If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.

JOHN H. KENNELL, MD

Co-Founder of DONA International

Melissa and her doula client after birth

Melissa and doula client after a quick and beautiful birth.

DOULA SUPPORT

Steady Support Through Birth and Beyond

A doula is a trained, experienced professional who offers continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and just after birth. Families lean on that steady presence for comfort, encouragement, and clear information so they can make the choices that are right for them.

The research is remarkably consistent, and the support of a doula is linked to smoother births and more confident parents, with no identified harms.

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~40%
lower odds of a cesarean birth with doula support
Shorter
labors, with less pain medication and fewer interventions
No Harms
identified in the research, only benefits for parent and baby

Based on the 2017 Cochrane review of continuous labor support across nearly 16,000 births and national doula outcome studies.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

Prepare With Confidence

When you hear the word Lamaze, you might picture breathing techniques. The method began there, but today’s classes go well beyond it. As Teri Shilling puts it, these are not your Ma’s Lamaze. Breathing still matters, of course, we all need oxygen, but class covers a whole tool bag of comfort and coping techniques, and invites partners to take part more fully than ever.

Partnered with Lamaze International, our classes help families understand the process of birth, know the options available to them, and build confidence through solid, evidence-based information. These days that learning can happen anywhere, including the comfort of home.

Centered on the Six Healthy Birth Practices

From Lamaze International

1Let labor begin on its own
2Walk, move, and change positions through labor
3Bring continuous support, such as a doula
4Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary
5Follow your body’s urges to push, off your back
6Keep parent and baby together

Two Ways to Take Class

MOST FLEXIBLE

Self-Paced Online Course

Move through the full course from home, on your own schedule, and revisit any lesson as often as you like. The easiest way to fit thorough preparation around real life.

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ONE ON ONE

Private Childbirth Sessions

Classes built around your family, scheduled at a time that works for you and shaped to your questions, your timeline, and the birth you are planning.

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Want a confidence-building weekly read? Lamaze International offers a free week-by-week pregnancy newsletter.

A Note on Postpartum Support

While Capital City Doula Services does not offer postpartum doula support ourselves, we believe in its value for the transition to parenthood. A skilled postpartum doula can ease those early weeks, support recovery and rest, and help a family settle into its new shape with more confidence, and we are always glad to point families toward that care.

Package Details

Doula Services A steady hand, from your first questions to your first weeks. Having a doula means having an experienced presence in your corner through all of it. As your doula, Melissa offers continuous physical, emotional, and informational support, so you move through birth feeling informed, cared for, and sure of your own choices. Start … Continue reading Package Details