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Maura Jo Lynch Doula Profile

Empowering Expectant Families: ChildbirthCT.com

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Website: www.ChildbirthCT.com
Phone: (203) 639-8836
Type of Practice: Solo practice
Clients per Month: 0 to 1 births and 0 to 2 postpartum families
Birth and Postpartum Doula
Birth Doula Experience: 5 years and 13 births attended
Postpartum Doula Experience: 4 years and 3 families served
Area of practice: Meriden, CT
Travel range: 50 miles
Travel comments/restrictions: I prefer to attend births in the greater New Haven and Hartford Areas but will travel to most of CT.
Languages spoken: English, Very Broken espanol

Birth Doula Certifications

ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators)
ToLabor (Formerly ALACE)

Breastfeeding Certifications

Breastfeeding Peer Support Group Faciliatator

Childbirth Educator Certifications

CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association)
ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators)
Certified with both CAPPA and ALACE/International Birth and Wellness Project

Other Credentials

Neonatal Resuscitation Certified (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Perinatal (Pre/Postnatal) Fitness Instructor (AFAA), In Training with CAPPA for Pregnancy Fitness Educator, NRP Certified through NewbornBreath.com/AHA NRP, Red Cross CPR Certified

College Education

BA/BS
MA/MS
AA/AS

Specialized training or previous experience:

Teens
Over 40
Families conceiving with ART and IVF
Home Birth
Multiples
LGBTQ Families
Twins
Cesarean birth
Waterbirth
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Special services available:

Mother blessing celebrations
Birth Pool rental
Belly casting
Cloth diapering education
Parenting consulting
Elimination communication education
Babywearing education
Baby sign language education
Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)

Relevant volunteer or advocacy work: I have an active member of the Meriden Blueprint for Young Children's Prenatal Subcommittee, and the Meriden Children's Zone project. My Community Project with the Parents Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) got me involved in bringing my experience in the birth field to not only the city I live in, but also to the Family Wellness Center in Middletown (where I co-facilitate free Childbirth Basics programs), and to speak in classes and Women's Centers at universities and colleges. I have been active in United Families for Midwifery Care and Birth Network National for several years.

Postpartum limits/restrictions: At present, I only provide postpartum service to mothers who are breastfeeding. I am well versed with cloth diapers, but will work with disposables. No smokers, please.

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals
If you plan to birth in a hospital and are thinking of using a doula, I strongly suggest you so so. It is a great comfort to a birthing family to have the continuous support of a birth professional in a context where shift changes are likely to occur at least once during labor.
Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers
I have yet to attend a birth at the free standing birth center in Danbury, but would love to do so! I have had several clients who were planning birth center births who ended up deciding to have homebirths instead.
Attends home births? Some Home Births
I am a homebirth mom myself, and joyfully offer my support for families planning a midwife-attended homebirth! I am also happy to offer a significant discount on Childbirth Education Classes to my homebirth clients. I am happy to discuss the options around homebirth in Connecticut with any client who is undecided as well.

Birth doula fee: $600 to $1150
Postpartum doula hourly rate: $25 to $35
Fee details: Basic Package: free consultation, 2 Prenatal Visits, Monthly Phone Appointments, Continuous Support through Labor, Birth and Initiation of Breastfeeding (if bf'ing), 1 Postnatal Visit at the birthplace/within 3 days of birth, and 1 Postnatal Visit within 2 weeks of the birth. These Postpartum visits are follow-up visits (not postpartum doula work). Deluxe Package: free consultation, Monthly Prenatal Visits, Complete Childbirth Education Instruction, 4 Pre/Post Reiki sessions for Mom and Birth Partner (and baby if desired), Relaxation and Reiki for Birth Training for both Mom and Birth Partner(s), Three Prenatals, Three Postnatal Visits and Continuous Labor, Birth and Initiation of Breastfeeding Support (if bf'ing), and an overview of Signing with Infants and Infant Care. I offer several Packages between $600 and $1150. Custom Packages Available. I also do limited Postpartum work.

Client Testimonials for Maura Jo Lynch

Beth R

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Maura Jo at a friend's birth recently. I feel incredibly blessed to have met her and I can't imagine anyone else having been there to support my friend like she did. Maura Jo is one of the most wonderful, sweet, knowledgable and experienced doulas that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I initially wondered how the group dynamics would work with a laboring mother, her husband, a doula and myself at hospital birth, particularly because she and I were unable to meet before my friend went into labor. Within moments of meeting Maura Jo I knew I had absolutely no cause for concern. I found her to be incredibly compassionate and kind. Throughout the process she kept the lines of communication open with everyone and remained flexible, even when the unexpected happened. Her communication skills are truly exceptional and she has the enviable skill of advocating for her clients without alienating staff, which is an extremely valuable asset for a doula. It is obvious to those who watch her work that she keeps the comfort and best interests of her clients at the forefront of her mind. Her client's wishes remain her priority, even if those wishes change during the laboring process. I thought we complimented each other beautifully and I was thrilled to get to know her over those hours. She clearly has a deep passion for what she does and it shows with every single interaction she has with a laboring mother. I truly hope that I have the opportunity to work with Maura Jo again in the future!

Posted 2/2/2011

Melanie E. Dunn

Maura Jo was an essential part of our birthing team! She served as our childbirth educator and offered to be present at the birth as well. We had not intended on having a doula for the birth since we were having a homebirth with two midwives present. However, we are so very glad that we did decide to ask Maura Jo to come. My labor lasted three days and was very painful due to posterior positioning. Maura Jo's gentle and affirming words enabled me to continue with a very difficult labor even when my confidence was slipping, and allowed the midwives to focus on the birth. My husband also benefitted immensely from Maura Jo's presence and her behind-the-scenes coaching, when he needed someone to support him as he watched me labor. The right support makes all the difference in your birth experience. Highly recommended!

Posted 1/15/2011

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