Services * Mikaela Lynn - Perinatal Care Specialist

Services

In an initial consultation, in consideration of your needs and budget, we will create a bespoke care package for your perinatal journey. As there is no universal pregnancy, labor, nor postpartum period I do not offer standardized packages -- what each person needs to feel prepared, cared for, and supported will differ.

Below you'll find a few of my primary offerings described, but please know the full range of my skills and tools cannot be contained by this little website (try as I might). Depending on your needs we will create a comprehensive package of support that aligns with your budget and desired level of support and coaching. Use the link below to schedule your preliminary consultation to see if we align! I'm so excited to hear all about your journey to get here and accompany you moving forward.

Prenatal Support

If you fail to plan you plan to fail.

Are you pregnant‽
Have you heard folks asking what your birth plan is...and have no clue‽
Are you overwhelmed with all the options and choices available for birth and parenting?

Working together we can prepare you with the information and resources you need to put together your birth preferences and/or a postpartum plan.

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Discussion topics may include
- Building your ideal support team
- Choosing a provider
- Choosing where you'll labor and birth
- Labor preferences
- Birth preferences
- Postpartum needs and resources
- Healing and parenting
- Partner support
- Creating a postpartum support system

I use a trauma-informed collaborative style to help you recognize and embrace the knowledge and skills you already possess, gain confidence in where to find the support and resources you need, and build resilience as you move into your parenting journey.

Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation now to find out more!

Labor & Birth Support

I'm pregnant! Now what‽

Do you feel overwhelmed, lost, or nervous about giving birth?
Do you want an extra support system in place for your partner?
Do you have more questions than your provider has time to answer?
Do you not have any questions and feel like you should?

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Together we will explore all of your desires for your birth, and craft a list of birth preferences that you can give to your provider. Along the way, we will get a chance to really get to know each other, what birth may look and feel like, and how you can prepare. Having another person present at your birth can be an intimate experience, so the time we spend together is an opportunity for us to connect and really talk about what's important to you in this experience. When you invite me to join you during labor I will be with you until you greet your little one and settle into postpartum, available for any physical, emotional, and educational support you may need. Working with a birth doula means having an experienced professional with you through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period - available to offer comfort, cheer you on and remind you to open your eyes and greet your baby.

"What exactly will you do?"

I provide physical comfort and emotional support, as well as information and resources throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and immediate postpartum. I use trauma-informed care principles to facilitate your learning to reduce stress around pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and build resilience as you move through this transition into this next phase of life.

I will meet with you prenatally to develop a relationship with you and your support system (whoever will be at the birth), understand how you envision your birth, and help you plan for your postpartum period.
I am available to you via text for questions and resources from the time of contract. (I am most responsive via text but phone, email, and zoom also available!) I keep business hours for non-emergent communication.
I will be on call for you when you reach the end of your pregnancy. While I am available from the time we sign a contract until the completion of the contract for questions and support, this period means I have my phone on and with me at all times and I am prepared to join you at any time.
I will be with you during your birth from the time you invite me to join you during active labor until baby is born.
I will stay with you after baby is born until you have had time to settle in and are comfortable with initial breastfeeding and postpartum care plans.
I will visit you 36 hours after your birth to check on your feeding and lactation goals.
I will visit you within the first two weeks of your birth to see how you are adjusting, offer lactation support, and help you to continue planning for the rest of your postpartum journey.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to find out more!

Postpartum Support

Labor and birth can be magical experiences and are often overwhelming and exhausting. After you welcome your baby, they will send you home with it whether you are ready or not. So why not plan to have additional support waiting for you at home while you recover and REST. I offer overnight support through the first twelve weeks after baby arrives, giving you a chance to catch up on much-needed sleep knowing that someone else has an eye and ear on your newest treasure. Sleep better-knowing help is on hand.

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"What exactly will you do?"

I provide support as you recover from birth through the fourth trimester.

During our prenatal visit, we will plan for your postpartum journey and recovery
I am available to consult on registry lists and nursery set-up
I will be on call for you starting at 38 wks
I will join you at home within a few days of birth (or whenever you choose) to begin our contract
I will be with you as you recover and learn to care for baby including but not limited to assistance with: feeding (nursing or bottle); sleep routine; diapering; bathing; teaching newborn care; care of colicky baby; babywearing; restocking nursery items; other tasks as time allows (laundering and putting away infant clothing and linens, washing and sterilizing bottle and pump parts, emptying diaper containers, etc).

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with me to find out more!

Lactation Support

Human body feeding is biologically designed to be challenging, and as social creatures, we are meant to learn from others. The challenge is that we no longer live in a community-focused way that supports this need, so we must seek it on our own. Starting during pregnancy it’s important to learn what it takes to build a good body-feeding relationship with your little one. Together we will explore what information and support you need to be successful with your lactation goals. You will learn the physiological process of lactation, how to hand express, common hurdles and how to work through them.

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Are you planning to bodyfeed your baby?

Feeding your baby from your body looks easy and carefree on social media, so why is it so hard‽
Are you worried you won’t be able to supply enough milk for your baby?
Did you struggle with bodyfeeding previously, or are you struggling now?
Are you looking for education, guidance, and support on your bodyfeeding journey?

Questions? You can contact me here to find out more...

Sleep Coaching

Do these sound familiar?

How do I know if it's okay to let my baby cry-it-out?
Will you make me give up my family bed?
Do I have to stop breastfeeding to sleep coach my child?

There's no shortage of information available on infant sleep, so how do you know where to turn? Working with me, you don't have to choose sides. You do not have to pick a camp; this isn’t about right or wrong, and sleep is morally neutral. It’s about what is working for you and your family, so you get to choose what works best for your family and your sleep goals.

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I need to improve my family's sleep and need help!

Together we will create a bespoke, step-by-step sleep plan that will factor in your parenting philosophy, your child’s age, health and temperament, the well-being of the birthing and/or primary parent and the related family dynamics. And most importantly I will support and coach you through the process from beginning to end--for night sleep and naps!

I work with parents of children ages 6 months to 6 years old. For babies under 6 months I will consult with parents on how to set up healthy sleep habits from the start and if appropriate how to gently shape their sleep.

The art of putting yourself to sleep is a priceless gift you can give your child and your entire family.

I bring all my knowledge and training to this work including:

Basic counseling and child development

Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children aged 0 to 6 years old

Secure attachment theory

Support for the bodyfeeding parent
In-depth knowledge of the importance of attachment and infant mental health.

The sleep science behind the first six months of life.

What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.

Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months.

Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies.

Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns.

Schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation now to find out more!