GROW doulas are experienced in a wide range of birth scenarios including normal, high-risk, twins, and cesarean birth. GROW Doulas are well-respected in the birth community of midwives, doctors and nurses as a supportive voice and a wealth of knowledge to help families during this powerful time of birth. 

Susan Cline Lucey and Meg Bronz are the primary doulas for GROW. Reach out to set up a free interview!

Your doula will be a calming, confident presence and support during the weeks leading up to your birth, during your labor, and in the transitional time postpartum.  They will help you navigate the information coming your way in your labor so that you can make informed decisions about your care.

During your pregnancy,  your doula will be a resource to you for questions, conversation, and education, as well as for specific referrals for care including acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, etc. They can assist with writing your birth wishes and planning out everything you envision for your birth. For those with young children, your doula can work with you to prepare the big brother or sister for meeting the baby.

During labor, your doula will:

• Help you find more comfortable positions while you are in labor and specific movements to help your labor progress.
• Apply comfort measures such as counter-pressure on your back and hips, and teach your partner how to take on these support roles if they wish.
• Carry you through the intensity of contractions with breathing techniques and emotional support. We've got you!
• Be an extra pair of hands to help with all the little yet important things that come up such as giving your partner a break if needed, bringing cool cloths and ice chips, refilling waters, etc. 
• Be a calming force with massage, reassuring words, and support.
• Continuously look for ways to connect you and your partner if you have one.
• Be an advocate for your birth wishes and work with you throughout your labor to ensure that you are respected, informed, and in control of decision-making. 

•  A doula does not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, or vaginal exams.  Your doula is there to provide physical comfort,  emotional support, and advocacy and education.

• Hiring a GROW Doula means you are being matched with compassionate, experienced professional support for you and your partner as you journey through this time of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. During your pregnancy, your doula is a resource to you for questions and conversation, as well as for specific referrals for care including acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, etc. Your doula can give you assistance writing your birth wishes and, for second/third-time-parents, is here to brainstorm ways to help big brother/sister transition when baby comes.

  Once you are matched with a GROW Doula, you will set up an interview time with them to see if they feel like the right fit for your birth. Your private doula will have their own contract fees ranging from $1500-$1900 depending on the doula. Each doula will offer 1-2 prenatal visits (typically a few hours long) to dig in deeper about your birth – your hopes and fears, support needs, and how they can work best as a team. They will provide 24 hour on-call support from 38 weeks until you have your baby, and will come to you when you are in labor, whether that is at home or in the hospital. Specific terms of the contract will be set up with the doula you hire according to their own LLC.

  Email susan@growfamilyvt.com with information about your due date and anything specific that will help us match you with the right doula, and we will set up a free interview.