In-Person
Birth & Postpartum Doula Care
Full-service care including birth planning, in-person labor support, Ayurvedic meals, Abhyanga and Womb massage, movement for birth and recovery, herbal baths, and restorative home support.
ABOUT
I’m Lauren Shields - a yogic and Ayurvedic full spectrum doula and mother of three.
I created Intentionally Embodied Birth because I’ve lived the experience of feeling disconnected to my body and my knowing during the pregnancy and postpartum transition. I’ve also learned how different it can feel when you’re grounded, supported, and present with yourself on your journey.
My care is based in yoga and Ayurvedic traditions and infused with my own personal touch. Your care is intentional, personalized, and designed to support you and your growing family every step of the way.
Birth Doula Care
I approach birth from the belief that YOU are the expert, and I am the facilitator. There is no right way to birth, only opportunity for every mother/parent to find her voice and use it. You care is specialized to your needs wherever you choose to birth, however you choose to birth. My practice is meditative, and I invite you in to be present on this journey, whether that be with you joy or discomfort.
*Unlimited text and phone support in included throughout care.
Labor Support
At 38 weeks, I will go on call for your birth. If you happen to go into labor early, I will attend your birth just the same.
I provided text and phone support until you get to your birth location, or you are in active labor.
Once in-person, I assist with creating a safe, peaceful environment with lighting, music, and aromatherapy.
I offer assistance with pacing the birth, changing positions, making decisions, and support your partner to support you.
I offer comfort measures including, but not limited to nurturing touch, hands on maneuvers, rebozo work, aromatherapy, guided meditation and breath work, heat and cold packs, encouragement.
My job is to help you to feel protected, heard, supported, grounded, and confident so you can bring your sweet baby home.
Prenatal Visits
Birth Planning: In this session, I will meet with you and your partner in your home to get to know you, learn your preferences, role play navigating challenges, address your specific fears and concerns, and develop your birth plan. We’ll briefly talk through postpartum planning as well, including older siblings and pet care.
Couples Energy Session: This session is a moment to reconnect emotionally and energetically as a couple before moving into the birth portal. We’ll practice meditative relaxation techniques for birth and postpartum, hip squeezes, sacral pressure, labor positions, and move through any stagnant energy to get you feeling excited and confident for your birth. This session ends with tantra yoga practice of building oxytocin and flowing through your energy as a couple.
Postpartum Visit
After birth, I will stay with you up to two hours to reorganize your birth space, ensure you are fed, and assist with baby’s first latch.
Once you are home, I will text/call you to set up a time during the first week after your birth.
This visit is personalized and guided by your specific needs which may include breastfeeding support, organization, birth story listening/processing, preparing herbal sitz bath, supporting baby’s first bath, and more.
This visit lasts 60-90 minutes. If you would like more postpartum support, I encourage you to explore my postpartum doula care options below.
Postpartum Doula Care
Postpartum is a sacred time of recovery and replenishing the body. Many Eastern traditions believe that a women’s life can be extended and enhanced with propre care during the postpartum period. My postpartum doula services are rooted in yogic and Ayurvedic practices including diet, herbal support, and grounding into the body.
I cook nourishing meals and guide you through body care rituals. I show up with tools and practices that center you, not only as a new mother, but as a whole person moving through the sacred transition and transformation that is postpartum.
If you’re preparing for postpartum and want care that is intentional, not rush, calm, and rooted in tradition, I’d be honored to support you.
Diet and Nourishment
Meals, snacks, and beverages that support lactation and rebuilding your body. All nourishment is informed and rooted in Ayurvedic guidance.
Postnatal Herbs
Excessive Vata energy is common in the postpartum period, and I use specific herbal blends to assist in balancing and grounding your energy.
Womb Massage/Abhyanga Massage
Applying oil to the body, especially through these ancient practices, brings connection and healing to the body, as well as creating a beautiful experience for the mother.
Movement for Recovery
You don’t have to wait six weeks to bring movement back into your body. My post birth movement progression is rooted in Pilates fundamentals, yoga asana, breath work, and informed by physical therapy exercises for pelvic floor recovery.
What’s included
3-5 days/week of care that includes:
2-3 daily Ayurvedic meals, including snacks and herbal teas
womb massage and warm oil application
grocery shopping for all pantry and perishable items (client pays for groceries)
postnatal bath blends and herbal sitz bath set up
gentle movement and breath work
unlimited text message support