Compare

Lorrie Leigh Doula Profile

Leigh Childbirth Services

Service Area Map

Website: www.leighchildbirthservices.webs.com
Phone: (301) 655-5853
Type of Practice: Partnership with 1 other doula
Clients per Month: 3 to 5
Birth Doula
Experience: 12 years and 250 births attended
Area of practice: Columbia, MD
Travel range: 70 miles
Travel comments/restrictions: I will travel just about anywhere in MD,DC,NVA area
Languages spoken: English

Specific certifications for the above: My many satisfied clients certify me and references and testimonials are available upon request.

Breastfeeding Certifications

Lactation Educator (CAPPA certification pending) and 12 years as a lay lactation counselor

Childbirth Educator Certifications

CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association)
Informed Beginnings(charter member), CAPPA (working on paperwork), 11 years previously teaching Bradley and Brio natural childbirth classes

Other Credentials

Neonatal Resuscitation Certified (American Academy of Pediatrics)
8 years experience as a birth assistant with home birth midwives.

College Education

BA/BS
MA/MS

Specialized training or previous experience:

Teens
Over 40
Families conceiving with ART and IVF
VBAC
Home Birth
Multiples
Clients on bed rest
LGBTQ Families
Adoption
Relinquishing mothers
Special needs babies
Prematurity
Twins
High risk
Expected stillbirth
Single parents
Waterbirth

Special services available:

Birth Pool rental
Babywearing education
Baby-led weaning
Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals
I have worked in a variety of hospitals. I can work with clients who want natural births and have a lot of flexibility in their birth plan as well as those who may be restricted to a bed due to medical reasons, pain medications and/or monitoring needs. My primary goal is to serve your goals for birth and to be a positive asset to you and your chosen birth team. I can labor with you at home in early labor or meet you at the hospital, as you desire. I have personally been a high risk mama, multiple birth mama (twins twice), preterm mama, NICU mama, induced mama and a natural homebirth mama. I have birthed with pain medications and naturally. The births of my six children helped me to understand that there is the birth we hope for and the birth we are presented with, and I seek to make ALL births a positive and comfortable experience.
Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers
I enjoy working in the out of hospital setting very much and have a high regard for the birth center midwives we have in the MD/DC/VA area. Birth centers are my first recommendation to any client seeking a great deal of choices in their birth plan. I provide labor support at home and at the birth center, traveling with you when you and your provider decide it is time to head to the birth center.
Attends home births? Any Home Birth
While most mothers will choose hospital or birth center birth, if you choose a home birth I would be happy to serve you. I have had two home births myself and worked for 8 years as a birth assistant to home birth midwives, training in the Amish community in PA and more recently as one of two assistants in a busy Maryland home birth practice.

Birth doula fee: Not specified
Fee details: My fees reflect the depth of experience and training that my 12 years in the birth world bring to your birth. Fees may be adjusted according to the need (extra prenatal visits or adding in private childbirth education or lactation education increase fees). I am open to payment plans and have bartered with clients in the past. I would encourage any client to discuss their situation with me personally at our initial interview.

Client Testimonials for Lorrie Leigh

Samantha Neier

Doula of my dreams! From start to finish, Lorrie was an absolute professional. She met and exceeded every expectation that my husband and I had of a doula. She was with us every step of the way during pregnancy, during labor and post partum. Lorrie partnered not only with me, but with my husband, and mid-wife group. Our rollicking labor adventure lasted 30+ hours, and Lorrie was there with us, every step of the way. Her unwavering support and reinforcement, helped both my husband and I, to stay focused and calm during some unexpected bumps in the road. We were thrilled to have Lorrie on our birth team, and feel blessed to have shared our birth experience with her. Thank you Lorrie. You are a doula rock star!

Posted 3/15/2012

Letisha

Lorrie Leigh helped deliver both my babies. She is without a doubt one of the best doulas out there. Not only is she a birthing instructor but a mother of 6 kids. She has experience in both home births and hospital births. I had both babies at home. The first was a 19 hour difficult birth that without her would have easily ended up in a c section. Lorrie had a bag a tools and techniques to help with each stage of labor that was not moving along smoothly until it did. In addition to having a ton of personal and professional experience, she is amazing at assessing what a couple wants and needs and supporting them in having that. In my case I wanted the experience to be intimate between my husband and I. This was a difficult task given our dynamics and it being a first time birth. Lorrie was able to coach us both along in achieving a birth where my husband was active in the process. Honestly, words don't give credit to her. In addition to her being an excellent birth instructor, doula, her postpartum care was stellar. Even now, 5 years later, she is still one of my primary resources. If you are lucky to be able to hire her, you could not be in better hands. It is truly the best gift you can give your family at this important time. My first impression of her was that she was very direct. What I learned about her is that she is absolutely warm and compassionate when it counts most and direct and upfront when it is needed. My family was very blessed to have found her and I am proudly of mom of two amazing home births. I had dream births thanks to Lorrie and my birthing team.

Posted 11/21/2011

momme A

Lorrie was fantastic when my seventh child was born. Let me start by saying Lorrie is a "Put-Your-Money-Where-Your Mouth-Is" type of women. Not only did Lorrie offer to provide all of her services and birthing tub free of charge, when my family needed it most, but she also put me in touch with a doctor and midwife who were both willing to allow me to VBAC. Lorrie was a Godsend, I had been searching for both a doctor and a midwife and this type of information was priceless to me and my family. I felt so relieved and glad that out of the kindness of her heart, Lorrie helped our family. Even after the baby Lorrie checked on me and offered wonderful clothes for our new baby but most of all Lorrie offered her friendship. Lorrie arrived quickly and was efficient and soothing, I hardly noticed Lorrie being there, but I absolutely noticed the comfort she provided. Lorrie is a knowledgeable, professional and warm Doula and I highly recommend her.

Posted 11/6/2011

Lisa Austin

I was very fortunate to have Lorrie as my doula for my second birth. My first son was born via c-section due to a failure to progress. I knew that I wanted to have a successful v-bac, but was having a lot of trouble finding someone in my area who would support me during my second birth. Since my first birth was a traumatic hospital experience I was terrified of having a similar experience the second time. Lorrie could not have been any more comforting and knowledgeable. She coached me through a long labor, got me to toughen up when I thought I was not strong enough, and is the biggest reason that I had a successful, beautiful natural delivery in 2009. I could not imagine how my delivery would have gone without her. She is everything you can ask for in a doula and more!

Posted 10/28/2011

deirdre elvis

Lorrie is a fountain of knowledge and wisdom on all things childbirth! We met Lorrie in 2005 when we were expecting our first child. She was our Bradley Birth Instructor and through her we learned so much about childbirth, labor and delivery and so much more. Through Lorrie and her Bradley Class we were able to have a wonderful 1st birth experience. Later in 2007 we returned to her for a "Bradley Refresher" and were able to consult with her via phone when we ended up in the hospital for a c-section. The third time we contacted Lorrie was to be our doula for our first home-birth in early 2010. Lorrie was a great source of support for our home birth. It was my/our best birth yet! Lorrie’s support meant the world to me. She and my midwife worked phenomenally together. Lorrie’s life experiences contribute to her expertise in childbirth, breastfeeding and labor and delivery. We trust her wholeheartedly and are very grateful that we found her.

Posted 10/27/2011

Elizabeth Moses

I first met Lorrie when I signed up for her Bradley classes. I was so sure of her skill, knowledge, and dedication that when I became somewhat higher risk at the end of my pregnancy I hired her as my doula. She was the first one at my birth, and she was with me every moment I needed her. She supported me, comforted me, and was the quiet source of authority I desperately needed. She also just happens to be THE single reason I was able to stay home and have my much desired homebirth. I WILL NOT give birth without her present! (I am also blessed to say she is a good friend of mine now).

Posted 10/27/2011

Carmen Calvo

I was very fortunate to have had Lorrie attend both of my births. She was a wonderful advocate and support system for my family and me before, during and after birth. Her experience and expertise are unmatched. Lorrie helped me focus during labor, kept me comfortable and provided excellent care. She was also a wonderful resource. I feel truly blessed that I had her by my side during such a special time.

Posted 10/26/2011

S. DeChant

Lorrie taught my birth preparation class and attended our home birth as an assistant to my midwife, but I did not have a doula and she definitely acted in that capacity when needed. She was very respectful of my wishes throughout labor and delivery and intuitive about my needs. Lorrie's strong and calming presence grounded me when I didn't think I could do it any more! She was also in touch with my husband's needs and made sure he was getting rest, etc. throughout the labor.

I was thrilled to have someone with her background at my birth because I felt she would be a wonderful resource if we need to transport to a hospital. She is very knowledgable about complications, interventinos, and NICU care, through her own birth experiences and also her experiences as a birth attendant.

In the end, I had a lovely, smooth water birth that I will always treasure. But I definitely felt more secure knowing someone of Lorrie's caliber was by my side, in addition to my fabulous midwife. I would definitely consider using her in the future as a doula and recommend her services to my friends and family.

Posted 10/26/2011

Doulas to Compare