birth doula
gracie cooney
hello!
My name is Gracie Cooney
I have been attending births in homes, the birth center, and at hospitals as a doula since 2017. I am the mother of two and the wife of one. I truly believe in seeing women supported and empowered to have a beautiful physiological birth however and wherever is best for them. I offer myself to support you in the wild flow that is the birthing process.
offerings
If you think you would like to work with me, the first step is to set up an interview to be sure I am the best doula for you and your particular birth. You can ask me questions about my experience, philosophy, and we can get into my services in more detail. This meeting is of course at no charge to you. I have provided a basic summary of the care you can expect from me below.
Prenatal meeting
I offer one in person prenatal meeting. At this meeting I want to get to know you and your partner and hear the stories and perceptions you have surrounding birth. I want to hear your wishes and hopes for your birth as well as any concerns you are facing. We will walk though any questions you have about the birthing process and go over plans to prepare for coping with the beautiful and free flowing intensity that is labor. We will talk through what to expect from your birth team whether at home, a birth center, or a hospital and make sure you feel able to maintain full autonomy during your birthing time.
Birthing time
I am available via text or phone call from the moment your hire me, but from 38w-42w I consider myself on call for you. When the time comes for your babe to be born I will be there starting whenever you feel like you need my support! I'll be there to help you navigate the hospital if that's where you are choosing to give birth, or tidy up your home if that is where you are choosing to give birth. I will provide suggestions for positions to help baby engage or shift. I offer counter pressure and other natural pain management techniques. I am also there to encourage and remind you of things you already know but may have a hard time calling to mind during the process. If you have a partner I want to help them feel empowered to know how to love you well during your labor and help them feel connected with you.
Postpartum
After your birth I will stay in touch and plan one in person meeting at your house to talk/process though about the birth experience with you. I want to celebrate the joy of your new little one with you, and if any challenges are coming up I can point you to tinctures, books or podcasts, and people that can help you with whatever you may be experiencing postpartum.
kind words
I cannot imagine what my labor experience would have been without Gracie! I enlisted her late in my pregnancy after my husband and I finally decided we really would need help, especially for this first pregnancy. I had a lot of fears, but I also knew I wanted to have a natural childbirth experience if I could. Even though Gracie joined our team so close to the delivery, she still made sure she got to know me in this pregnancy—my hopes for delivery, my fears, what my husband would need, etc. She also shared some really helpful resources to prepare me for the day.
When Gracie arrived when I was in labor she immediately brought a strong and calming assurance into the delivery room. She got right down to business helping me manage pain through a variety of techniques. I distinctly remember my husband thanking her profusely at one point as he realized how lost he would have been in helping me without her! As the labor progressed and became harder, she somehow knew EXACTLY what I needed to hear and exactly what to do to help with pain—even and especially when I couldn't ask anymore. Her instincts are incredible, her knowledge is sure, and her heart is full of true care. Whether or not you plan on a natural childbirth, I recommend Gracie wholeheartedly!
-Vannesa
