"As our due date approached (and passed), Tonya emailed and called with words of encouragement and wisdom; she helped us keep a great perspective and positive attitude" (Becca L.)
My postpartum visit with Tonya is just what I needed to help me through the baby blues that I was feeling" (Cheryl C.)
What is my role as your birth doula?
As your doula, I am contracted by you, working for you, not for your caregiver or the hospital. I am independent and self-employed.
I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional, informational, and physical support as well as advocacy to women and their partners throughout her labor, delivery, and recovery. Here are some examples of this support along with testimonials about that support;
Emotional Support
In a prenatal visit we discuss your hopes, fears, concerns, and expectations as you approach your due date. I answer questions you may have, and we work out a game plan to help deal with any obstacles that may come, and ultimately try to make your wishes for this birth experience come true. During your labor I will check in with you and asses your needs. I will provide encouragement, reassurance, and remind you of your purpose. You will have my repect for your feelings and wishes. In the event that there is a departure from your birth plan and medical interventions are needed I will provide you with a calm presence and provide information so that you, your partner and your family if present feel supported and have a good understanding of what is taking place.
Informational Support
Giving you tools to successfully communicate with the medical staff. Keep you informed on your labor progress and any departure from your birth plan. Help you gather information when it comes to medical intervention and if applicable suggest natural alternatives that may be available to you, so that you can make informed decisions on your care.
"Things kept moving slowly but I am eternally grateful for her
knowledge and creativity regarding positioning techniques to
get things moving when they were slow. Her gentle words of
encouragement were both reassuring as well as motivating."
(Cari A.)
Physical Support
Guide your partner on ways that they can help with your discomforts or if you so desire, take the lead and take over the what to do's and let them just love you and enjoy the moment.
I will help you into various positions and suggest labor exercises to help with labor progress, possible baby rotation, and comfort.
Pamper you with massage and facilitate other relaxing techniques and distractions.
Help to make sure that you and your partner remain hydrated and nourished throughout the labor.
"She came to our house and labored with us before we all left for the hospital. During contractions, the "double hip squeeze" (which is really a 2-person job) gave me the most relief. Tonya and my husband worked together to help me manage the pain during contractions. Even when I had to lay on a bed for ~20 min, she continued the hip squeeze! " (Becca L.)
"She knew just when to give me a cold wash cloth or a drink of water and just when to step back and let me work through a contraction on my own." (Cheryl C.)
If you would like to set up a no obligation meet and greet please contact
Doula Tonya Gervacio
via email at tonya@tonyagervacio.com
or by phone or text at 253-232-5952
You can also check her out on Facebook
"At our "introductory" meeting, Tonya impressed us with her
knoweldge, experience, and most importantly (to us), her grace and compassion. At the time, I knew very little about waterbirths and she educated us so that ultimately, we went with a water birth. Now, I can't imagine doing it any other way!" (Becca L.)
Advocacy
"A water birth was very important to me since it didn't
work out with my other two children and I knew that this
would be my last. When Tonya saw that I was about to
have my baby on the bed she remembered our conversation
about the waterbirth and jumped into action making sure
that the tub was warm enough and reminding my midwife
how important it was to me." (Cheryl C.)
* Photographs are not of those whom gave testimonials
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