• What exactly is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is kind of like the warm hug you didn't even know you needed. She is someone who meets you in the raw, vulnerable moments after your baby arrives, offering judgement-free support. With her gentle presence and wealth of knowledge, she becomes a pillar of strength during this delicate transition period. Whether it's providing hands-on infant care, offering invaluable breastfeeding support, or assisting with household tasks and meal prep, the postpartum doula is there to lend a helping hand. Beyond practical assistance, she also brings emotional support, compassion, and understanding as she guides you through the ups and downs of postpartum recovery. She is a source of comfort, reassurance, and a wealth of education and resources. Every family is unique, and a postpartum doula intuitively understands this, tailoring her support to suit your specific needs and preferences. With her unwavering love and nurturing spirit, the postpartum doula is an essential presence during this transformative time in your life.

• what forms of payment do you accept?

Payments can be made via cash, check, Venmo or Paypal. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can also be used for payment of services. Depending on your individual plan, you may be able to eligible for insurance reimbursement. Please reach out to your insurance provider to determine eligibility and any specific documentation you may need from Ivory Circle Wellness. Some employers also provide coverage through employee benefits. Reach out to your HR department to discover any benefits you may have!

• Why bone broth?

Bone broth is truly a POWERHOUSE when it comes to healing and repairing your body. Packed with an array of essential nutrients like healthy fats, amino acids, collagen, minerals, and more, it provides the building blocks necessary for optimal wound healing and tissue repair. This is especially important, given that pregnancy alone can deplete the body's nutritional reserves, but then you add on the additional strain from perineal tearing or a cesarian section…YIKES! Our bodies deserve a little help after all they’ve been through!
Another standout benefit of bone broth is its ability to assist with the often dreaded issue of that first postpartum poo! Let's be honest, this can be a source of real anxiety for many new moms. However, the gelatin found in bone broth can actually line the digestive tract, acting as a lubricant and easing the passage of stool. This can provide much-needed relief during a time when your body is already going through such significant adjustments. Lastly, let’s not overlook the hydration we gain from the broth! Hydration is so important for healing, but also for getting breastfeeding started off on the right foot (…or should I say boob)!

• Why the emphasis on warm foods?

You’ll see this emphasis across many different cultures, and for great reason! For proper digestion, food needs to be at or slightly above body temperature. When we eat cold foods, our bodies have to work to warm the food in the stomach before it can be digested. This just adds to the load of work your body is already undergoing. If we choose to eat (mostly) warm foods for at least the first few weeks postpartum, we are giving our stressed bodies a little bit of a break as they are busy with healing. Warmth is grounding, nurturing, and soothing to the nervous system as well. Ultimately, warm foods will help with nutrient absorption, as well as physical AND mental healing.

• How do family meals work?

Great question! Typically, we will work together to come up with recipes you and your family like. With those recipes, I will put together a shopping list for you to purchase and have in your home. During each shift, I will prepare the meals using the ingredients you purchased. Simple as that! All you do is tell me what sounds good and make sure we have the ingredients needed…I’ll take care of the rest!

• Do you support formula feeding?

OF COURSE! I support a fed, happy baby- whatever that looks like! Should you want to breastfeed, I will fully support you and guide you through that journey. However, breastfeeding is not always ideal or possible for every family and that is absolutely okay! While there are incredible benefits to breastfeeding, your mental health and preferences are my top priority. We can fully discuss all the options and figure out what will be best for your family.

• Are there any reasons you wouldn’t work with a family?

While I want to help as many families as possible, there may be situations where one or both parties may not feel we are the best match, and that’s ok! This is why we have the initial meeting. Having a doula come into your home during this time is a sacred honor. Both the family and the doula should feel the match is well suited. In the event that it is not, I know other amazing doulas who I can refer you to!

• DO you have experience with cloth diapers?

Yes! I have cloth diapered both of my kiddos, as well as worked with other families who cloth diaper. I would love to be a resource for washing, stripping, and any other cloth diaper needs you may have! I also have experience with EC (Elimination Communication).

• What areas do you serve?

I work with families who are within a 45 minute driving radius of Harrison City, PA. While we can discuss specific addresses, I generally serve the following areas:

• Greensburg, PA

• Jeannette, PA

• Trafford, PA

• Murrysville, PA

• Irwin, PA

• North Huntingdon, PA

• Plum, PA

• Penn Hills, PA

• Pittsburgh, PA

• Homestead, PA

• Monroeville, PA

• Jefferson Hills, PA

• Upper St. Clair, PA

• Elizabeth, PA

• Perryopolis, PA

• North Versailles, PA

• Mount Pleasant, PA

• Donegal, PA

• Stahlstown, PA

• Ligonier, PA

• Youngstown, PA

• Crabtree, PA

• New Alexandria, PA

• Latrobe, PA

• Blairsville, PA

• Vandergrift, PA

• Leechburg, PA

• New Kensington, PA

• Natrona Heights, PA

• Oakmont, PA

• Fox Chapel, PA

• AND MANY MORE!

• Do you offer refunds?

No, we do not offer refunds. Upon signing the contract, a non-refundable retainer is paid. This non-refundable retainer secures my availability for you as dates are first come first served. Should you pay the non-refundable retainer and then decide to cancel services, the retainer WILL NOT be refunded as the time frame agreed upon in the contract is reserved for your family and prevents Ivory Circle Wellness from working with other families during that time. The non-refundable retainer is applied to the remaining balance of your contract. For postpartum clients, the remaining balance is then divided into weekly payments. Weekly invoices are issued per your contract. Should you pay your weekly invoice, but not need all the shifts for that week, we can arrange for two different options:

1. You may transfer the visits you have paid for with that weekly invoice to another time that works better for your family.

2. You may “gift” the paid hours to someone who may need postpartum doula support. A new contract would still need to be signed with the new family, but the hours transferred would be at no cost to them.