This package is for you if you want comprehensive support throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With workouts, nutrition guidance, and hands-on birth support, you’ll feel empowered and fully prepared for a confident, smooth birth experience.
Nurturing Birth Package
If you’re looking for continuous, personalized birth support but don’t need fitness or nutrition services, this package is for you. You’ll receive all the hands-on, emotional, and educational support you need to feel confident and well-prepared for your birth.
Essential Doula Support Package
This package is perfect for you if you feel confident in your birth knowledge but still want essential support during pregnancy and labor. You’ll receive personalized prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and all the emotional and practical guidance you need to feel fully prepared and supported throughout your birth.
Not sure which package is best for you? Click the button below to schedule a consultation and I’ll point you in the right direction!
I know that every family has unique needs, and I truly believe that every parent deserves the support of a doula. That’s why I offer sliding scale options to make my services more accessible to you. If you’d like to explore how I can support you and your family, please fill out the form below, and I’ll be in touch to chat about how we can make it work for you. I can’t wait to connect!
FAQs
What is a Doula?
Doulas are trained professionals in childbirth, who not only see birth as a beautiful and pivotal life event, but use their extensive training, knowledge and experience to provide the birthing family with emotional and informational support as well as physical comfort. Doulas provide guidance in communication with care providers to make sure that you have the information you (and your birth partner) need to make informed decisions during labor. Doulas also help provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner and make suggestions for helping labor to progress and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for your comfort. Your medical care provider takes care of your and your baby's health needs, and a doula helps support you in every other way. As your doula, I help you understand what to expect, what options you have, and how to navigate every step of your journey in confidence.
Having a doula by your side is invaluable.
Do I need a doula if I...plan to give birth at a hospital? Have an epidural? Have a cesarean birth? Have given birth before?
Doulas are for every type of birth! No matter how or where you birth, you need prenatal education, as well as physical and emotional support. As your doula, I get to know you as an individual, understanding your unique needs & wishes, and then help facilitate those throughout pregnancy, during your labor & birth, and throughout postpartum. That goes for home births, hospital births, medicated, unmedicated, vaginal, cesarean, and whether it's your first or fourth.
When should I book services?
The earlier the better! Because I do take a limited number of births per month, and have off-call periods, I recommend getting in touch as soon as possible to book for your estimated due period. However, there are times I will open up more availability throughout the year, so always feel free to reach out. There is a chance I will be able to book you later into your pregnancy, but earliest is best. If I do not have availability, I will share some other contacts with you & help you find the support you need.
What are the benefits of having a doula?
The benefits of having a birth doula will vary according to what your birth vision is, however - studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.
Other benefits include:
having a consistent support person by your side, whom you feel comfortable with
having an advocate with you to speak up for your birth plan and preferences
consistent physical, emotional, and informational support starting in pregnancy and lasting through postpartum
How much does it cost to be secured in your calendar?
I require 50% of the services desired to be paid as a retainer upon contract signing. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is paid, your estimated due date will be secured on my calendar. The balance of services booked is due at 36 weeks, and you can pay all up front, just the two payments, or all throughout your pregnancy - whatever works best for you and your family.
What happens if I book and have a miscarriage?
Many moms are timid in asking this question, but are also hesitant to book before the end of their first trimester. Because I may be booked by the time you're in your second trimester, I share that in the event of loss, I offer to return your deposit.
What areas do you serve?
My in-person service range is Santa Cruz, California and areas within 1 hour travel time.
What are the chances of you being at my birth?
It is my goal to be with every client on their birth day. However, if for any reason I am unavailable on your birth day (whether I'm at another birth, am sick, etc.), I will do my best to provide a backup doula for you. My greatest hope is that all throughout your pregnancy, you and I work closely together to help you build confidence in your ability to birth - in any scenario. But I do everything I can to be there!