Hi, I’m Laura.

Welcome to Beautiful Beginnings!

My name is Laura Laird and I am a childbirth educator (BCCE) and childbirth doula (DONA). It is my goal to help expectant parents feel prepared, supported and honored through pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Beautiful Beginnings offers virtual and local, in-person childbirth education classes and doula services. Take a look around and see what I have to offer and please reach out to connect for more information.

**About Beautiful Beginnings**

Helping support individuals and families towards a positive birth experience.
**Birth is a miraculous and life changing event. It can be one of the most empowering events of your life.** We want to do all we can to help you feel prepared, supported, and encouraged through this transformative time to help you have the most positive experience possible.
We believe….
Pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy parts of the life cycle.
Our bodies are powerfully designed to give birth.
Birth can be a wonderful, empowering experience.
Evidence-based education and respect for the individual make a huge difference.
Everyone benefits from being supported through such a significant life event as the birth of a child.

What is a doula and why would I need one?

According to Dr. Christine Morton, author of the book Birth Ambassadors, a birth doula is a companion who supports a birthing person during labor and birth. Birth doulas are trained to provide continuous, one-on-one care, as well as information, physical support, and emotional support to birthing persons and their partners.

Science has shown that when a mother is supported by a doula she is significantly more likely to achieve positive birth outcomes.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker of Evidence Based Childbirth says, “doulas nurture and support the birthing person throughout labor and birth. Their essential role is to provide continuous labor support to the mother, no matter what decisions the mother makes or how she gives birth. Labor support is defined as the therapeutic presence of another person, in which human-to-human interaction with caring behaviors is practiced (Jordan,2013).

Importantly, the doula’s role and agenda are tied solely to the birthing person’s agenda. This is also known as primacy of interest. In other words, a doula’s primary responsibility is to the birthing person—not to a hospital administrator, nurse, midwife, or doctor.”

A doula is present at birth to support YOU, the laboring person through whatever labor may bring to help you feel equipped, cared for, heard and supported.

To learn more about the science and evidence regarding doulas visit Evidence Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

Childbirth Doula Services

Prenatal Services:

Free initial consultation interview.
Two to three prenatal visits with you and your birth partner
- Review your birth preferences
- Discuss and encourage the involvement of your partner
- Revisit the pregnancy and labor process
- Discuss relaxation and comfort measures
- Discuss pain management options
- Practice a variety of positions for labor and delivery
- Make a plan for the immediate post partum period
- Talk about newborn care and share resources
On call period for two weeks on either side of your due date.

Labor Support and Post-Partum Services:

Available for phone and text support 24/7 during on call period
Will come to your home or birth location whichever, whenever you prefer
Continuous labor support throughout labor and birth
- Offer a variety of comfort measures to assist with labor including: relaxation techniques, encouraged movement, a variety of positions for labor, and massage.
- Provide emotional support continuously through reassurance, comfort, and encouragement.
- Provide advocacy by helping you to make informed decisions about your care.
Will remain with you for 1-2 hours after birth until you are comfortable and ready for quiet time alone or with family
1-2 postpartum visits at your home 2-3 weeks following your birth