Hello, I'm Kristen Schell
As a birth doula, I walk along side you and your partner (or other support person) on this journey to bring your baby into this world. I’m like your personal Yoda or guide as you navigate your way into early parenthood. As a doula, I provide physical, emotional and informational support for you and your partner before, during and after your baby’s birth.
The evidence is clear.
Doulas make a difference in your birth experience.
Source: *Evidence Based Birth, “The Evidence on Doulas.” **DONA International, “Position Paper: The Birth Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity Care” by Penny Simkin
How does this work?
Did you know that Michigan Medicaid now covers doulas?
You can get prenatal, birth and postpartum support. You get the doula services and I'll bill the Medicaid insurance on your behalf and they pay for the doula services.
If you hire me, I offer 24/7 phone/email support throughout your pregnancy. We’ll meet two or three times during your pregnancy to discuss what you hope to have occur in your baby’s birth and then prepare for that and make plans. I empower you by helping you get the evidence-based information and resources you need to make informed decisions about your baby’s birth.
I’ll be on call for your birth starting two weeks before your estimated due date until the baby is in your arms. So that’s up to a month of coverage!
I support birthing persons in whatever informed decision they make about birth – medicated or unmedicated birth, vaginal deliveries, cesarean (c-sections), or VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean).
When labor starts, I arrive as soon as you want me to – whether that means meeting you at home or at the hospital. Then I provide continuous non-medical support during labor and birth for not only you but also your partner. So this looks different for everyone.
I’ll suggest comfort measures such as using a fan, dimming the lighting, playing music, using the birthing ball, position changes to help baby navigate through the pelvis, massaging, help get your voice heard, and offering encouragement. All those measures are designed to help you feel calm, comfortable and safe as much as possible in the birthing space. I’ll help your partner by giving them ideas on how to help you and make sure that you both are getting fueled by food and drinks.
Then we’ll meet postpartum in your home to check in on how things are going with your new life with your baby and process your birth.
Extended Postpartum Care Options Available
We can talk to your Medicaid insurance company and your medical provider about getting additional postpartum visits authorized if you want more at-home support during the first 12 months of the baby's life. It can look like light housekeeping, taking care of baby so that you can rest, shower or sleep. It can also look like additional emotional and informational support as you adjust to life with the new baby! It's usually a 2 or 4 hours shift at a time.
Photo Credit: Lake City Doula
Photo Credit: Lake City Doula
Clients' Testimonials
Morgan M.
Birth doula client
We are SO happy that we worked with Kristen as our birth doula and photographer. Starting during pregnancy, she had great advice about stretches to mitigate discomfort. We also met ahead of time to talk about birth/preferences. During labor and delivery, she was such an incredible support and advocate. With her present, my mom and husband could take the chance to rest or go to the hospital cafeteria for food. She also had such a wealth of knowledge about different laboring positions that successfully helped rotate my baby in utero so that he was in the optimal position for birth. Finally, she made sure to check in with me to make sure I had the chance to ask questions of my doctor and nurses when complications came up -- she ensured that my choices were respected and I felt so empowered!!
Nicole B.
Birth Doula Client
Kristen was excellent! She did a great job of learning about me, my family, and our wishes for the birth of our daughter. She provided resources to help with birth that were consistent with what I wanted. I’m honestly not sure I could have made it through my unmedicated natural birth without her. She texted me the whole day until it was determined it was go time, then she was there immediately when my husband couldn’t make it for a while due to finding help for our older child. For several hours Kristen helped me through the most intense pain of my life and was able to keep me on track with my plan. Even better, she got some amazing pictures of the birth that I will cherish forever. Highly recommend!
Sydney Hall
Birth DOula Client
As I prepared for my second baby and first attempt at a VBAC I knew I needed a doula to increase my chances of getting the birth I envisioned. Kristen made herself available to me when I was due in less than a month. I went into labor before we were able to have our first prenatal appointment but luckily we were able to discuss some things in the consult so she had an idea of what I was hoping for. When I went into labor I knew she was working to make sure I felt safe and was in the right environment to give birth in. Even during the repeat c-section Kristen was giving support and helped my partner support me. Kristen took all the photos and videos I wished I would have had with my first birth. Kristen was nothing short of amazing and I would absolutely recommend her and suggest having her on your team for birth. She made the c-section I was so against and scared of into the best birth I could have asked for.
Interested in having me as a part of your dream birth team?
Contact me for a consult over a video call!
Photo Credit: Lake City Doula