Find a Doula in Grand Rapids, MI

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Found 10 Pros in Grand Rapids, MI, USA | Birth doula support
EXPERIENCE
0 50
Families served
0 3500
Birth fee
$0 $7500
HOURLY RATE
$0 $500
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Kristin Revere

Grand Rapids, MI

4 reviews • 200 families supported • 11 years experience

4 reviews • 200 families supported • 11 years experience

Gold Coast Doulas is the premier birth and postpartum doula agency in Grand Rapids and the Lakeshore communities. The firm was established in 2015 and is a certified B Corporation. We are fully insured and our team is certified.

Care philosophy

Judgment-free support from conception through the first year. Background checked, Certified, Insured.

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon,
  • Rockford, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Zeeland, Cascade
  • Ludington, Pentwater, Saugatuck, Fremont, Cadillac

Reviews

  • Kristin
    October 11, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    Thanks, Mary. I loved working with you.

$ flexible
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Lauren Sall

Grand Rapids, MI

0 reviews • 6 families supported • 2 years experience

0 reviews • 6 families supported • 2 years experience

Throughout my personal journey of being a mom I have felt that parents in this world just need more support. Plain and simple. I feel I am created to be one of those people. I created Birth With Bravery, LLC after taking my doula training in November of 2020. Bravery can be a key element in trusting your own body to do what it was created to do - and to brith with confidence and empowerment. I love to help families learn about birth, what to expect during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, as well as how to equip themselves properly. I equally love to provide as much support as I can - physically and emotionally. I strive to become a helpful hand, team member, and support to you and your partner - working together as the perfect team to welcome your baby earth side.

Care philosophy

When it comes to birth - there can be so many unknowns, and I hope to be able to provide a center of peace for you and your partner in this time. My goal is to equip all parents with feelings of confidence and bravery as they head into their labor and birth as well as during through education, good conversation, evidence based research, support, and advocacy.

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids through Holland/Grand Haven
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Rebekah Franklin

Grand Rapids, MI

15 reviews • 50 families supported • 5 years experience

15 reviews • 50 families supported • 5 years experience

Long before I discovered my passion for birth work I had a desire to help others and graduated college with a degree in Psychology. I spent years working as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital where I received extensive trainings on trauma-informed care and crisis interventions. I then moved on to working in Hospice where I helped patients and families navigate end of life decisions and comfort care. So when did I decide to become a doula? Well, when my doula changed my birthing experience for the better - I knew I wanted to do the the same for others. I started studying all things labor and birth in 2016 and absolutely LOVE sharing my gifts and professional skill sets in this space. As an evidence-based professional I make sure to bring you the most up-to-date research to help guide and support your best birth! There's one more thing you should know about me; I'm also a certified Pilates Instructor! Which means, I bring functional anatomy and pelvic floor expertise to your birthing experience. Yes! You MUST move your body and your pelvis when you're laboring your baby. With over a decade of teaching experience, I will help you understand how movement, breath, and pelvic floor muscles contribute to the outcomes of your labor and birth. Together we prepare, practice, and persist!

Care philosophy

-I believe in keeping my clients informed and empowered every step of the way. -I believe practice makes preparation for labor and birth -I believe birth is an exciting and normal, physiological process. -I believe your hard work will pay off to get you the birth you want. -Birth is not a medical emergency and should not be treated as such. Consultations are FREE, let’s chat!

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids and surrounding communities

Reviews

  • Courtney
    March 26, 2023 at 2:51 am | Client review

    Rebekah is an amazing doula and person! I knew I wanted a doula for my first born, and the stars aligned when we found her. We had no idea about the birthing process, and it was through her pre-birth classes and mentorship, we felt ready when the time came. What my husband and I did not expect, was that we’d be in labor 3 weeks early. Rebekah was there with us for it all. I wanted a natural birth, so I was in active labor for 72 hours trying everything I could to make that happen, and Rebekah was by my side coaching and supporting both my husband and I the whole time. My birthplan had many changes along the way as my body had other plans, so a lot of decisions were constantly needed to make for the next steps. Rebekah was the calm for us during these times, and her wisdom, kindness, and expertise helped guide us along the way. Our son ended up being born via C-Section, and Rebekah changed roles for a bit to be our photographer during the surgery. We now have the most beautiful birth photos we never would have had without her. As soon as our son was born and we were in the recovery room, Rebekah jumped back into her role of Doula, and helped me (a very exhausted new mama) breast feed for the first time while making those moments so powerful and beautiful. It’s a big decision to choose who you want to be with you as your child enters the world, and we guarantee you will not regret having Rebekah be that person for you!!

$ flexible
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Alaina Bierema

Grand Rapids, MI

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 2 years experience

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 2 years experience

I love and celebrate all things birth! I'm passionate about researching and gaining education on evidence based information & practices for pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. I am a Certified Gentlebirth Educator, a BEST Certified Doula, a StillBirthday Certified Doula, as well as a Community Breastfeeding Educator. I am also trained through DONA! ​

Care philosophy

I firmly believe in the power of knowledge. The more you know about your body and birth, the less you have to fear. With this, you are empowered through education, knowledge, and preparation. I am also passionate about your body! I use my endless love and knowledge of Human Anatomy and Physiology to help you prepare and support your body for birth, no matter what kind of birth you are planning!

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids
  • West Michigan
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Jillian Putman

Hudsonville, MI

3 reviews • 3 families supported • 1 years experience

3 reviews • 3 families supported • 1 years experience

I became a Doula because I find the utmost joy in uplifting others. The experience you have with birth and that crucial time after are imprinted on you for the rest of your life. I want you to look back at your story with excitement and satisfaction knowing you were empowered to make informed decisions and say "heck yes! I did this!" From the time of preparing your birth plan to labor, delivery, and continuing on through The 4th Trimester, I am professionally trained and ready to walk by your side, not in front of you, but along with you. Guiding and helping you to the point where you feel complete confidence and emotional stability in this new adventure is my goal as your Doula. I provide support via email, text and phone, prenatal visits, attendance at your birth, postpartum visits and/or continuing care of your family unit in your home. I want to see it through until you are comfortable in the beautiful role you have as a parent and caregiver to a new bundle of joy!

Care philosophy

Everyone deserves support and care that comes from a non-judgmental place of love and true desire to uplift others in this beautiful but difficult time of life. I chose to become a Doula for just that reason! Becoming a parent is a process that is challenging and rewarding. Navigate through it with an advocate by your side. I am here to help fulfil the birth and postpartum experience you desire.

Areas served

  • Kent and Ottawa Counties, Mi

Reviews

  • Shelbi
    June 7, 2022 at 4:45 am | Client review

    Jillian has the kindest heart and so much love to share. She has been my strength in times of need. She makes difficult things seem less scary and simple. She can bring calm to any situation.
    When I was a new mom, she traveled a great distance to help me with my new baby. I was so glad she was there because she is a natural with newborns. She made this post-partum time one of the best times of my life with so many happy memories.

$ flexible
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Ashley Korff

Lowell, MI

4 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

4 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

Hello! Im Ashley! My goal is to serve and empower women through pregnancy and childbirth! During these very important moments in your life, I strive to create the most positive experience for you, your partner, and your baby!

Care philosophy

My mission is to support women through all stages of pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum. You will be my priority and I will support you through the birth that you desire. I will support you in your choices and decisions.

Areas served

  • Lowell
  • Grand Rapids
  • Ada
  • Ionia
  • Lansing
  • Rockford
  • Michigan

Reviews

  • Tara
    October 7, 2022 at 2:16 pm | Client review

    Ashley is amazing! She was so helpful throughout pregnancy and especially during and after labor. I don’t think I would have made it through such a long labor without her. She is prepared for anything, so knowledgeable, kind, focused, and encouraging!

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Jessi Heins

Holland, MI

0 reviews • 22 families supported • 3 years experience

0 reviews • 22 families supported • 3 years experience

I want to support you and your support person or birthing partner in the decisions that you decide to make. No matter what. I maintain an unbiased person in the room while also providing your evidence based information. I also work with you to help keep labor moving or encourage you to rest when you need it.

Care philosophy

I strive to care for families as they transition into a family with new members. My goal is to support you in the birth that you desire. I provide emotional, physical and education support through pregnancy and delivery.

Areas served

  • Holland
  • muskegon
  • Grand Rapids
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Emily Retzlaff

Grand Rapids, MI

0 reviews • 2 families supported • 1 years experience

0 reviews • 2 families supported • 1 years experience

A birth doula is a trained professional who is dedicated to providing emotional, physical and informational support to a birthing person and their partner before, during and after birth. I was supported by a doula during the births of my two children and it was one of the best decisions I could have made. Those two births had many differences, but what they had in common is that I walked away with a sense of strength and empowerment that I had never before experienced. I knew immediately following the birth of my daughter in 2017 that I wanted to help others experience that same feeling of satisfaction with their births. Right away I started trying to learn everything I could about pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period and in May of 2019 I started training as a birth doula. No matter your personal birth preferences, I provide judgement free support and help make your birth a positive experience! I would be honored to be a part of your team.

Care philosophy

I believe birth and the postpartum period is a time of transformation. Its a time of change, learning and empowerment. I am deeply passionate about supporting families during this time and helping them achieve a positive birth experience. I believe everyone deserves to look back on the birth of their child with the knowledge that they were respected by their birth team.

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Grand Rapids, MI
$ flexible
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Carrie Stephens

Grand Rapids, MI

1 reviews • 200 families supported • 5 years experience

1 reviews • 200 families supported • 5 years experience

I believe that a birth experience should be as special and unique as each one of my clients. Certified as a DONA birth/postpartum doula and advanced trained doula & educator in VBaC births it's my goal that my clients are thoroughly educated and supported to birth THEIR way without fear or prejudice. It's truly an honor to be selected to walk with you on your journey to parenthood, to watch you grown in confidence and to be a part of such a special time in your life. My intro to motherhood was both challenging and beautiful. All those moments set me on a path and passion for improved birth & postpartum support and maternal mental health. I’m an extroverted introvert, with a love for nature, days at the lake, music, good conversation and iced coffee. When I'm not at a birth, my hands and heart are full with my three kiddos, dog and husband. I'm proud and excited to say that I've been voted a Top Provider in GRKids Best Of GR 2019 - 2022 and serve as Director for the nonprofit group The Maternal Wellness Program!

Care philosophy

I believe that pregnant individuals and their partners deserve to be supported, nurtured, and educated throughout pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period. My role as your doula is to compliment your birth team, to make sure you're knowledgeable about your birth options, rights and that you are confidently prepared (physically & mentally) to meet the challenges of labor and postpartum.

Areas served

  • Holland, MI
  • Grand Haven, MI
  • Muskegon, MI
  • Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Ottawa, Allegan Counties
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Hastings, MI
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Ada, MI
  • Zeeland, MI
  • Hudsonville, MI
  • Wyoming, MI
  • Rockford, MI
  • Grandville, MI
  • Caledonia, MI
  • Wayland, MI
  • Middleville, MI

Reviews

  • Tracey
    July 25, 2022 at 11:02 am | Client review

    I truly cannot imagine giving birth without Carrie by my side, as my doula. Carrie met with me during my pregnancy, asking thoughtful questions to help me decide on my birth plan preferences and preparing me for what to expect. During labor, Carrie provided reassurance as well as emotional and physical support. I appreciated her help in making informed decisions. Her care for me and my newborn son was invaluable, and I am so grateful.

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Allison Brito

Grand Rapids, MI

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 5 years experience

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 5 years experience

I have supported women --- birthing in the hospital as well as at home --- with and without medications --- with plenty of family and partner support, as well as with very little --- vaginal births, including after previous cesareans --- cesarean births I have been supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum for 5 years, but birth (and all things related) has been a passion of mine for much longer, as my sister is a midwife. During my two distinct labors I have experienced both challenges (back labor, anyone?!) and joys (a powerful water birth). I have a background in education and love to share knowledge and resources that can inform your choices. I am also bilingual in Spanish and English. I specialize in comfort measures, informational support, and using affirmations and other verbal measures to release fear and build confidence. In my spare time I love to perform in community theatre, travel to see family, and exercise the “spiritual gift of thrifting” that I inherited from my mother. Global impact is important to me, therefore: --- I donate a percentage of my proceeds to local organizations that fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable women and children. --- I purchase my materials (both educational and practical) from other small businesses and earth-friendly sources as much as possible.

Care philosophy

As a doula, I offer you emotional, educational, and physical support during the birthing year. I love to meet you where you are and help you achieve your goals so that you can feel satisfied with and empowered by your birth experience. I can provide references upon request!

Areas served

  • Within 30 miles of Grand Rapids, MI

Doula Services: FAQs

A doula is a professional that provides emotional, physical and educational support to new parents before, during, and after childbirth and into the early postpartum period. Doulas are companions who strive to give families a safe, positive, and healthy labor experience. They provide parents with evidence-based information and education on childbirth and are someone who the parent can turn to with questions and concerns about having a baby. Doulas also take an active role in collaborating with the parent to create a birth plan.

A certified birth doula offers advice and techniques to help reduce the stress that the parent often experiences during childbirth and provides you with education about different aspects of delivery and labor and what comes after.

There are two ways you can hire a doula through Meela in Grand Rapids, MI.  

You can browse through the available doulas in Grand Rapids, MI and send the doulas you are interested in a message, introducing yourself and setting up an interview. We recommend interviewing at least three before hiring your top doula.

You can also hire a doula in Grand Rapids, MI in three easy steps:

  1. Post a job for free: answer some questions and receive responses from top-rated doulas in Grand Rapids, MI. It takes less than 30 seconds to post your job.
  1. Get your list of Grand Rapids, MI doulas: in a few hours, you will have a collection of doulas near you who are qualified to meet your needs. You can compare pricing, experience and read reviews. You can chat with each doula to learn more about them.
  1. Hire a doula with confidence: schedule virtual or in-person interviews with your top doula choices. Hire your top doula and start getting the care you deserve.

While the cost of a doula can vary based on experience and the services offered, you can expect the average cost of a doula in Grand Rapids, MI to be $924, which is the average cost of a doula in the state of Michigan. The cost of a doula in Grand Rapids, MI can range from $721 to $1,126. These costs are based on a representative group of 48 doulas surveyed by Meela across the state of Michigan. The average cost of a doula in Michigan is about the same as the U.S. national average cost of a doula, which is $971.

When hiring a birth doula in Grand Rapids, MI, you and your doula will discuss and agree upon a fee structure, and your doula will send you itemized invoices through Meela, which you can pay securely through the app.

Some insurance companies will cover all or part of the cost of hiring a doula. Contact your insurance company to find out if they offer any coverage for hiring a doula; not all insurance companies do.

You can hire two types of doulas in Grand Rapids, MI: a birth doula and a postpartum doula. The birth doula is during your pregnancy and through the birth of your child. They provide you with emotional, physical and educational support during your pregnancy, your labor and delivery and for the first few hours after your child is born.

A postpartum doula will support you for the first few weeks after the baby is born. They provide in-home assistance, including teaching you how to take care of your newborn, acting as lactation consultant, and can provide some night nanny services.

Yes, a birth doula can provide support during a Cesarean birth and delivery. Doulas are non-medical professionals and do not replace obstetricians, physicians, midwives or nurses. They are an additive member to the team and provide emotional, physical and informational support to the birthing parent, partner and family. It is up to you whether the certified doula can remain in the operating room during the procedure.

When you hire a doula in Grand Rapids, MI, your services typically include several in-person prenatal sessions, 24/7 phone and text support, full attendance throughout your labor, and several hours of support immediately following your birth.

A doula in Grand Rapids, MI can help you in any kind of birth. Certified doulas are able to assist parents in creating the ideal “birth environment” and help parents deliver their baby safely. A doula can provide support during the birth whether it occurs in a hospital, a home, or another birth center of some kind. Doulas are there to support you in your desired birth preferences, whether that is a preference for natural, non-medicated, assisted, C-section or anything else.

Certified doulas can also act as a liaison between you and hospital staff regarding your childbirth expectations and preferences. For example, if your preference is to have a non-medicated birth, a doula can help guide you through that process and create a personalized birth plan. A certified doula in Grand Rapids, MI does not replace medical staff (such as your obstetrician and nurses).

When a surgical procedure is required, there are some situations in which a birth doula can also remain in the operating room, although this is not an expected obligation. A certified birth doula can also assist hospital staff to improve the overall birthing experience. A doula in Grand Rapids, MI will typically stay with the parents for several hours after birth to help them with birth recovery.

Evidence suggests that a birth doula in Grand Rapids, MI can help improve parent satisfaction with their baby’s birth and delivery. The involvement of a doula can also lead to shorter deliveries with less complications.

Recent studies show that parents who have a support person like a doula by their side throughout labor and childbirth are more likely to:

  1. Give birth without the need for pain medicine
  2. Describe their birth experience in a positive way
  3. Give birth without the need for medical intervention, such as C-sections or vacuum delivery
  4. Experience a shorter labor

You can hire a doula early in your pregnancy to allow you time to get to know each other and to begin planning for your later trimesters, labor, birth, and aftercare. It is ideal to hire a doula when you are around 20 weeks along, but you can start looking for one before that.

It is never too late to hire a doula in Grand Rapids, MI; you have right up to your due date to find a doula near you and receive all the benefits of doula support.

While many people think that a doula and a midwife are the same thing, their educational background and job duties are different. Doulas are non-medical professionals who provide emotional, physical and educational support, while also offering actionable advice and guidance to new parents about how to nurture their baby.

A midwife is a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or a certified midwife (CM). CNMs are medical professionals that are certified and licensed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. CMs are also certified, but they do not have nursing backgrounds.

Doulas are not medical professionals; they focus on the emotional support for the parents and the family before, during, and after the birth of the baby. Their job is to provide information, advice, and support to the family not diagnose any medical conditions or provide medical advice.

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