“A CHILD IS THE GREATEST GIFT.”
ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA
About me and my work...
My husband, Mike and I have been married for 26 years and are blessed with 6 children. We have enjoyed homeschooling our two sons and four daughters. As a mother, I have a passion for helping women experience their feminine genius through the beauty of birth and motherhood. All mothers, fathers and their babies deserve to have the best possible birth experiences. I believe this is achieved through informed choices, evidence-based care, and through complete physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support. My goal is to support the family in honoring God's plan for each pregnancy, labor and birth journey.
​​
I delivered 5 of my babies in the hospital and 1 at home. My birth doula work started back in 2003 when I had the privilege to assist my sister with her first son's birth. It was a powerful and incredibly blessed experience. I continued assisting family and friends with their pregnancies and births for the next 18 years. I decided to become certified as a birth doula in 2021. I now have older children which gives me more flexibility to be away from our home. I acted on my discernment to serve because I realized after talking with numerous mothers over the years, that many women are not feeling heard, given adequate time and information, being taught to trust their God-given motherly instincts, or true support for the beautiful, healthy, empowering and transformative pregnancy and birth experience they deserved.
​
I have attended births as a birth doula at hospitals, birth centers, and homes. I have experience in natural birth, medicated birth, water birth, VBAC, and induction births.
​
In addition to my personal birth experiences, I have many years of breastfeeding experience and am able to help you navigate the breastfeeding journey as well as overcome many problems that might arise. I can assist with questions about newborn care, motherhood, postpartum issues, healthy nutrition, and more.
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
-
Madriella Doula Network, Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Certifications
-
Baltimore School of Massage, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Pregnancy and Newborn Massage Specialties
-
Towson University, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Health Education and Community Health
Please note that due to my family obligations, I currently take 1-2 birth doula clients per month.
I offer my services in the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis areas.
If you are interested in booking me for your due time, please contact me as soon as possible.
I look forward to meeting you and sharing in this important and joyful time for you and your family.
AVAILABILITY
Services
Birth Doula Services
As your birth doula, I will work with you to plan for and support the birth you have hoped for.
I am happy to offer information, emotional support, 27 years of motherhood experience, guidance, and in-person labor support.
I will walk you through this awesome experience so that it can be the healthy, happy, and life-changing experience God designed.
​
As a client, you will receive:
• One obligation-free phone interview to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit.
• Two prenatal consultation meetings of 1-2 hours each to discuss your pregnancy, birth plan, and how I can best support you for your birth.
• Text, email and prayer support throughout pregnancy for concerns, questions, or talking through decisions.
• 24/7 on-call availability for your birth from 38 weeks until your baby's birth.
• Labor and birth support from the beginning of active labor until 2-3 hours after the baby is born including physical, emotional, informational, and spiritual support, aid in breastfeeding.
• One postpartum follow-up meeting several days or weeks after the birth.
​
Fee: $1,200.
Pregnancy, Labor, Mommy and Baby Postpartum Massage
As a Certified Massage Therapist, I
specialize in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Infant massage.
​
During pregnancy a mother's body goes through a variety of changes and sometimes this can cause both muscular and neurological discomforts. Some women may struggle with back pain, Sciatica, and circulation challenges. Massage is very helpful in all of these areas.
For each session I bring my massage table and all of the necessary supplies to your home.
​
Plan on 1 hour of bodywork for mothers and typically 30 minutes for your baby.
​
Sessions typically run 2-2.5 hours.
This includes the interview, set up and break down of all the necessary supplies.
​
Fee: $250. per session
Pregnancy and Postpartum Consultations
This private session is for anyone who would like to discuss a birth plan, talk through options, get guidance on pregnancy options, work through a previous birth experience, and gain an overall confidence for a future birth.
Sessions typically run 1-2 hours.
A Consultation meeting may be for you if:
​
You'd like an objective perspective on your past experience or decisions you are currently facing.
You're looking for help with questions on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
You'd like someone to help you process a traumatic or disappointing birth experience.
​
You have questions on interventions you received or are being offered.
​
You would like to walk through the decisions you are making for an upcoming birth.
​
You are looking for someone to pray with and for you as you prepare for birth.
Fee: $70. per session
​
Postpartum Doula services in the home may also be available.
​
Fee: $40. per hour
​
The Gifts....
CONTACT ME
Bernadette's Doula Services
Bernadette Saarinen
Cell
240-280-6010