Warm & gracious support while helping you navigate birth preferences in your choice of home, hospital, or birth center
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Michelle Cleveland, Certified Professional Doula
The word doula is a Greek word and means 'a woman who serves' and is used to refer to a trained, experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth. She may also provide emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have found that a doula's presence helps parents to feel more secure and cared for, to adapt to the new family dynamic, to have greater success with breastfeeding, and to have more confidence as parents. A Birth Doula
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Benefits of Doula Support
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Decreased length of labor
Includes your birth partner in the process Decreased incidence of cesarean delivery Reduces need for pitocin, forceps, and vacuum extraction Fewer reports of dissatisfaction with the birth experience Babies show higher APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes Fewer complications with labor |
Increased likelihood of spontaneous, vaginal birth
Decreased use of pain relief medications during labor Doula Effect: the attachment between the laboring woman and doula decreases stress hormones Lowers overall acquired medical costs associated with birth Babies breastfeed more easily |
A Birth Doula does not
perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
give medical advice or diagnose conditions
take over the role of the partner
catch the baby
make decisions (medical or otherwise) for her client
perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
give medical advice or diagnose conditions
take over the role of the partner
catch the baby
make decisions (medical or otherwise) for her client
What's all the fuss (testimonials)
Michelle was such an incredibly calming presence and encourager during the home birth of our first baby; she remained a constant, soothing support during my long labor and delivery. Not only was she a huge help to me, but she also worked seamlessly with my husband and my midwife to keep me as comfortable and calm as possible. We are expecting our second baby and she is our obvious first choice, again, as doula. Hannah C.
Working with Michelle was by far one of the best decisions we could've made! She met with us multiple times before the birth to educate us and was always available to answer any questions we had. I labored for about 20 hours, all of which she stayed right with me. She gave us such a necessary peace and security that we didn't know we needed. Thank you, Michelle, for being more than we could've dreamed. I really couldn't have done it without you! Kayley V.
I first got Michelle's info from her past client. I was looking for someone who understood adoption and all its intricacies but who would be present and loving for the birth mom, who chose to place her baby with our family, even if she decided to parent, too. Michelle, being an adoptee, mother, doula, and just a loving person, was the exact right fit for our sweet birth mother. She was available to chat with her at any time, helped her understand what to expect in the stages of labor and was at the hospital through the long birthing process when she needed support the most. We were a state away and arrived late in the night, and Michelle was at her side, when her own mother couldn't be there. She cared for her and encouraged her to seek the best choices through the process of laboring, and our little girl came out with only a few pushes. It was a beautiful birth experience all around. Michelle is someone I would highly recommend. My two bio kiddos were home birth babies, both with doulas and midwives. If she was in my area, I'd have hired her hands down. I'm grateful she was a resource and light to our kiddo's birth mom and a great communicator with us, as well. If you are thinking about including her in your birthing plan, chat with her, meet her, and know she's always got your best interests and the baby's best interests at heart. She's everything we could have asked for and more in a doula! Corrine C.
VBAC Story: My first birth did not go as well as I had hoped, so with our second, I wanted the support of a doula for an unmedicated VBAC. My husband and I started researching doulas and found Michelle a couple weeks before my due date. She met with us and answered all our questions. Her knowledge and calming presence were exactly what we needed. My husband is a huge support for me, but it was a relief for both of us to have Michelle there to lean on and provide direction when needed. At the very end of my pregnancy, she was able to connect us with a midwife who would do a VBAC home birth. I did not want to go to the hospital for fear of being separated from my spouse (or worse, my baby) due to COVID. I also did not want to cave and get an epidural which slowed down my first labor and ultimately led to a c-section. The amazing part about having Michelle as our doula is that I could call or text with questions when needed. When my water broke, I was able to contact her and get support. Later that day I called and she arrived at the perfect time as my labor progressed. It was an intense and wonderful experience this second time around welcoming our baby girl. We have Michelle to thank for it, and she helped to make it a beautiful home birth for our family. She coached my husband, provided amazing physical and emotional support, and gave guidance when we needed it. She worked seamlessly with the midwife, as well. We cannot thank her enough! I highly recommend her for anyone attempting a VBAC. Lynessa N.
Michelle is one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met. I think doulas are vital to the birthing process, and Michelle is so nurturing and helpful. Natalie S.
I used Michelle during my two pregnancies, one c-section and the other a VBAC. She is very educated and was always available to answer any questions or talk me through any concerns I had. She has a way of making you feel comfortable and like you're her only client. I highly recommend her. She genuinely cares about you and your babies' health and making your pregnancy and labor as comfortable and smooth as possible. Linsey J.
Working with Michelle was by far one of the best decisions we could've made! She met with us multiple times before the birth to educate us and was always available to answer any questions we had. I labored for about 20 hours, all of which she stayed right with me. She gave us such a necessary peace and security that we didn't know we needed. Thank you, Michelle, for being more than we could've dreamed. I really couldn't have done it without you! Kayley V.
I first got Michelle's info from her past client. I was looking for someone who understood adoption and all its intricacies but who would be present and loving for the birth mom, who chose to place her baby with our family, even if she decided to parent, too. Michelle, being an adoptee, mother, doula, and just a loving person, was the exact right fit for our sweet birth mother. She was available to chat with her at any time, helped her understand what to expect in the stages of labor and was at the hospital through the long birthing process when she needed support the most. We were a state away and arrived late in the night, and Michelle was at her side, when her own mother couldn't be there. She cared for her and encouraged her to seek the best choices through the process of laboring, and our little girl came out with only a few pushes. It was a beautiful birth experience all around. Michelle is someone I would highly recommend. My two bio kiddos were home birth babies, both with doulas and midwives. If she was in my area, I'd have hired her hands down. I'm grateful she was a resource and light to our kiddo's birth mom and a great communicator with us, as well. If you are thinking about including her in your birthing plan, chat with her, meet her, and know she's always got your best interests and the baby's best interests at heart. She's everything we could have asked for and more in a doula! Corrine C.
VBAC Story: My first birth did not go as well as I had hoped, so with our second, I wanted the support of a doula for an unmedicated VBAC. My husband and I started researching doulas and found Michelle a couple weeks before my due date. She met with us and answered all our questions. Her knowledge and calming presence were exactly what we needed. My husband is a huge support for me, but it was a relief for both of us to have Michelle there to lean on and provide direction when needed. At the very end of my pregnancy, she was able to connect us with a midwife who would do a VBAC home birth. I did not want to go to the hospital for fear of being separated from my spouse (or worse, my baby) due to COVID. I also did not want to cave and get an epidural which slowed down my first labor and ultimately led to a c-section. The amazing part about having Michelle as our doula is that I could call or text with questions when needed. When my water broke, I was able to contact her and get support. Later that day I called and she arrived at the perfect time as my labor progressed. It was an intense and wonderful experience this second time around welcoming our baby girl. We have Michelle to thank for it, and she helped to make it a beautiful home birth for our family. She coached my husband, provided amazing physical and emotional support, and gave guidance when we needed it. She worked seamlessly with the midwife, as well. We cannot thank her enough! I highly recommend her for anyone attempting a VBAC. Lynessa N.
Michelle is one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met. I think doulas are vital to the birthing process, and Michelle is so nurturing and helpful. Natalie S.
I used Michelle during my two pregnancies, one c-section and the other a VBAC. She is very educated and was always available to answer any questions or talk me through any concerns I had. She has a way of making you feel comfortable and like you're her only client. I highly recommend her. She genuinely cares about you and your babies' health and making your pregnancy and labor as comfortable and smooth as possible. Linsey J.
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Serving Cedar City, Southern and Central Utah, and Mesquite NV |
Call/text: 435.327.2101
Michelle Cleveland |
[email protected]
@cedarcitydoula |
