Labor Support

When you come in for monthly pregnancy massage, I can give you information, referrals & “homework” to prepare your body and mind for labor. I’m trained as a doula, and used to offer this service, but I’ve been so busy in my massage practice that I no longer have time for doula services. You can read about the type of training I have and techniques I use below.

Option 2: Early Labor Support 3 hours - includes massage and other techniques to align your pelvis, uterus and baby and help labor progress/ prevent prolonged early labor. Can be done in your home or hospital.

Option 3: I will be with you the entire labor, including 2 prenatal and 1 postpartum meetings, phone/virtual support, and early labor massage.

My strengths as a Doula.

Movement and Massage are the tools I use to help you. .

I’m a highly skilled massage therapist with training in early labor massage to help your labor progress smoothly, relax you and manage discomfort.
I use massage to induce labor naturally
I use techniques to help baby into ideal position and help maximize space and movement in the pelvis to help baby pass through
I’m a trained Birth Doula , Certified Arvigo Practitioner and Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner. Below I give information about the benefits of Arvigo and Spinning Babies

Study Shows Arvigo Therapy Shortens Labor & Delivery

Suzanne Tully, Registered Midwife for over 20 years and Arvigo Practitioner from Colorado conducted the following study with 90 women of which half received Arvigo Therapy throughout pregnancy and half did not receive Arvigo Therapy. She divided the groups into 30 Primiparas (women having their first baby) and 60 Multiparas (women who've previously given birth). The results of her study are:

Did NOTreceive Arvigo Therapy

15 Primiparas (first birth)

2 of 15 labored less than 6 hours
5 of 15 labored more than 12 hours
4 of 15 pushed less than 1/2 hour

30 Multiparas (2nd+ birth)

17 of 30 labored 4 hours or less
18 of 30 pushed 10 minutes or less
2 of 30 delivered with one push

Received Arvigo Therapy throughout pregnancy

15 Primiparas

8 of 15 labored less than 6 hours
3 of 15 labored more than 12 hours
8 of 15 pushed less than 1/2 hour

30 Multiparas

18 of 30 labored 4 hours or less
20 of 30 pushed 10 minutes or less
10 of 30 delivered with one push

Based on the results of this study, Suzanne no longer accepts clients unless they include Arvigo Therapy in their prenatal care. Suzanne's C-section rate is 5%; her Induction rate is 0% and 7 of 8 VBAC's have a birth time of less than 5 hours. These findings indicate Arvigo Therapy during pregnancy can significantly ease labor, shorten birth time, shorten delivery time and prevent overstretching/ damage of uterine ligaments

What is Spinning Babies?

Spinning Babies is an approach to optimize the physical relationship between the bodies of the mother and baby for the easing of childbirth. Spinning Babies is a new paradigm that takes clues from baby’s position and station for natural, physiological solutions. Try it in any birth setting, childbirth program, or pain management plan.

Align the uterus so baby can curl and enter the pelvis as a small, compact and more active participant.
Release tight ligaments or muscles which may pull or twist, may relieve pelvic pain now or discomfort during birth.
Support what's loos in the womb or pelvics with a pregnancy belt
Open the pelvis to let baby move down during the birth process.
.Share birth wisdom with parents and providers in ever deepening layers of understanding birth

read about training to become a spinning babies aware practitioner here: https://spinningbabies.com/spinning-babies-aware-practitioner-directory/

Testimonials

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There is so much that I could say about Rosa's abilities, not only with her use of massage, but also as a doula. I first met Rosa with another doula, Kim, that I had contacted. I was pregnant with my third child. My first had been delivered via Caesarean, and my second was a successful VBAC after several days of being induced in the hospital. I had a lot of difficulty finding an OB that would even consider a second VBAC even though I had already had one and recovered well. I knew that a doula would be key to helping make it possible. What I didn't realize is that it wasn't just a doula that I needed, but a doula that was not only skilled in working with patients and creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere, but also one blessed with the skill to heal with her hands. Rosa came to my house three times before my daughter was born. I had been having prelabor for weeks and it was starting to wear on me. I wasn't sleeping much, I was uncomfortable and I was concerned that my mood would affect my ability to labor effectively or even have a VBAC. Turns out my contractions weren't really benefiting me or dilating the cervix. After the first session, I was a bit sore, but I felt much better. I was able to relax and sleep for longer periods and wasn't so restless and irritable during the day.

My due date came and went. My prelabor continued and I became frustrated. Rosa came back for a short session. My daughter had shifted up again (little stinker!). A couple more days passed and the contractions seemed to be getting stronger, especially at night. So Rosa, bless her, came back a third time. This time I continued to have contractions throughout the session. We worked on repositioning the baby deeper into the pelvis. I got up after the session and had the first concrete signs that labor was beginning and here to stay. A few hours later my water broke and after a while laboring at home I headed to the hospital. Once at the hospital, labor continued to progress, Kim, one of my doulas, had to leave and Rosa came to help out and eventually take over for Kim. Things moved quickly and after only a few hours I was in active labor, almost in transition. Through it all, plus a few hiccups and a short nap, Rosa stayed with my husband and I. She was there when my daughter was born, all 9.5 pounds of her. Sylvia was by far my easiest baby to birth and my biggest. I think that Rosa was really the key to such a successful birth, and I hope that she'll be around to help me welcome baby #4."

Update: I had about 4 massages with Rosa in with Baby #4. He was born at 42 weeks. I was 6 cm dilated when I made it to the hospital and baby was born 1.5 hours later with 2 minutes of pushing. This time I did it wihout medication. (1/2014).

A. Damiani

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Rosa has the most amazing gift. Her body work is a necessity before, during and after labor & delivery. She progressed and helped position my daughter while I was in labor. She used a cupping procedure on my sacrum to relieve my back labor pain. Rosa was the one holding my hand during the birth of my second daughter. Complete natural birth. Nobody should give birth without her by your side

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