Rachael Ard Photo

Rachael Ard

Philadelphia, PA Service range 50 miles N/A

https://thebabydoulas.com/

Birth Fee

$800 to $1300

Postpartum Rate

$30 to $45

Availability Remarks: Birth any time Postpartum, evenings and weekends.

Birth Fee

$800 to $1300

Postpartum Rate

$30 to $45


Birth Doula Experience

6 years and 10 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

5 years and 20 families served


Birth Doula Certifications

  • DONA International - Certified Birth Doula

Postpartum Doula Certifications

  • Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) - Certified Postpartum Doula

Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, April 2018
  • CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, June 2019

Type of practice: Independent contractor with a doula agency

Clients per month: 1 births and 1 to 2 postpartum families

Postpartum limits/restrictions: None. Evening and weekend work availability.

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Some Home Births
Certified Nurse Midwife/ Certified Midwife in attendace.


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • Abortion support
  • Babywearing education
  • Bereavement doula (pregnancy & infant loss)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
  • Military families support
  • Miscarriage support
  • Parenting consulting
  • Prenatal & postpartum fitness services
  • Prenatal Yoga
  • Reduced rates for women considering adoption
  • Satellite doula (for remote and rural clients)
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Stillbirth and infant loss support
  • Surrogates and intended parents
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Operation Doula Volunteer at Balboa Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA PALS Doula Volunteer, Philadelphia, PA The Cherry Hill Women’s Center Pro-Choice Clinic Escort

Fee Details

Birth Doula Services: 2- Prenatal Visits Labor & Delivery 2-Postpartum Visits Non-refundable retainer fee due when you choose me as your doula. Second half of fee due at 36 wks. I am also a certified Yoga Teacher and Prenatal Yoga Teacher. I provide Private Prenatal Yoga Classes at a discounted rate for Doula clients of $ 35/ hr. Regular rate for Private Prenatal Yoga is $65/ hr. Postpartum Doula Services: $30-45/hr. with a minimum contract requirement of 80 hrs. Payment due before the first shift of each week. New Parent Educator Classes: 2 hours a week for 6 weeks before or after birth. If there are two partners, both must attend. $350 for series. Same price if single or partners. Paid up front. No refunds. American Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid, CPR, & AED Class: 4 hrs. $70 pp Up to date on all vaccines including bivalent Covid booster and still masking in public places.

Service Area

Philadelphia, PA Service range 50 miles N/A

Certifications for Rachael Ard

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Certification

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Client Testimonials for Rachael Ard

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Kelsey R

9/26/2024

We loved having Rachael as our overnight doula. She is extremely patient and gentle while focusing on the specific needs and preferences of our baby/family. She has a very comforting presence, is a great listener, and understands requests with little instruction. She is truly a gem!

Kate

5/16/2024

Third baby and we finally got the postpartum experience right... we worked with Racheal and another doula as a team and they were the dream team. I’m incredibly grateful to have connected and worked with Racheal. She is a wealth of baby and postpartum knowledge. She put me at ease and I could not have asked for better care for our son while I got some much needed rest. Thank you so much! Incredible experience. 

Lindsay Gallagher

1/1/2024

Rachael was so wonderful with our baby girl as well as extremely knowledgeable and taught my husband and I a great deal. This was our first born so understandably we had no clue what we were doing as well as just needed some additional postpartum support. We couldn't have been happier with the support we received as well as the nighttime care that was provided to our daughter. I highly recommend Rachael as she is knowledgeable, attentive, and truly cares about what she is doing!

Lea Stokes

11/3/2023

Rachael is an incredible doula. We just had our first baby in July, and Rachael was there every step of the way. My husband and I are very grateful for Rachael's guidance and expertise. As first time parents, we wanted additional support and Rachael was able to provided us with a lot of love and tenderness. As a social work professional, I really appreciated Rachael's approach of client-centered practice. She was extremely thorough and informative, which empowered us to make decisions that were best for us. I will never forget how Rachael took care of me, my husband and our baby girl. Thank you Rachael for your love, advocacy, and guidance. 

Christina

8/9/2023

Rachael was wonderful and kind. We were extremely nervous having someone look after our first little, however Rachael made us feel extremely comfortable. She was sure to follow all our cues with our little too. It was comforting that she enjoyed being with our little and we knew they were getting all the cuddles at night too. I would highly recommend her to anyone and in fact I have. Thank you Rachael! 

Emily

3/16/2023

Rachel was an amazing doula and was great with our very fussy twins - highly recommend. 

Christa Bogan-Forman

2/21/2021

I have known Rachael for a very long time and not only is she an amazing person, she proved that she's an amazing doula as well. I was induced at 33 weeks 6 days due to preeclampsia and it was a very scary time for my husband and I. We had established that Rach would be our doula, and I was so relieved since COVID restrictions had been a lot more lenient at our hospital. When Rach arrived she made sure I was comfortable despite being on magnesium, pitocin, and having a foley in. I decided to have a natural birth (albeit at the last minute) and she ensured I was breathing and controlling each contraction with my breath. When it came time to break my water, I was nervous and unsure but Rach helped my husband and I come to an autonomous decision and helped me through the hardest part of my labor. 30 minutes after my water broke and two pushes later our son was born. My entire labor was around 5 and 1/2 hours and Rach was there for all of it (she even got pictures of the baby being born since he was quickly whisked away to the NICU after birth).She ensured I was settled and stable after leaving that night. In the weeks following his birth, she stayed in constant contact with me and remained a support throughout the newborn period. I would definitely recommend Rach to anyone looking for a doula! Unfortunately my husband and I aren't having any more children, but if we were, I would utilize Rachael again without a second thought. 

Shiquita Jenkins

8/18/2019

This was my first baby and Rachael totally made the experience for me and my husband a lot better. She helped us stay calm and reminded us of our opinions when it came to our baby.When you’re in the moment and overwhelmed by everything that is going on it is easy to forget about what you want and the plan you and your husband had laid out, that’s why I’m so grateful she was there to help remind us of everything that is available to us. Would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a doula. 

Tiffany Rodriguez

8/3/2019

Rachael was an amazing doula for me. She was patient and caring. I pushed for 4 hours and she’s was by my side the whole time  rooting for me . She had everything I needed and more. She arrived at the hospital with a quick text from me. She also visited us after the baby was born to check on me and baby.Please choose Rachael you will not be disappointed.

Lydia Santacruz

7/31/2019

Rachael was amazing to say the least. She was there for my every need. She even anticipated my needs and wants. She gave my family the break they very much needed from the long day they had. She was very informative on everything from labor and delivery to breastfeeding and everything postpartum. She did not leave until they transferred me to the recovery room and knew I would be fine. she Stayed in touch with me afterwards and checks up to make sure I am doing well. She was truly an angel. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. 

 

Birth Availability for Rachael Ard

= Available. Calendar last updated: 07-24-2024

Postpartum Availability for Rachael Ard

= Available. Calendar last updated: 07-24-2024