Mary M. | Doula in Virginia Beach, VA

Mary Martin Doula

    Practice overview

    As your birth doula, I support you in preparing for birth and navigating the unexpected. As you ask questions and make choices about your birth preferences, I listen and discuss options with you. I am knowledgable about evidence-based birth information and you are the expert on you, your body, your baby, and your family. My goal is always to listen to what you need and provide safe, nurturing space to discuss any topic. I also provide group or individual birth education if that is something you desire.

    When the time for your birth arrives, I go when and where you need me, home, hospital, birth center or a combination. I provide physical support through massage, counter pressure, and other physical comfort measures. I follow your lead when you know just what you need and make suggestions when you need fresh ideas. I also support the loved ones you choose to have in your birth space, through reassurance, encouragement, giving them a break or going on a food run. I build rapport with your entire birth support team through kindness and respect as we all strive together to support your best birth experience.

    After your baby is born, I continue to be available in the early postpartum days by phone or to visit and check in. I can help you navigate any questions or challenges that have come up and help connect you to additional professional resources you need.

    Years experience

    3

    Families supported

    14

    Birth Rate

    850

    Hourly Rate

    $30

    Care philosophy

    During a career of Coast Guard service, caring for my community became as important to me as life-saving missions, so I have transitioned to full-time birth work. I love encouraging and supporting families through pregnancy, birth, life, work and return to work after the birth of a child. Whether at a hospital, home or birth center, every family and birth benefits from education and support.

    Services

    • General childbirth education classes
    • Birth doula support
    • Postpartum doula support
    • Virtual doula support

    Specialties and Experience

    • Families conceiving with ART and IVF
    • Previous life trauma
    • Single parents
    • Survivors of sexual abuse
    • Waterbirth

    Care settings

    • Birthing center
    • Home
    • Hospital

    Languages

    • English

    Credentials

    • Certified Birth Doula (CD, Doula Trainings Intl)
    • Certified Birth Educator (Doula Trainings Intl)

    Connect

    Pricing packages

    Birth Doula Basic Package
    $ 850
    Two prenatal sessions Text/phone support ahead of birth On-call for your birth from 3 weeks ahead to 2 weeks after your due date In-person birth support where & when you need it One postpartum visit
    Sliding scale pricing available
    Contact for additional pricing options

    Private Class Birth Education
    $ 240
    Four part series: Weekend intensive or four week class series scheduling available. Contact me for flexible scheduling options. Topics covered include: Your Birth Vision: All the options! Birth settings, pregnancy, nutrition, providers, stages of birth, birth preferences, options and interventions. Preparing for Birth: Labor activities, positions, comforts, stages and signs Preparing for Postpartum: Postpartum care planning, feeding and sleep, basic newborn care, parent care
    Sliding scale pricing available
    Contact for additional pricing options

    Group Class Birth Education
    $ 80
    Four part series: Weekend intensive or four week class series scheduling available. Contact me for flexible scheduling and current offerings. Price includes attendance of support person of your choice. Topics covered include: Your Birth Vision: All the options! Birth settings, pregnancy, nutrition, providers, stages of birth, birth preferences, options and interventions. Preparing for Birth: Labor activities, positions, comforts, stages and signs Preparing for Postpartum: Postpartum care planning, feeding and sleep, basic newborn care, parent care
    Sliding scale pricing available
    Contact for additional pricing options

    Location

    Areas served

    • Virginia Beach
    • Norfolk
    • Chesapeake
    • Hampton Roads
    • Portsmouth
    • Suffolk
    • Newport News

    • Sarah
      December 10, 2022 at 10:18 am | Peer review
      5 /5

      15 years ago Mary supported me as a peer during my pregnancy and her passion for birth has never subsided. I now have the pleasure to collaborate with her as a fellow doula and childbirth educator and work alongside her as she supports birthing people in an inclusive, compassionate, and holistic way. She brings both personal and professional experience that allows her to provide calm and competent support in all birthing stories, whether its in-hospital, birth center, and in-home birth. Mary is a kind friend and tireless advocate to walk alongside your birthing journey.

    • Jon
      December 10, 2022 at 10:20 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mary was above and beyond what we expected when hiring a doula for the birth of our first child. Mary met with us a few times prior to birth to go over birth “preferences” and what we should expect. Funny enough, we knew Mary had work travel about a week before our due date and that she would be out of town one night. Of course, my wife went into labor the second day of her trip! Despite having already been through a long day, Mary drove straight from the airport to the hospital upon her arrival back to the area and was there to guide us through the birth. If Mary had not moved out of the area, we would 100% be hiring her for our second child who is on the way. Any expecting family should feel very comfortable in the capable hands of Mary!

    • Catherine
      December 10, 2022 at 10:21 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mart was incredibly supportive and present with my husband and I during the birth of our second child. She was always available and easy to communicate with for birth preparation and any questions throughout my pregnancy. Her resources on preparing for breastfeeding were particularly helpful. I completely trusted her and appreciated her calm, steady presence with me during labor. She was supportive as well for my husband, and we are thankful for her help in making our birth experience so wonderful! Highly highly recommend her to anyone.

    • Jamie
      December 12, 2022 at 10:58 am | Client review
      5 /5

      “As a first time parent Mary made all the difference in helping me feel prepared and empowered for birth. She openly listened to and answered all of my questions and concerns, never making me feel rushed. She shared evidence based information and hands on practice. Because of Mary I felt more prepared and confident going into my birthing journey. During the birth Mary was an amazing support. She educated and guided us as we went to have the birth we wanted and helped us navigate and feel heard whenever things didn’t go to plan. Mary is warm, encouraging, and exactly what I could’ve hoped for in a doula. I would recommend her to my family and friends.”

    • Shoshana
      December 12, 2022 at 11:15 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mary was referred to my husband and I through a friend. She was extremely professional, quick to communicate, and an overall calming presence through the entire prenatal and birthing process. Personally and professionally, Mary understands the prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences, which helps her understand the myriad of circumstances that may happen to a client. She was extremely helpful to calm my anxiety about labor (my biggest life fear) and was a champion in helping me through my birth preferences. Mary had some travel roughly around my due date and she was very upfront with the dates, a back up plan if needed, and even checked in while she was away. I ended up going into labor when she was on her way back from the trip; Mary came straight from the airport and stayed with us through the birth of our daughter and made sure we were settled in following the birth before she left. We are so thankful for Mary during this experience! Would absolutely recommend her to anyone!

    • Michele
      December 12, 2022 at 11:28 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mary was very compassionate and listened to my desires before the delivery. In the delivery room she was able to adapt to what I asked for (even though it was slightly different than what I had indicated in our previous meeting). Mary elevated my birthing experience with her presence. She was an asset to my husband and I in the delivery room.

    • Larkin
      December 13, 2022 at 10:35 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mary was a wonderful doula when I had my son. Before his birth, she would always answer any questions I had and put me at ease about the delivery process. During my delivery, she was incredibly supportive and always advocating for what I wanted. She was a constant support and comfort for me and even helped me grapple with my son being sent to the NICU. Highly recommend Mary and will definitely want her part of my future delivery!

    • Whitney
      December 29, 2022 at 11:45 am | Client review
      5 /5

      Mary is an essential part of your pregnancy/birth team and a valuable resource in preparing you for everything. She led a one-on-one birth education session for my spouse and I when many resources were unavailable in Spring 2020. While we could not have a doula with us in the hospital, Mary was an on-call resource for any questions we had or things we needed explained. She was fantastic and I can only imagine how incredible she would be actually in the room!

    • Jasmine
      June 23, 2023 at 12:41 am | Client review
      5 /5

      As a second time parent I thought maybe I didn’t need a Doula, but decided to hired Mary and I am so glad I did! Mary came with so much experience, enthusiasm and knowledge. She taught me new and innovative techniques that really set this birth experience bar high. My birthing experience with her was even better than the first time! If you are wondering if Mary will be a good fit for you the answer is YES! She’s an excellent doula and I will definitely be hiring her again for my next birth.

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