Thank you for taking the time to visit my site! I am a birth doula, working with expectant mothers in Greater Berks County. Questions are welcome, please contact me at any time. Congratulations! By visiting this site, you are taking the next steps to be better educated on your birthing options. Better education means more knowledge which will help you feel relaxed and prepared for one of the most incredible experiences of being a woman—delivering a child. With the assistance and support of a birth doula, you, your baby and your partner will have a more comfortable experience. Ever since she could remember, Erica Hesselson has always been drawn to children. At age 11, she started her first job as a mother’s helper for a young boy, Christopher. Erica has always loved working with people, and when she found the Doula field, she found her calling. Being “in the room,” as Eve Ensler would put it, has been an awe-inspiring experience and to offer support and encouragement is aligned with Erica’s Social Work background. She has witnessed several births and wants to expand her services to those in need—eventually hoping to create a multi-service non-profit, around the needs of women. Living in Berks County has offered Erica many rich experiences. Since birth and sex can be considered “hush, hush” topics, her mission is to encourage people to talk about their experiences as women, and as mothers. With a License in Social Work, Erica also works as a clinician at Berkshire Psychiatric. You can reach her at Erica.hesselson@gmail.com or (610) 413-6516. TESTIMONIAL: "Hiring Erica as our doula was one of the very best decisions we made as we prepared for the arrival of our first child. We interviewed several potential candidates, but Erica was the clear choice from the moment we met her—not only was she experienced and competent, she was also warm, friendly, and so easy to talk to. We felt comfortable with her right away, and we knew that she was someone we could trust with this very intimate and vulnerable moment in our lives. We met with Erica several times before our son was born, and she gave us great information, helpful positions and exercises to practice, and lots of books for reference. When my water broke a month early, she dropped everything to meet us at the hospital; she massaged me, held my legs, and coached me through childbirth so that my husband could just focus on holding my hand and comforting me. I have a very distinct memory of Erica telling me to be strong like a mother tiger when I felt like I couldn't push anymore! We are so happy that we found Erica, and we will wholeheartedly recommend her to every expectant parent we know." TESTIMONIAL: "A wonderful source of information, encouragement and support for us on our first birth journey! For those considering a doula in Greater Berks County, I would absolutely recommend Erica." A doula is a support person for a laboring woman and her partner. A birth doula will attend to the family before, during, and once after the birth to offer continued support. As your birth doula, I will deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition in to the hospital enviornment and be there through changing shifts to provided consistent emotional and physical support. I will serve as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support through the entire labor. According to DONA, the Doulas of North America, as your doula:
What are the benefits of using a Birth Doula?* With a study group of 600 normal labors, the research team of Klaus, Kennell and Klaus found that the use of a doula had an incredibly positive affect on the outcome of the birth experience compared to births without the additional support. In 1989, they did the first large scale study to investigate the use of continuous one-on-one support in labor. The most currently researched benefits of doula support as reported by Hodnett's Meta Analysis:
* Reference: Hodnett E, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003. Issue 3, Art. No. CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766. Before your birth, we will meet in the comfort of your home to discuss your birth plan. We can go over different topics including birth options, pain management, relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills, labor massage, the importance of your partner's role, and assistance in various helpful positions. As a Birth Doula, I will help you with creating a birth plan, ease pain, create a menu of positions during birth, and support you after the delivery. I will meet with you a total of three times, once before the birth to share information about the doula role, the birth process, pain management, traditional and alternative births, and answer any questions. Once you are in active labor, I will be there from start to finish to support you and your partner with anything you need. I can even take pictures of your baby being born—capturing those first moments of mommy and child together. Additional Services: Photo Service At Birth - $50.00 1. What is a birth doula? 2. Where does the word “doula” come from? 3. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes? 4. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother? 5. How do doulas practice? 6. Does a doula replace nursing staff? 7. Does a doula make decisions on my behalf? 8. Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? Adapted from www.dona.org Click here for a resource list for clients in Berks County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area.The PDF includes contact information for healthcare, doulas, support groups, shelters, childcare, and other relevant resources. Email: Erica.hesselson@gmail.com Any time by cell: (610) 413-6516 |
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