| Offering Doula Services to Birthing Families in Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake Counties DoulaBella provides education, information, and continuous support throughout the birth experience. |
| Debra Merritt Bruflat CD(DONA), CPD(DONA),ICCE |
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| To learn more call today! (707) 291-4086 |
15 years through birth doula support, postpartum doula support, and through teaching childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care classes. As the mother of 4 and grandmother of soon to be six, I believe birth is an amazing experience in a woman's life that she will always remember. Studies have shown that when a woman is nurtured through the experience she is more motherly and nurturing to her infant after the birth. How you are cared for in the birth makes all the difference in how you remember the experience. I am a certified doula and postpartum doula through Doulas of North America International, a certified childbirth educator through international Childbirth Educators Association, and a Lactation Specialist. I am a Certified Community Health Worker as well. As a doula I like to meet with you several times to get to know you and your partner or family. I want you to know your options for childbirth and to help you to create the birth you desire. During birth I help you by providing the emotional support only someone that is there throughout the experience can provide. Caregivers such as nurses and doctors have to be concerned with medical issues and are often in and out of the birth room. As your doula I am there just to care for you, encourage you, and offer physical support through position changes to optimize your baby's position for birth, massage, and advocating for your wishes for the birth. I am not there to take your partner's place but to care for them as well as they experience birth and to suggest ways they can help you. I come into the birth at any point you desire support at your home or the hospital and stay with you until you are nursing your little one and ready to rest. I visit in the home after the birth to discuss your birth experience with you and to help you with your postpartum adjustment. I am experienced in hospital, birth center, and home birth. I have helped many women achieve a successful vaginal birth after a cesarean birth. I have supported many women in water birth. I would welcome the opportunity to talk with you to see if i am the right doula for you and your partner. Call or email today if you would like to interview me in person or by phone. The consult interview is free. The charge for my birth doula services is $850.00. Some insurance companies reimburse for doula services. I have a provider number for you to bill your insurance. Payment plans possible as well. |
| Testamonials from my clients |
| From Mom: I wanted to sincerely thank you for the help and support in the preparation, labor and birth of my son Brody. I appreciated the few times we met prior to the beginning of labor to discuss the process and you answered so many of my questions. This being my first child your support encouraged me to seek out the ideal labor that I desired and IT WAS everything I wanted it to be. My doctor gave me direction, and being a nurse myself I had some knowledge, however you provided me a more thourough explanation of what to expect and what options I had to personalize the experience. Your suggestions regarding labor positions and pain distraction methods were invaluable. The pictures that you caught of my husband and I during labor are so very special. And the when the pain got the best of me, your encouragement to keep going empowered me to to for that med free labor I desired. I especially enjoyed meeting with you at my home to discuss the labor and birth. This was special because you helped me put in order the events that took place and filled in some of the gaps for me. You are a special woman who is deeply devoted to her craft of helping moms achieve their goals and helping husbands to better support their wives in this vunerable time. It is obvious that you love what you do. Thank you for also being available after the birth to continue to offer breastfeeding support. We are grateful that you were there to help us. |
| From Dad: When my wife and I started to talk about out birth plan we decided that a "natural birth" would be preferrable. I felt pretty strongly that this would be a great way to have our little boy. The problem was I wasn't the one pushing the little guy out! So when we tried to figure out a good way to go about having our baby naturally a friend suggested that we look into retaining a doula. I was unfamiliar with the term doula. In fact I had no clue what they even had to do with the whole birthing process. I just knew that my wife and I wanted to attempt a natural birth and if it took a doula for her to give it a try, I figured what the heck. Before our first meeting I was sceptical. My wife and I are both health professionals, and I figured " We're educated, why would we need any help?" Once Debbie explained exactly who she is, and what she can provide for the family I felt a little bit better. It wasn't until we started having questions that the books didn't address and the classes barely explained that I started realizing the value of having a doula. Her profession is birthing, and her years of experience and education are at your family's disposal, which was very comforting for my wife and I. I found that Debbie served a very broad role throughout our son's birth. Debbie was an educator, planner, family advocate, emotional support, and all around assistant to name a few of the services provided. Throughout the last portion of her pregnancy my wife called her several times with questions or concerns. Debbie was extremely helpful putting my wife's mind at ease and assuring her that everything was normal. During labor Debbie was awesome. I read the books and went to the classes and I knew I wanted to be involved and hands on with my wife's labor. To tell you the truth I felt a little uncomfortable about having someone try to take control from me... it never happened. Debbie was always helpful and never once " got in the way" or " took control". She read the situation and provided support, advice,a nd assistance seamlessly throughout the labor and birth. She was invaluable. We got the natural birth we wanted-in no small part from the services provided by Debbie. Our little guy was born healthy and very alert. He breastfed quickly and with some tips provided by Debbie we've been doing well since.I can't say enough about how much she has helped us. If the idea of using a doula gets thrown out there, give it serious consideration. Take it from a couple of skeptics, my wife and I are very pleased with our doula experience. Do your homework, interview a few doulas to find one that fits your personailties and needs. Make sure you ask around and take everything-personality, experience, education, reputation, and price before making your choice |
| Joe, Jenner, and son Brody, born June 29, 2009 |
| Jason, Teresa, and son Justin, born June 5, 2009 |
| When thinking about the birth of our child we knew we wanted a natural labor and delivery. When we started to explore the idea of using a doula, we quickly realized the potential benefits. The minute we met Debbie we felt comfortable with her and confident in her abilities. When it came time to have the baby, we could not have achieved our goal of having a natural birth without Debbie by our sides. Mom was able to be engaged throughout the process. She was able to have a natural birth thanks to Debbie's insights and suggestions with regards to postions, breathing techniques, and interventions. All of these things were crucial in helping us bring a healthy baby into the world in a way we can be proud of. Debbie also gave Dad an opportunity to be a key part of the team, creating a special place for him to support mom in every way possible. Debbie was with us throughout the entire process and treated us not only from a physical standpoint but also an emotional one. Our son is happy and healthy- the ultimate goal. We would recommend Debbie to anyone without hesitation- she is truely a master at what she does. She is truely amazing. |
| Call today for a free appointment to talk about your plans for birth and to see if I am the doula for you! (707) 291-4086 Debdoula234@aol.com |
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| Helpful links Doulamatch.net Dona.org http://thedoulaconnection.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/Debdoula.DebMe rittBruflat?ref=profile |
| Doula Services |
| Dear Debbie, I wanted to thank you for everything surrounding the birth of Dean. Too much to list and words can't do justice to the guidance and support you gave! Thanks also for the pictures, they are amazing_ I can't believe I did all that! It wouldn't have been the same without you, thank you for making it the incredible day it was! |
| Suzanne, Chris, and son Dean Born February 21, 2010 |
