Patricia Mestas
DONA CERTIFIED DOULA
Birth and postpartum doula services in San Antonio, Texas
BIRTH DOULA SERVICES
As your doula, I will:
  • Help you and your partner prepare your ideal birth plan. I will give you options and support your choices.
  • Support  you emotionally to ensure a positive and empowering birth experience.
  • Assist with comfort measures such as positioning, relaxation, massage to help facilitate the labor progress.
  • Ensure that your partner has the main support role with me assisting as needed. We are a team!

Birth doula services include:
  • Free, no-obligation consultation where we can meet and I can answer any questions.
  • Two prenatal visits to your home to discuss and plan your desired birth.  I provide information but you decide.
  • Continuous communication during pregnancy and initial postpartum period through phone and email.
  • I will be on call for your birth from two weeks before your due date.
  • For labor support, I will meet with you before the birth and I will stay with you until one to two hours after the birth.
  • Up to two 1-hour postpartum home visits to discuss your feelings about the birth and to provide breastfeeding assitance.

Backup Doulas:
  • I have handpicked highly trained backup doulas that will take my place in case an emergency prevents me from attending your birth. 
Your Birth Experience:

Before The Birth
  • The first prenatal visit will take place about two months before your due date. We will start creating a birth plan based on the vision of your birth. This is your birth, and I bring no agenda into the birth.
  • Your second prenatal visit takes place about one month before your due date. We will then finalize your choices and go over them so that I understand them fully to be able to assist you as best as I can. We will also go over some positions that will help you before and during labor, in addition of some breathing techniques.
During The Birth
  • My goal during labor is to help you carry out your preferred birth plan. I will support, respect, and nurture you every step of the way.
  • In order to make this journey healthy and positive, I will assist you with breathing techniques, positioning, and most importantly, unconditional devotion to your emotional and physical needs to make your birth the most positive and empowering experience possible for you and your partner.
  • I will help your partner provide support with whatever your partner is comfortable with, and I can ensure that your partner has a main support role. We work as a team in such a special, sacred time.
  • I can also help you more effectively communicate with your medical care-providers/hospital staff; but as a doula, I do not make decisions for you or speak on your behalf.
  • After the birth, I will stay with you until you are comfortable and settled down as a family. I will also help with initial breastfeeding.
After The Birth
  • Around 1-2 weeks after the birth, we will schedule one or two postpartum visits to see how you are adjusting to life with your newborn. I can also see how breastfeeding is going and help if needed. During these visits, I would like to get your perspective on the birth,  we can talk about any questions you may have, and I could give you your birth log.

POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES
As your postpartum doula, I will:
  • Nurture you and your family to help ease your transition into motherhood.
  • Support you and your family so that you can best care for the newborn.
  • Provide emotional and breastfeeding support along with teaching and assistance with practical newborn care tips.
  • Teach and encourage you to interpret your baby's cues and to trust your instincts in responding to the baby's needs. I’ll know that I have done my job well when you no longer need me or need me less often.

Postpartum doula services include:
My postpartum services are customised to meet the unique needs of each family. I will meet with you beforehand to help determine how I might best support you and meet your family’s needs.  The type of care provided by me will be based on the priorities and needs of your family. Some of the postpartum doula  services I provide are:

  • Unconditional nurturance and emotional support.
  • Evidence-based breastfeeding support.
  • Postnatal maternity care.
  • Newborn care and education.
  • Support for postpartum disorders.
  • Sibling guidance and encouragement on welcoming the new baby.
  • Helping parents to develop their own style of nurturing and bonding.
  • Resources and referrals when needed or requested.

Postpartum doulas in today's society:
Traditionally, new parents benefited from the support and nurturing of family members who provided experience and wisdom. In present day society, this kind of postpartum help to new parents is seldom available.  A popstpartum doula fills this void helping the family during this transition period so that the adjustment is better. This is why new parents and their families value the services of a postpartum doula.

My rates are afordable,  contact me for more information. I look forward to talking to you!