Childbirth Education

The focus of this class is to tap into a birth experience that is led by your voice. The knowledge gained from this course will assist you in making informed decisions along your birth journey. Becoming grounded in the power of your own body, examining the stages of labor while exploring how self-advocacy and communication with your birth team may arise during each stage. We will also discuss your vision for your postpartum while building a plan to support you in the early days/weeks of this new transition. This class is inclusive of all members of your birth team - a space that honors everyone's role on this journey to build up the birthing person's autonomy in decision-making and advocacy.

Lactation Support (CLC)

Price dependent on service

My support is focused on helping to establish a baby feeding relationship that fosters bonding, nourishment and meets your goals.

In-Home Prenatal ($75):

We will cover what to do immediately after birth for your baby feeding start, how to facilitate your baby’s natural breastfeeding abilities, learn how the birth experiences can affect the breastfeeding relationship and how to manage. Along with preparing support people and/or partners in their participation to enhance the feeding relationship.

In-Home Postnatal ($125):

Once baby has arrived, I will perform an in-home evaluation of your feeding relationship (breastfeeding/chestfeeding, pumping, and/or bottle-feeding). We will discuss and work to resolve any issues that may have arisen and any additional concerns. Together we will create a care plan that supports your need and includes follow-up support.

Virtual Support ($95):

Once baby has arrived I will perform a video assessment of your feeding relationship (breastfeeding/chestfeeding, pumping, and/or bottle-feeding). We will discuss and work to resolve any issues that may have arisen and any additional concerns. Together we will create a care plan that supports your need and includes follow-up support.

Birth/Postpartum Photography

$1,200

I often express to people that I am obsessed with all things birth. While those sentiments are true, I have found that what I'm truly in love with from the experience of birth are the stories that are unveiled.

Capturing your birth in this way honors the depths of your story. A visual representation of the parts you may not always have the words for. A piece of the journey that you can hold intimately and also share.

This modality of birth storytelling will be continuous learning for me - but I’m grateful to all the families adding me on their birth team to capture the depths of their stories in this way!

This offering includes:

• On call 24/7 starting at 37 weeks

• I will be by your side from active labor up to 2-hours postpartum

• Editing and delivery of high-resolution digital photos

• Printing/usage rights

• Prints and album

*This offering can also just be a focus on your postpartum period (first 48 hours) or babyfeeding journey*

The Unfold - A photojournalistic Family Session

$475-$1,075

These sessions are unposed and undirected - yet led by the nuances of your everyday life. My doula work is embedded in the fabric of my photography. I am a bridge, holding space for your moment of time. The images captured are reverence to your experience. Letting your story unfold in a way that reflects the essence of you.

This offer includes;

• 2 to 8 hours of capturing you, as you are =)

• Choice of location(s)

• Editing and delivery of high-resolution digital photos

• Printing/usage rights

• Prints and album

Creative Mini Session

$325

Maybe you’re hosting an event, have a new creative endeavor, creating memories with family and/or friends, or just looking to capture yourself - this is for you.

This offer includes;

• 2 hours of capturing images

• Editing and delivery of high-resolution digital photos

• In-home, ride-along, your place of preference or location of photographers choice

-Sara & Trevin Price

My husband and I welcomed our daughter in February 2021. Pregnancy and birth during the pandemic gave us a bit of anxiety, on top of being first time parents we sought a doula to educate us and provide individualized support along the way. When we connected with Laurel, it was clear she had the nurturing, confident, kind, caring and curious mentality we were looking for. We live in Maryland and Laurel is in Ohio we knew her support would be virtual, which worked perfectly (the hospital wouldn’t allow in-person support anyways!) We found having Laurel available virtually that she was there for us whenever we needed her. She provided virtual birth education to my husband and I where we became much more prepared for what was to come, she took time to answer all our questions and we felt very supported. During our birth, Laurel face timed us to provide guidance. This allowed for us to really have the perfect birth experience which is something we will cherish forever. We highly recommend Laurel’s services and are so grateful we had her as part of our birth journey!

-Modupe Qayyim

Overall and most important, Laurel served as an advocate during the day of delivery. She was very active and engaging with the hospital staff while managing and supporting my labour. She ensured that my birth plan was being followed by asking hospital staff questions and ensuring that I knew exactly what was being done as my labour intensified, I could not have asked for a better coach. She rose to the occasion!

-Teresa & Bradley Martinez

Twelve weeks ago, my beautiful baby girl was brought into the world, but from the moment the test said positive, I was an anxiety-ridden mess. I knew I would need a lot of extra support. I needed people around me that were caring and understanding, and ready to guide me through any situation that arose. So I went in search of a doula, and from the moment I saw Laurel's profile on her site, I knew she would be the kind, caring and supportive person I needed. She put me at ease the first day I met her. My husband felt the same way. We were both incredibly nervous, but Laurel was there to help provide useful information, techniques for relaxation, a listening ear and comfort. Even when the big day came, she was by my side as fast as she could get there. She helped me to relax just by sitting with me and talking. Even when my plans were crushed, and I found out I would need a c-section, Laurel stayed the whole time to comfort my family, and be there to make sure I was okay afterwards. She contacted me every day that I was in the hospital, and offered to be there if I needed her. Once I was home, she came to visit to make sure I was adjusting well, and just to help out where she could. Her services were invaluable, and I appreciated her every step of the way. If I ever decided to do it again, I would not hesitate to contact Laurel.

-Melody Maynard

Laurel attended the birth of my son in September 2017. My husband and I had been dealing with fertility issues, and we were thrilled to find out we were pregnant! I began researching doulas in the early stages, but was unsure if I wanted to spend money on an “unnecessary” service. Thankfully, sometime in the 3rd trimester, I decided that the support of a doula was necessary after all. When I saw Laurel’s profile on Central Ohio Doulas, I was convinced that her kind face and smile were exactly what I needed for labor support! From our very first phone call, I felt heard and understood.

As baby’s due date came closer, I began dealing with prodromal labor contractions that would last up to twelve hours at a time. For almost three weeks, Laurel talked to me on the phone during contractions and after every doctor’s appointment. When the time came for an induction, Laurel was quick to arrive, and she provided seemingly endless physical support throughout my back labor. Whenever I got frustrated, she reminded me that I was “birthing in love”, and that any decisions I had to make were made out of love for my baby. That became my mantra throughout delivery. Because of her support, I was able to safely birth my baby without an epidural. Laurel was well-respected by the nurses and hospital staff, and together with my family and friends, we made an amazing birthing team.

After baby arrived earthside, Laurel continued to check in with me, and offered practical advice on infant care and breastfeeding. She was the perfect balance of “personal” and “professional”, and I would highly recommend her to any expecting family.

-Brittany Papanek-Godwin

Wow! Where does the time go? Laurel was an amazing support person for the birth of my son in August. She was always available for questions before hand and provided my husband and I with a lot of guidance and advice on how to be best prepared. During the birth, she was instrumental in keeping me focused and on task. She took pictures that I could never thank her enough for. So much is going on all at once that pictures are the last thing on your mind, but they are the most pure and beautiful moments of your life. I would choose her all day long and never regret my decision. Thank you so much for your support!

-Kacie Bartimus

In early pregnancy, I considered hiring a doula, but convinced myself that the extra expense was not necessary as we were working to save money for baby. However, as I prepared to have an unmedicated birth, I found myself wanting a support person that could help me to stay present and an advocate that could help to manage the hospital system. Laurel was all of this & more. From our first meeting I felt like she was on my team. She was helpful, kind and knowledgeable, and helped me to decide on several key issues in my birth plan.

On the day before our baby was born, I started having contractions early in the morning that were slow to progress. Laurel stayed in close contact, giving guidance throughout early labor. When they finally picked up at 1am, I asked Laurel to come over for support. She arrived quickly and helped me labor through the night at home, timing contractions and talking to me and my husband through each stage. She suggested we go to the hospital after several hours. Once we arrived, Laurel helped us get set up in a room and was tremendously helpful in keeping me focused as my labor progressed very quickly. She took me through every moment and guided me to breathe through my contractions and effectively push when the time came. As our daughter was born, Laurel took several beautiful pictures. She then stayed until we were settled in, helping with breastfeeding and making sure we were comfortable. After we came home from the hospital, Laurel came to our house for a final visit, checking in to see how we were doing and debriefing my birth experience.

Overall, Laurel was incredibly helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. I am so glad we chose to have her as our doula, and credit her with guiding me to have the birth experience I wanted and helping us to bring our daughter safely into the world. I can't recommend her enough to anyone looking for support in their birth journey.

-Matthew Bartimus

As the husband, I was nervous about what I would be facing during labor, knowing the right time to do or say things and whether I could be there to help my wife with what she needed. Laurel provided a supportive and calm atmosphere that gave me confidence.  She showed up at 3am, was nice to our crazy dogs and timed the contractions, recommending when it was time to go to the hospital. She is knowledgeable and has a positive attitude which was assuring for my wife and meant we had a more warm and intimate experience as a couple.