Hello Mommas, My second book is a guide to birth for African American Mommas. I would very much like to include The Birth Stories of Mommas of Color – I’d like the stories to refelct the full spectrum of birth – so medicated, not medicated, C Section – Home Birth Hospital Birth – Birth Center Birth-
Miscarriage and stories of infant death are also respectfully requested.
Please share them with me to support and educate other mommas – please inbox me or email lsamsarahmorgan@gmail.com . I will gratefully give you a copy of the physical book as a gift as a thank you, and if you wish I would be honored to feature a picture of your child or you and your child along with your story! I look forward to hearing from you! Blessings, Samsarah Morgan, Doula, BirthWorker & Hypnotherapist in Oakland
Samsarah Morgan services info
What’s a Doula?
What’s a doula?
By L. Samsarah Morgan, DD CHT, LC
Do you love babies? I’m mean are you the kind of person who, no mater where you are you are moved and amazed by babies? Do you stop to ponder and wonder the amazing process of reproduction – the process of how we all got here to begin our work on planet earth? Would you be willing to elevate your love of babies into a passion for their well being and that of their mothers? Then perhaps being a doula is the right livelihood for you…
A doula is known by many names, birth attendant, companera, turtle woman, birth watcher. A doula has traditionally, been the woman in service to a birthing woman. Her domain is the educational, emotional, physical comfort and spiritual well-being of pregnant woman as well as mitigating the effect of technological birth processes on both mother and baby. Her work is a subset of the tremendous care provided by a midwife, who not only watches over the woman and her child in the ways stated above – but is responsible for the actual delivery of the infant.
A doula usually works with families to ensure that they are as prepared as one can be to begin their parenting journey. She provides information and referrals, she teaches childbirth and breast feeding classes. She may also have other healing skills such as massage, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy and other gifts she brings to assist a mother through her birth process.
The care provided by a doula is vitally needed in today’s technically over bearing medicalization of birth. She reminds and affirms for the woman that it is she – and not the doctor who will deliver her baby – it is she who has been given the power to birth her child and barring rare complications, she is capable of delivering her baby with grace and confidence. At present, the c-section rate in our country is 33%! Imagine that! One in three women who enter a hospital to give birth are going to have a c-section. The world health organization recommends a c-section rate of 10% or less. When you consider that true obstetrical emergencies occur in less than 1% of births you can see how our use of medical and technical means of delivery is out of balance – and not in the best interest of women and their children. The presence of a doula at birth reduces the prospect of a c-section by 50%. Her presence at the mother side and the information she has provided before labor has begun is responsible for the reduced use of pain medications and other interventions in the birth process. All medical interventions have risks to a birthing woman and her child – some of these risks extend beyond the child’s birth – but can affect the entire life of the baby –as well as the entire parenting career of the mother and her partner.
A doula assists the pregnant family in formulating a birth plan, this plan goes with them into the hospital and serves as a gentle reminder to the hospital staff of the unique personality of this family – their spirituality, their needs and desires for and vision for the birth of their child.
Sometimes, in spite of the best efforts of the well – informed family, interventions are medically necessary. Sometimes even c-sections are necessary to ensure the well being of a mother and her child. A doula is the one person at the birth with no vested interest in the outcome. She has already been paid – she receives no more money if the baby is sectioned or if the mother receives medication. Her purpose is to provide information and support the birth process as it unfolds. She is able, as a witness to the process, to provide a calm and compassionate review as to how things have been going and the path that the labor is now taking, and why. Doctors and nurses may be over worked and not as able to access the bed side manner needed to guide a frightened family through the fearsome thought of an operative delivery. They can sometimes be so focused of the need for the operation, or medication, that they can forget that these some times life saving interventions can be perceived as a failure by a family whose vision is being shattered by a change in plan. A few moments to think, feel and cry can often be all that a family might need to asses their circumstances and agree to necessary medical assistance.
Even families who for medical reasons, find themselves facing a planned c-section find a doula’s care invaluable! There are still choices to be made, so the doula will still work with you to prepare a birth plan. Also, few families know that after the c-section operation, the new born is sent to the nursery for observation and assessment. This is often done because the child born this way may need medical attention such as have breathing problems. This presents a problem, for the partner who is faced with a choice; he can leave his partner alone in the operating room as her surgery in being completed, to be with the baby or stay with the mom and have the baby go alone and with strangers to the nursery! If a doula is with the family she may be able to join the mom in the operating room to keep her company and provide support while the dad accompanies baby for the care he/she needs.
After the child’s birth, the doula stays connected with the family to provided the support they need as they transition from and expectant couple to a new family. She is a warehouse of hands-on,re as well as community information, from breastfeeding issues and concerns to immunizations, recommendations for places or worship as well as pediatricians. She can work at night to assist an exhausted family in getting some much needed sleep!
There is much more that I could write abut this wonderful and gratifying profession, which I have been blessed to call mine these 35 years, and more that I could share. However, in conclusion I will say that, in this world it is very hard to find work which is financially rewarding as well as emotionally and spiritually fulfilling, being a doula is once such occupation. This work opens you up to the true meaning of live and our purpose here on this earth. It grows your soul!
C2015 Samsarah Morgan
Bay Area Birth Keeper Doulas
Nia Healing Center For Birth and Family Life
niahealingcenter.org
The Perfect Gift – Postpartum Care!
$30.00 buys your loved ones a hour of postpartum care!
Talk to me about Gift Certificates for your friend with new babies!
Also makes the perfect shower gift – imagine if everyone Anthe office chipped in 30.00 towards help for the family rather than spending 2x as much for plastic items that do little to foster confidence of family bonding!
Call me!
They will be so grateful!
Doula Samsarah Morgan, Doula, BirthWorker & Hypnotherapist in Oakland
Sammsarah Morgan 510-827-9160 or 510-393-7380 lsamsarahmorgan@gmail.com
Doula Samsarah Morgan
I just love this new video!
What do you think!
What’s a doula?
What’s a doula?
By L. Samsarah Morgan, DD CHT, CLC
Do you love babies? I’m mean are you the kind of person who, no mater where you are you are moved and amazed by babies? Do you stop to ponder and wonder the amazing process of reproduction – the process of how we all got here to begin our work on planet earth? Would you be willing to elevate your love of babies into a passion for their well being and that of their mothers? Then perhaps being a doula is the right livelihood for you…
A doula is known by many names, birth attendant, companera, turtle woman, birth watcher. A doula has traditionally, been the woman in service to a birthing woman. Her domain is the educational, emotional, physical comfort and spiritual well-being of pregnant woman as well as mitigating the effect of technological birth processes on both mother and baby. Her work is a subset of the tremendous care provided by a midwife, who not only watches over the woman and her child in the ways stated above – but is responsible for the actual delivery of the infant.
A doula usually works with families to ensure that they are as prepared as one can be to begin their parenting journey. She provides information and referrals, she teaches childbirth and breast feeding classes. She may also have other healing skills such as massage, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy and other gifts she brings to assist a mother through her birth process.
The care provided by a doula is vitally needed in today’s technically over bearing medicalization of birth. She reminds and affirms for the woman that it is she – and not the doctor who will deliver her baby – it is she who has been given the power to birth her child and barring rare complications, she is capable of delivering her baby with grace and confidence. At present, the c-section rate in our country is 33%! Imagine that! One in three women who enter a hospital to give birth are going to have a c-section. The world health organization recommends a c-section rate of 10% or less. When you consider that true obstetrical emergencies occur in less than 1% of births you can see how our use of medical and technical means of delivery is out of balance – and not in the best interest of women and their children. The presence of a doula at birth reduces the prospect of a c-section by 50%. Her presence at the mother side and the information she has provided before labor has begun is responsible for the reduced use of pain medications and other interventions in the birth process. All medical interventions have risks to a birthing woman and her child – some of these risks extend beyond the child’s birth – but can affect the entire life of the baby –as well as the entire parenting career of the mother and her partner.
A doula assists the pregnant family in formulating a birth plan, this plan goes with them into the hospital and serves as a gentle reminder to the hospital staff of the unique personality of this family – their spirituality, their needs and desires for and vision for the birth of their child.
Sometimes, inspite of the best efforts of the well – informed family, interventions are medically necessary. Sometimes even c-sections are necessary to ensure the well being of a mother and her child. A doula is the one person at the birth with no vested interest in the outcome. She has already been paid – she receives no more money if the baby is sectioned or if the mother receives medication. Her purpose is to provide information and support the birth process as it unfolds. She is able, as a witness to the process, to provide a calm and compassionate review as to how things have been going and the path that the labor is now taking, and why. Doctors and nurses may be over worked and not as able to access the bed side manner needed to guide a frightened family through the fearsome thought of an operative delivery. They can sometimes be so focused of the need for the operation, or medication, that they can forget that these some times life saving interventions can be perceived as a failure by a family whose vision is being shattered by a change in plan. A few moments to think, feel and cry can often be all that a family might need to asses their circumstances and agree to necessary medical assistance.
Even families who for medical reasons, find themselves facing a planned c-section find a doula’s care invaluable! There are still choices to be made, so the doula will still work with you to prepare a birth plan. Also, few families know that after the c-section operation, the new born is sent to the nursery for observation and assessment. This is often done because the child born this way may need medical attention such as have breathing problems. This presents a problem, for the partner who is faced with a choice; he can leave his partner alone in the operating room as her surgery in being completed, to be with the baby or stay with the mom and have the baby go alone and with strangers to the nursery! If a doula is with the family she may be able to join the mom in the operating room to keep her company and provide support while the dad accompanies baby for the care he/she needs.
After the child’s birth, the doula stays connected with the family to provided the support they need as they transition from and expectant couple to a new family. She is a warehouse of hands-on,re as well as community information, from breastfeeding issues and concerns to immunizations, recommendations for places or worship as well as pediatricians. She can work at night to assist an exhausted family in getting some much needed sleep!
There is much more that I could write abut this wonderful and gratifying profession, which I have been blessed to call mine these 35 years, and more that I could share. However, in conclusion I will say that, in this world it is very hard to find work which is financially rewarding as well as emotionally and spiritually fulfilling, being a doula is once such occupation. This work opens you up to the true meaning of live and our purpose here on this earth. It grows your soul!
C2014 Samsarah Morgan
Bay Area Birth Keeper Doulas
Fearful of the birth process?
Are you an expectant momma?
Are your fearful of the birth process?
Hypnosis can help you release present day fear or past birth trauma, and allow you a joyous and free childbirth experience!
Lets discuss it! And please , give not one more second to fear…
Samsarah Morgan, hypnotherapist, doula, counselor
510-496-3491
Fees are always sliding scale. Sessions in person, via SKYPE of Facetime avaiable,and barter, work trade and scholoship is available for families who need it!
Release fear!
Resume, Rates and Services
L. Samsarah Morgan, DD, Cht, PD, CLC
510-393-7380- text/cell
- Pastoral Counselor
- Apprentice Midwife
- Birth and Postpartum Caregiver
- New Born Care Specialist
- Childbirth/Lactation Educator
- Certified Hypnotherapist
- Child Care Specialist
- Family Life Coach
- Pregnancy Nutrition Educator
A doula is one who provides information, emotional and physical support to a pregnant woman and her family. She provides pregnancy and childbirth information “Mother Wisdom”, and referrals. She has acquired skills which can assist the birth process and either eliminate or reduce the need for medical interventions.
After the baby’s birth, the postpartum period, a doula can assist the family in settling in and adjusting to their new lives together! She can be a life saver for the mother of multiples! A doula’s presence at night can assure restful nights sleep, so that the day can be greeted with a smile!
Samsarah Morgan has almost 20 years experience providing Birth and Postpartum doula services to Bay Area families, excellent references cheerfully provided! Please call for an interview or to receive a schedule of childbirth Prep. Classes!
Services:
- Dietary consultation and diet development.
- Support for successful breastfeeding
- Constant support during your labor and birth in home or hospital.
- Counseling to ease your transition into motherhood/family hood.
- Counseling which will support your family’s decision to work towards a more holistic birth experience.
References for Samsarah Morgan – Becknell
Postpartum care & Child Care
Fred & David Stoekel 1(646)644-5608 (TWIN CARE)
Aya De Leon 510-776-6835
Kimberly and David Cottom 510-325-0683
Steve and Karin Hermanos 415-332-1389
Karen Janike 925-299-1049
Nancy Bauman (twins) 925-837-0569
Beth Gould 415-641-7503
Linda and Ken Honer 650-949-8028 or 408-247-0993
Mari Dantzer (twins) 510-237-6398
Madelyn Weiss and Don Cornejo 510-527-6975
Birth doula care
Zoe Gladstone and Jesse 510-655-1326 (twins)
Shannon and John Ellis 510-684-8256
Jenna and Jackson Forder 510-909-8763
Kim and Dave Cotton 510-325-0683
Mara Benitez 510-532-2244
Gretchen Schuessler
And Rick Danielson 415-282-2606
Tony and Leah Plotkin 510-531-7986
Erin and John Johnson 510-684-4108
Jennifer and Jim Alexander 925-606-1715
Emily and Scott Akemon 510-434-9777
Katie Diamond 510-865-5580
Madelyn Weiss and Don Cornejo 510-527-6975
Kelli Yon and Jason Jagel 415-282-3218
Rates for services:
Child care 25.00/hpur
Birth Doula Care 900.00 – 2500.00 (see contract for details)
Lactation counseling 40.00 – 80.00/hour
Postpartum care for a singleton 30.00/hour
Postpartum care for multiples 35.00 /hour and up
Birth Hypnosis 90.00 – /session 1.5 hour session
Nutritional Evaluation 90.00 FOR FIRST SESSION, then50.00 session there after, plus the cost of supplements
Child Birth Preparation 8 week session 200.00
Childbirth Prep. With Hypnosis 10 week session 200.00
Individual Courses 2.5 hour sessions 90.00 each
20. per additional family member or fiend included in the session.
- Comfort Measures in labor
- Baby Care
- Breast feeding
- Birth Self Hypnosis
- Interventions in Labor ( Help or Hindrance)
- Nutrition in Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Fertility Awareness –Natural family planning
Please note: The child birth Preparation class as well as the child birth prep with hypnosis, covers all of the topics above and more!
Please note that most services are based upon a sliding scale. Rates are based upon the client family’s ability to pay. I do this so that the greatest number of families who wish to have doula care and/or other holistic childbirth services are able to do so without being hampered by their financial circumstances.
Please do not let the listed prices concern you. Should you need to ask for a lower fee – please do so.
I request that when deciding upon the rate for your family, please do so realistically, and understand that those who can pay the higher end of the sliding scale allow me to serve low-income and indigent mothers and families.
I thank you for your co-operation.
I look forward to sharing with you family – this most precious time, the birth of your baby.
With sincerity and gratitude,
Samsarah Morgan
________________________________________________________________________
Samsarah Morgan , Birth Worker 