About Me
Hi, my name is Brielle Bernards and I am The Calming Doula. I am a VBAC certified doula through The VBAC Link and a trained birth and postpartum doula through DONA. I specialize in supporting people that have experienced trauma (sexual assault/abuse, birth trauma, etc.). My goal is to help you have a safe and satisfying birth and/or postpartum experience (however you define that). Whether this is your first pregnancy or sixth, you want to give birth at a hospital or at home, you want an unmedicated birth or GIVE ME ALL THE PAIN MEDICATION, I can help. I bring a calming presence and I’m here to bring you whatever physical, emotional, and informational support you need before, during, and after birth.
I wanted to share the reason why I became a doula (note, this next portion may be triggering to some). When I finished my first day of birth doula training, I knew that this was what I was supposed to do. I wanted the horrible things that happened to me to have a purpose, and I wanted to help others like me not feel so alone.
I didn’t become a doula to hold babies (although sometimes I get to and it’s amazing). I am a doula because I want to help survivors have better birth and postpartum experiences.
I am a survivor of sexual abuse and have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because of it. I talk more about this on a podcast I recorded with @risingphoenixmovement. Here’s the link to the podcast, go check it out: https://podcasts.google.com/…/YjA1YzUyZWYtOTVhOC00MzMzLWJmZ…
Because the PTSD is like a scar that will never fully heal, I will continue to have random flare-ups when I am triggered in my life. One of those triggers for a lot of survivors is childbirth, but it doesn’t have to be.
Childbirth can also be incredibly healing for survivors if they have the right support and have put in the work on their own (therapy). I want to help survivors feel as safe as they possibly can when they are giving birth. I want them to know that I am there to support them and to be a witness. I see them, I hear them, and I will do my best to comfort them. And if the anxiety or panic attacks come, I will be there however they need me. I will hold their hand, hold them as they cry, or whisper words of encouragement to help them ground themselves.
This can apply to any kind of trauma. Sometimes it is hard for us to let go of a traumatic experience because we are afraid that everyone will forget about it, move on, and shame you if/when you have a hard day years down the road because “you have no reason to be upset anymore.” Which just isn’t true. Your emotions are valid. Just because you have moved on and let go does not mean that the memory won’t ever bother you again. It might, and that’s ok, and normal.
You are not crazy, and you are not damaged or broken. Your trauma is only a part of your story, it does not define who you are as a person. I became a doula to help survivors have better birth and postpartum experiences. I see you, I hear you, and I won’t ever forget.
Gallery
What is a Doula?
DONA International (Doulas of North America) defines a doula as a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
What do doulas do?
Physical support: work together with the partner (if partner wants to be involved in the labor) to provide comfort measures during labor, counterpressure, prepare hot and cold compresses, relaxation techniques, bringing you food/water, switching out the partner when they need a break, etc.
Emotional support: help the birthing person and partner work through fears and/or self-doubt, non-biased active listener, gives encouragement, non-judgemental, help with figuring out your birth preferences, teaching coping techniques for when things go differently during a birth, comfort the partner if they get nervous, etc.
Informational support: can give the overview of labor and things to know/expect, help you find evidence-based information on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, referrals to specialists (therapists, chiropractors, IBCLCs, pelvic floor therapists, etc.), explain evidence-based pros and cons about certain procedures, etc.
Benefits
A Cochrane review (Continuous support for women during childbirth) found:
For two of these outcomes (designated with asterisks*), the best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labor support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network. The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience a:
25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*
8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff.
Bohren et. al. Continuous support for women during childbirth. (2017) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28681500
Experience
I have experience with hospital, birth center, and home births. I have supported clients with un-medicated births, epidurals, and cesarean sections. I have also supported successful VBACs! Whatever your wants or needs, I will be there to support you every step of the way. I specialize in trauma (survivors of sexual assault/abuse, birth trauma, etc.). I have a very warm, calming presence and work well with those who have mental illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.).
Evidence Based Birth® Instructor
When Survivors Give Birth Training (Introduction, Advanced, and Educator)
Certified VBAC Doula – CVD (TVL)
DONA Trained Birth Doula
DONA Trained Postpartum Doula
Systemic Racism and Implicit Bias in Perinatal Health
Maternal Mental Health Community Training
Testimonials
“Brielle is UHHHMAZING!!! She helped us with our 2nd child in the hospital for an unmedicated birth and her presence there was so reassuring and comforting to me. She kept saying such reassuring things like when I felt the urge to push, “Your body knows exactly how to do this. Listen to your body” and she remained a huge support to us throughout the whole experience. She did counter pressure on my hips the whole time with my husband. They helped me have the labor and delivery experience I wanted. Brielle is family now that she was a part of one of the most sacred days of our lives. I would highly recommend her services!”
– Amber
“When first considering a doula, I was skeptical if it would be helpful. Brielle was very informed. She used evidence based information to help me have a good experience. She helped me work through anxieties and was a great support.”
– Kathryn
“The Calming Doula was a nurturing, kind and wonderfully competent caregiver for us, calming the chaos of bringing our baby home from NICU and connecting us with answers, skills and guidance on helpful supplies and ways of communicating with baby! She is awesome!”
– Chelsea
“As a first time mom, I didn’t know what to expect from a doula, but looking back now I couldn’t have imagined not having one! Brielle was amazing! She voluntarily did a birth prep class with us, which helped us feel so much more confident with labor positions, counter pressure, etc. She went out of her way to make the labor and birth experience go as smoothly and comfortable as possible. A few things that helped me tremendously was her talking to me through the contractions and applying counter pressure consistently (even though I exhausted her I’m sure). I would highly recommend Brielle. Her name is quite fitting, for she really is a Calming Doula!”
– Kendra
“I cannot say enough good things about working with Brielle! She talked through my birth plan and my birth fears and when game time came, she was literally there from the beginning to the end. She helped calm my nerves and encouraged me through each contraction. She helped my husband get very involved, which was pretty important to me. I seriously can’t imagine having been able to have a successful VBAC without Brielle’s support throughout! And following the birth she checked in with me and talked through things with me. It was so interesting to hear her perspective of my birth and empowering to hear the positive things she had to say. She’s not ever allowed to move because I need her to be with me for my subsequent births!”
– Amanda
Services
I serve Utah and Salt Lake counties. I am willing to travel to other areas as well.* I only have one package listed here but I also do custom packages. Please contact me for pricing on custom packages.
*A travel fee may apply to certain areas.
Birth Doula Package – Starting at $1400
Free initial consultation (in-person at a public location or via video call)
2 prenatal visits (1.5-2 hours each) to get to know each other, process previous birth experience(s) if applicable, go over your birth preferences, practice comfort measures, and go over any questions or concerns you have
Trigger Worksheet (if applicable).
Phone call/text/email support throughout your pregnancy (during business hours)
Access to my labor TENS
Access to my lending library
Continuous support during your labor and delivery (either in person or virtual)
1 postpartum visit (1.5-2 hours, at 3 weeks postpartum or later) to discuss and process your birth and to assess if you want/need additional postpartum resources and support
Stand Alone Services
Birth Processing Sessions (Virtual) – $50
We process your birth and discuss any resources or referrals you may want/need. Up to 2 hours.
Birth Preparation Sessions (Virtual) – $200
Going over birth preferences, assistance with writing a birth plan and backup plans, talking about fears/concerns leading up to birth, going over strategies that can be extremely helpful if you’ve experienced any kind of trauma, etc. Up to 4 hours divided into two 2-hour sessions.
Postpartum Doula Services – Starting at $30 per hour (4 hour minimum purchase)
Postpartum services are fully customizable to what your needs are. Some examples of things I can help with are:
Breastfeeding/bottle feeding support
Baby soothing techniques
Babywearing
Light housekeeping
Assistance with meal preparation
Helping with baby (or babies) so you can take a nap, shower, etc.
Sibling support
Night-time services
Non-judgemental emotional support (for postpartum as well as your birth experience if wanted)
Help refer you to a professional if needed (postpartum mood disorders, lactation help, etc.)
Evidence Based Birth® Classes
Please contact me if you have any questions about Evidence Based Birth® classes or would like to inquire about private Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Classes. I can teach courses in-person or virtually.
Evidence Based Birth® Instructors are independent contractors and distributors of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class and are not employees of Evidence Based Birth®. You can find our terms and conditions for the class here https://parents.evidencebasedbirth.com/parent-membership-terms/
Contact
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to schedule a free consultation. I am currently on maternity leave so it may take me a little longer than normal to respond. Thank you for your patience and I look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 801-602-0911
Email: thecalmingdoula@gmail.com