Details of Service

In-person doula services have the following optional, included services:

• prenatal: perineal massage, BP/HR or fetal monitoring, visual aids, energy snacks, birthing position practice, tips/remedies for pregnancy symptoms, and help with nursery set-up

• labor and delivery: photography, aromatherapy, massage, healthy snacks/electrolytes

• postpartum: 2-4 hour visits, nourishing snacks/tea, tips/remedies for breastfeeding, self-care and newborn care, light household tasks like laundry and dishes

During labor and birth, a doula provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support throughout your labor and birth experience. From the early signs of labor to the moment your baby arrives, I am by your side to offer comfort measures like massage, breathing techniques, positioning guidance, and reassurance. I help create a calming environment, advocate for your preferences, and work alongside your medical team to support a birth experience that aligns with your values and goals. Whether at home, a birth center, or a hospital, my role is to nurture your confidence, reduce stress, and ensure you feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

Prenatal Visits are scheduled and will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. A prenatal visit with your doula is all about building trust, preparing for birth, and personalizing your care. You can typically expect discussions and coaching to pertain to birth preferences & planning, comfort techniques, partner support guidance, education & empowerment, and a check-in on your emotional and physical wellbeing. This is also a time to talk through any fears or questions and ensure you feel heard, supported, and prepared. You’ll leave the visit feeling informed, empowered, and prepared for birth and beyond!

Postpartum Visits are scheduled and will last up to 4 hours depending on care needs.  A postpartum visit is designed to provide compassionate care, practical help, and emotional support as you recover from birth and adjust to life with your baby. During our time together, you can expect the doula to provide: newborn care support, lactation & feeding help, emotional support, light household help, and healing & self-care support. Whether it’s your first or fifth baby, each visit is personalized to what you need most—judgment-free, nurturing, and affirming.

Although unlimited according to plan, these virtual support sessions are capped at 45 minutes per session and must be scheduled. A virtual visit is similar to an in-person visit, but will not include any physical support or newborn care. There are plenty of support activities that can still be done virtually, we try our best to tailor each virtual session to your specific needs, and will provide as many resources as we can to help you from afar. 

Every birth experience is unique—and sometimes it helps to talk through it. In a Birth Story Processing session, we create a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to share your story, reflect on your experience, and explore any emotions that may still feel unresolved. Whether your birth went exactly as planned or took unexpected turns, this session is designed to help you feel heard, validated, and supported as you make sense of your journey and continue healing emotionally and mentally.

Crafting your birth plan is a powerful step toward preparing for your labor and delivery experience. During this session, we’ll explore your preferences, values, and goals for birth—from pain management options and environment choices to postpartum wishes and newborn care. Whether you're planning a hospital birth, home birth, or birth center experience, we’ll help you understand your options and create a clear, flexible plan that supports your voice and empowers your journey.

Celebrate and cherish the early moments of your baby’s life with a personalized Newborn Keepsake. As your doula, I’ll help you create a meaningful memento that captures the beauty of your journey—whether it's a handcrafted item, a written reflection, a photo keepsake, or a blend of creative touches. This service is designed to honor your transition into parenthood and preserve those once-in-a-lifetime memories in a tangible, heartfelt way. Pricing is dependent on the type of keepsake, and the timeframe for which it will be completed.

If you have an in-person doula, physical copies of recommended books, articles and other materials related to birth, postpartum, and parenting, will be available to lend during the duration of service. There will also be online resources available via the Khumalo Birth and Beyond Portal, which is scheduled to become available in 2026.

Though birth partners are welcome to attend prenatal and postpartum visits, the Birth Partner Lesson is designed to provide full attention to the birth partner, provide specific coaching on birthing positions, labor prep, and newborn care. Printed resources will also be provided to guide them. This session will last 90 minutes, and will need to be scheduled. For a more thorough learning opportunity, especially for new parents, we suggest enrolling in our 4-hour Childbirth Education Class!

This is a dedicated in-person session that provides one the following service options: 45-minute massage, prenatal or postnatal yoga, prenatal or postnatal strength training, belly binding, an herbal remedy, prenatal or postpartum tea and talk, a vaginal steam, or a herbal bath. This is a scheduled service that is included in 3 of our Birth and Beyond packages and our 1-on-1 session package. The service you decide is completely up to you and what you need at the time of service. If there are other wellness practices you desire, do not hesitate to ask your doula if they can provide it for you!

A meal planning visit usually lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes and is scheduled as part of a package or individually. This session is designed to meet you where you are and support your desire to create healthy meals for your family, your children, or yourself as you prepare for a new baby. We will discuss your budget, current food preferences and desired portions, and will provide a basic overview of a weekly meal plan that is customized to achieve your meal planning goals! At the end of the session, you will also get a meal made by me! For more detailed planning or to have meals prepared for you, book a meal prep consultation and take a look at the preset menus (coming September 2025).

Belly binding is a traditional postpartum practice that involves wrapping the abdomen with a supportive cloth to aid in physical recovery after birth. This gentle technique can help support the core muscles, promote better posture, reduce swelling, and encourage the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size. During your belly binding session, I’ll guide you through the process or apply the wrap for you, using breathable, natural materials and honoring your comfort and healing. It’s a nurturing ritual that supports your body during this sacred time of recovery.

Experience the ancient tradition of healing through water and plants. Our Herbal Bath Service is thoughtfully crafted to promote relaxation, physical healing, and emotional renewal during pregnancy, postpartum, or any stage of life that calls for deep care. Each bath is prepared with a custom blend of organic herbs chosen to: soothe tired muscles and tender skin, support postpartum healing and reduce inflammation, promote emotional balance and reduce stress, or create a sacred space for reflection, rest, and connection. Whether you are celebrating a new life, honoring a personal transition, or simply seeking restorative care, our herbal baths are a beautiful way to nurture your body and spirit.

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Rooted in traditional wellness practices from cultures around the world, vaginal steaming offers a gentle, natural way to reconnect with your body and support reproductive health.

Our Vaginal Steaming Service provides a peaceful space for you to: support postpartum healing and uterine recovery, ease menstrual discomfort and promote cycle balance, nourish pelvic health and circulation, foster emotional and energetic release through mindful self-care. Each session includes a custom herbal blend tailored to your unique needs, that will be safely steamed in a relaxing, private environment where you can fully unwind and let the herbs do their magic on your womb, mind, and soul.

A hands-on, educational experience designed to help expecting parents feel confident and prepared for both labor and the postpartum journey. This session provides practical tools, body-based practice, and emotional readiness to support a smoother birth and recovery.

Labor & Birth Position Practice

• Review and practice all labor and pushing positions that encourage progression, support fetus alignment, and reduce strain

• Finalize desired comfort techniques such as essential oil use, breathing exercises, massage tools, hydrotherapy options, and the use of props (birth balls, rebozo, pillows)

• Review when and how to shift positions to support labor progress and your desired level of support from your doula and birth partner

Coping & Comfort Strategies

• Review pain management and preference scale to finalize expected interventions, if any

• Techniques for managing contractions (breathing, massage, prayer, visualization, counter-pressure)

• Review cues for birth partners in each phase of labor to build confidence in providing appropriate emotional support in the hardest of moments

• Finalizing birth environment requests like lighting, scriptures, focal points, music, etc. 

Postpartum Preparation

• Healing tips and recipes for vaginal or cesarean recovery

• Planning for nutrition, rest, and household support

• Gentle postpartum movement, emotional wellness resources, and self-care practices

• Setting realistic expectations for newborn care and family adjustment

Labor Prep Checklists

• Review of birth plan, back-up birth plan, emergency plan, hospital bag items, car seat installation, and childcare arrangements

• Review of how to utilize provided teas and oils to help with labor progression, should it be needed, as well as, expectations for daily movement and perineal massage techniques to prepare for labor and reduce tearing

• Finalize expectations around contacting your doula for labor and birth support

This session has everything you need to feel ready–so when labor begins, you feel calm, confident, and supported, and when baby arrives, you have a thoughtful plan for recovery and adjustment. Sign up for the Postpartum Recovery Program to get more detailed guidance and support for all of the above, and more!

During a postpartum visit, doulas assist with newborn care basics such as diapering, swaddling, soothing techniques, bathing guidance, and safe sleep practices. We also support infant feeding—whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combining both—and help troubleshoot early challenges. My goal is to nurture both you and your baby, offering reassurance, answering questions, and helping you build a strong, confident bond with your little one. This care is personalized to meet your family’s needs, honoring your pace and parenting style. You may even get a nap in while I care for your baby, if that is what you need!

At Khumalo Birth and Beyond, we prioritize mental health just as much as we care for the physical health of our clients (if not more). A tea and talk visit is designed to focus on letting out or taking in what you need, when you need it. Whether you are struggling with anxiety during pregnancy, battling depressing feelings during postpartum, or even having difficulties coping with loss, we are trained to support you and make you feel seen! This session can also be used as a safe space to 'yap' with your doula about anything else--good, bad, or ugly! Sometimes having a good yap session is all you need to help you keep going through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

A guided, evidence-based support system for new parents during the critical weeks and months after childbirth. It focuses on healing, education, emotional well-being, and practical tools to help families thrive in the transition to parenthood and beyond.

Program Format

• Length: 6–12 weeks (flexible, depending on needs)

• Delivery: Live Zoom sessions + pre-recorded yoga and strength training videos + downloadable resources like meal plans, workout schedules, and homeopathic remedies

Physical Recovery Support

• Guidance on healing from vaginal or cesarean birth

• Pelvic floor awareness and gentle restorative movements

• Nutrition and nourishment recommendations to support healing and energy

• Sleep hygiene strategies for the postpartum stage

• Lactation guidance (breastfeeding, pumping, or formula support)

• Holistic tips for rebalancing hormones

Emotional & Mental Health Care

• Check-ins for mood, anxiety, and stress management

• Coping tools for postpartum depression/anxiety risks

• Journaling or mindfulness exercises

• Partner relationship support and communication strategies

Community & Connection

• Access to a private online community or chat space for ongoing peer support

• Guest experts (lactation consultants, pelvic floor therapists, nutritionists, pediatricians)

Practical Household & Lifestyle Support

• Time management tips for balancing newborn care with daily life

• Meal prep and household organization strategies

• Return-to-work planning guidance

• Self-care rituals to prevent burnout

Placenta encapsulation is a holistic postpartum service that supports new parents in their physical and emotional recovery after birth. This service involves the safe preparation of the placenta, which is then dehydrated, ground into a fine powder, and placed into easy-to-take capsules.

Consultation & Intake

• Review of health history, preferences, and desired outcomes

• Education provided based on evidence to allow for informed decision-making

Pickup & Preparation

• Client’s birthing location will receive a specimen collection/release form that, once approved, will allow for the placenta to be retrieved by the doula for processing

• Processing in a sanitized environment following strict OSHA approved safety and hygiene protocols including

  • Washing hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water

  • Dressing in brand new PPE: sterile gowns, gloves, masks, hair nets, and eye protection that is disposed of after preparation

  • Using equipment and a workstation that has been thoroughly sanitized and dried

  • Strict labeling on each client’s placenta (we only ever process one placenta at a time) and all materials used for its preparation 

Encapsulation Process

• Placenta is rinsed, steamed (Traditional Method) or raw-prepared (Raw Method, if requested and appropriate)

• Thinly sliced and dehydrated at a food-safe temperature

• Ground into a fine powder and encapsulated into vegetarian capsules

Delivery of Capsules

• Capsules are packaged in a labeled, sealed amber glass container

• Return delivery within 5-7 days (timeline may vary depending on schedule and availability)

Optional Add-Ons

• Placenta tincture for extended postpartum or menopausal support (requires 6 weeks to process, but has a long shelf life and is highly potent)

• Placenta prints or keepsakes (cord keepsake, artwork)

Potential Benefits (Anecdotal)

While research is still limited, many parents who choose encapsulation report:

• Improved energy and vitality

• Balanced mood and reduced feelings of sadness or anxiety

• Enhanced milk supply

• Faster physical recovery

Potential Risks

Note: Your doula is not responsible for adverse reactions you might have from the consumption of your placenta via the prepared capsules.

Placenta encapsulation is considered a complementary, non-medical practice and is not regulated by the FDA. While many families choose this service, it’s important to be aware of potential risks, which may include:

• Risk of infection, particularly in cases of maternal fever, chorioamnionitis, or certain infections

• Limited scientific evidence supporting claimed benefits

• Hormonal effects, which may not be appropriate for everyone

• Possible delay in recognizing postpartum mood disorders if symptoms are masked

Placenta encapsulation is a personal and meaningful choice for some families. The service provides a way to honor the placenta’s role in pregnancy while offering natural support during the postpartum journey.