Tourmaline Doula Services

10/05/2026

The journey to, of and through motherhood is all about growth 🌱

It’s not easy, but it’s important. And most of the work happens underneath the surface.

Taking time to celebrate - finding joy and sweetness in the effort - is an important part of the process 🫶

02/01/2026

Empowered birth isn’t about controlling outcomes or “pushing back.”

It’s about preparation, autonomy, and trust — and those things work with care, not against it.

✨ Preparation
Understanding the physiology of birth — what’s happening in your body, what’s normal, and what variations can look like — provides context when things feel intense or unexpected. Knowledge doesn’t eliminate challenges, but it can reduce fear and help people stay grounded.

✨ Informed consent
Being informed and included in decisions builds confidence and trust. Many traumatic birth experiences stem from feeling powerless, unheard, or excluded — not from the decisions themselves.

✨ A trusted birth team
Who you surround yourself with matters. Feeling emotionally safe, respected, and supported by your care providers can be just as impactful as the care you receive.

This isn’t about a perfect birth or doing it the “right” way.

It’s about support that feels collaborative, informed, and respectful — whatever the birth experience looks like.

Empowerment isn’t a power struggle. It’s shared understanding that gives you agency, and support.

31/12/2025

To quote my awesome bro in law (2x dad): preparedness is the antidote to chaos.

Giving birth in 2026? Let’s prep! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

As a certified birth doula, I offer non-medical support before, during, and after birth—focused on helping you feel informed, supported, and in charge.

Here’s what it looks like to work with me:

🤍 Before labor
We’ll meet 2–3 times to get to know each other, talk through your priorities, fears, and questions, and review evidence-based info. We’ll practice comfort techniques, create a birth letter, and plan for postpartum. I’m available for questions along the way and provide custom support based on your pregnancy and individual needs.

🤍 During labor
I’m on call 24/7. I support you through early labor and join in person when you’re ready. I offer hands-on comfort, emotional support, and help you navigate decisions as things unfold. I support all birth choices and adapt with you if plans change.

🤍 After birth
I stay with you for the first couple hours after birth, help with initial feeding, and check in within 24 hours. We’ll meet again within a week or so to talk through your birth and support your transition into postpartum life. I’m always available for follow-up questions and referrals as needed.

When you’re prepared, the unknown feels a lot less overwhelming. 🤍

To get started, book a meet & greet session at tourmalinedoula.com

08/08/2025

11/07/2025

Friendly reminder☝️

11/07/2025

Cervical exams can provide a snapshot of what’s happening with the cervix in late pregnancy or labor.

They’re ✨optional✨and not always necessary—but if you do have one, get all the info:

➡️ Dilation – How open the cervix is, measured in centimeters (0–10 cm).
➡️ Effacement – How thin or stretchy the cervix has become, described as a percentage (0–100%).
➡️ Station – Where the baby’s head is in relation to the ischial spines in the pelvis.
➡️ Consistency – How soft or firm the cervix feels (softening may indicate progress).
➡️ Position – The location/direction of the cervix in the vaginal canal (posterior, mid, anterior)

And… about Fetal Position —-> it doesnt factor into your Bishop’s Score BUT… it’s important info!!! To find the position of your baby, you can use belly mapping techniques(see ) + your care team can help assess visually and with some light palpitations + if you are getting a cervical check, your provider can tell based on feeling the baby’s head

Cervical checks don’t predict exactly when labor will start or how it will unfold—but some find the info helpful when making informed decisions throughout care.

Is this information helpful? Comment below!

08/05/2025

Planning to go unmedicated? Want an epidural? Scheduling a c-section? Still figuring it out?

Whatever your path, it truly helps to talk about it ahead of time and share what’s important to you. Because…. If it’s important to you, IT’S IMPORTANT!

Sometimes even in the most supportive environments, birth can be met with doubt or unnecessary pressure, often from those who are well intended and trying to “help”.

Pain management is one of the most personal parts of labor—and your birth team can support you better when they understand your preferences (or the questions you’re still sitting with).

You don’t need to have it all figured out, but do share your personal priorities, needs and preferences, and give yourself space to adjust if needed or desired.

Talk about it with your partner or support person(s) so they can advocate with you when it counts.

And since it’s statistically unlikely for the OB or midwife you’ve been seeing during prenatal care to be the one on call when you go into labor ➡️ having a doula as a part of your care team means having someone who knows your preferences prior to labor and can support you throughout, no matter who’s on call when your baby is born.

This helps.

Reminder - if it’s important to you, it’s important.

03/05/2025

Doulas help improve birth outcomes. Here’s what it’s like to work with me 👇👇👇

We’ll meet a few times before birth (usually three) to prepare in a way that feels right for you. We’ll talk through your preferences, practice labor positions, and make space for questions and planning.

As your estimated due date approaches, I’ll be on-call and ready to support you through labor and birth—working alongside your care team to make sure you feel heard and supported throughout.

After baby arrives, I’m still here. We’ll connect for a postpartum visit, and I’ll continue to be a resource as you adjust to your new normal—offering support, referrals, and connection when you need it.

Serving families in the Twin Cities, North Metro, Princeton, Cambridge, and surrounding areas.

👉 Curious about what this kind of support could look like for you? Book a free info session at tourmalinedoula.com.

Tourmaline Doula 🌊 Ride the wave

03/05/2025

Doulas help improve birth outcomes. Here’s what it’s like to work with me:

We’ll meet a few times before birth (usually three) to prepare in a way that feels right for you. We’ll talk through your preferences, practice labor positions, and make space for questions and planning.

As your estimated due date approaches, I’ll be on-call and ready to support you through labor and birth—working alongside your care team to make sure you feel heard and supported throughout.

After baby arrives, I’m still here. We’ll connect for a postpartum visit, and I’ll continue to be a resource as you adjust to your new normal—offering support, referrals, and connection when you need it.

Serving families in the Twin Cities, North Metro, Princeton, Cambridge, and surrounding areas.

👉 Curious about what this kind of support could look like for you? Book a free info session at tourmalinedoula.com.

Tourmaline Doula | Ride the wave

30/04/2025

The Pain Management Preferences Scale ☝️can help define and communicate how you feel about medications during labor and birth.

Created by Penny Simkin, this scale is a simple, reflective tool that helps you explore your feelings about pain relief options and clarify your birth preferences.

Discussing where you fall on this scale with your partner, doula and care team prior to labor can help ensure your goals are achievable and your preferences are supported.

Whether you’re drawn to movement, nitrous oxide, breath work, anesthesia, hydrotherapy, epidural, or some TBD combination based on how your labor progresses, this scale helps you check in with yourself—and opens up important conversations about what’s available to you, or what might influence the outcome at your desired birthing location.

It isn’t comparing “I want a ‘natural’ birth” vs. “give me the epidural”, and it’s not about me or anyone else telling you what they think is best for you and your baby.

It’s about understanding what’s important to you, knowing where you need support and sharing it with your partner and care team so we can help.

Have questions about navigating this scale or preparing your birth plan? Let’s chat. 💬🌊