MOONCAT
Doula Services
ABOUT ME
My name is Rachel Vaughan, and I have been proud to serve as a doula since 2018. I came to this work after bringing my oldest child earthside and experiencing firsthand the importance of support, informed consent, empowerment, advocacy, and confidence during pregnancy, childbirth, and new parenthood. Through my own training and education as well as the stories of friends, clients, and other birth workers, I have witnessed the transformative power of a doula for both the birthing person and partner in the birth space and beyond. Holding this sacred space for you is truly one of my greatest responsibilities and deepest joys, and I would be honored to join you on your journey.
I am trained as a professional birth and postpartum doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association), and am certified in Gilligan's Guide for optimal fetal positioning. I am passionate about providing parents and families with unconditional support, evidence-based information, and confident self-advocacy – and above all helping you feel empowered, prepared, relaxed, and ready for whatever your journey holds. As your doula, I have no agenda other than to support YOU in your own individual desires and wishes…my ethos is that the things that are important to you are the things that are important to me.
Outside of my birth work, I am a mother to four beautiful children; one born in the hospital and three at home (fun fact: the video of the birth of my first son went viral on Motherly due to a feature on pandemic home births…over 2 million people have watched me push a baby out!). On any given day you might find me wearing various dress-up items, teaching myself how to garden, singing the entire Brandi Carlile discography from memory, or compulsively organizing something…and sometimes all of the above! I’m also an avid amateur baker and will 100% bring treats to your prenatal and postpartum appointments :)
Why Hire a Doula?
"If a doula were a drug, it would be
unethical not to use it."
-Dr. John H. Kennell
Doulas are professionally trained to provide evidence-based information and education as well as physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. We are the most consistent and present members of your birth team, and are 100% there to support YOU, unconditionally, lovingly, and without judgment. Doulas aren't just for home birth or unmedicated birth...they are for everyone!
A doula can be the least expensive insurance policy there is...continuous labor support from a doula statistically results in fewer unwanted interventions,
shortened labor,
decreased need for medical pain relief, lower Cesarean birth rates, higher APGAR scores for baby, and more. Less intervention = lower overall costs associated with birth.
A good doula doesn't replace a spouse or partner in the birth space...they support them as well! The non-birthing parent is also going through a big emotional experience during childbirth and postpartum; a doula can teach comfort measures and supported labor positions, serve as a "go-fer" for snacks and supplies, provide reassurance and a calming presence, and take the pressure off your partner to remember all the details from your classes and books.
Birthing parents who work with a doula report higher satisfaction with birth experience regardless of outcome, meaning that even if your birth doesn't go 100% to plan you can still feel confident, empowered, and joyful about your experience. According to one study, "a skilled doula empowers a woman to communicate her needs and perceptions and actualize her dream of a healthy, positive birth experience."
Curious about even more reasons to hire a birth or postpartum doula?
Click here!
SERVICES
Labor & Birth
Postpartum
Additional Services
Physical, emotional, mental, and practical support during pregnancy, labor, and birth.
For the fourth trimester...meal prep, new baby care, breast/chestfeeding support, and more...all in service of nourishing you during this time of healing and bonding.
The birthing and postpartum experience can be all-consuming for parents; I'm here to ensure you can focus on the journey.