The Birth Doula 

 

A birth doula is a knowledgeable, supportive guide for you during labor and birth. Our role is to provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and just after childbirth. We don’t replace medical professionals like doctors or midwives but instead focus on ensuring you and your birth partner feels empowered, comforted, and informed throughout the experience.

Think of a us as a mix between a coach, cheerleader, and calm presence. We offer things like breathing techniques, positioning suggestions, hands-on comfort measures (like massage or counterpressure), and reassurance to both you and your partner. Our goal is to help you have a positive and supported birth experience, no matter what kind of birth you are planning—whether it's unmedicated, with an epidural, or a C-section.

 

The Postpartum Doula 

A postpartum doula is a knowledgeable, supportive companion for you and your family in the early days and weeks after birth. Our role is to provide emotional support, hands-on help, and evidence-based guidance as you adjust to life with a newborn.

Unlike a nanny or babysitter, we focus on caring for your whole family, not just your baby. We offer practical help like newborn care, feeding support (breastfeeding or bottle-feeding), meal prep, light housekeeping, and help with infant sleep. Just as importantly, we provide emotional reassurance, answer questions, and help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

Our goal is to make your transition into parenthood smoother, ensuring you feel rested, supported, and empowered as you recover from birth and bond with your baby.

Are you a recipient of South Dakota Medicaid? Transitions has doulas who accept Medicaid payment. Find out about Medicaid coverage of doula services HERE.


 
Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor.
— American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists

Are you a South Dakota Medicaid Recipient? Doula services are a covered service through Medicaid! Contact us!

 

Birth Doula Packages

 

Cesarean Doula Packages

Standard Birth Doula Package

BIRTH / STARTS AT $1000

  • At least two prenatal appointments covering the topics of birth and postpartum preferences and comfort measures, usually around 28 and 36 weeks.

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • 24/7 on call support during your birthing time, 38-42 weeks

  • Continuous support throughout labor, whenever and wherever that is

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of birth and postpartum preferences, comfort measures, labor stimulation and breastfeeding

  • Call and text support throughout the postpartum period

  • A postpartum check in from your doula to discuss healing, feeding, and to process the birth story

Supported Doula Package

BIRTH + POSTPARTUM / $1800

Consists of everything in the Standard Birth Doula Package PLUS

  • A 2-hour postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • 20 hours, daytime, in home Postpartum Doula Care

Deluxe Doula Package

BIRTH + POSTPARTUM / $3600

Consists of everything in the Standard Birth Doula Package PLUS

  • Your choice of one of the amazing childbirth education courses OR placenta encapsulation service… you choose!

  • A postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • 60 hours, day or night, in home Postpartum Doula Care

Cesarean Doula Package

PLANNED CESAREAN BIRTH / $750

If you’re anticipating a cesarean birth, you will be in great healing hands with the Cesarean Doula Package!

The Standard Cesarean Doula Package consists of:

  • One prenatal appointment covering the topics of birth and postpartum planning. This is the time to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of birth and postpartum preferences, and breastfeeding

  • A postpartum check in from your doula to discuss healing, feeding, and to process the birth story

PLANNED CESAREAN BIRTH + POSTPARTUM / $10,000

If you’re anticipating a cesarean birth, the deluxe cesarean package adds a comprehensive postpartum support plan for six weeks post delivery.

The Deluxe Cesarean Doula Package consists of:

  • One prenatal appointment covering the topics of birth and postpartum planning. This is the time to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of birth and postpartum preferences, and breastfeeding

    Doula Support includes:

    • 10 hours of doula support in the hospital, day or night, split up as desired

    • Daytime postpartum support hours in the home, 7 days of 4 hour shifts, scheduled as desired to use in the first 8 weeks

    • Week 1-2,  overnight care 5 nights per week, 10 hr shifts

    • Week 3-4, overnight care 4 nights per week, 10 hr shifts 

    • Week 5-6 overnight care 3 nights per week, 10 hr shifts





Postpartum Doula Packages

Custom Postpartum Doula Package

$35/hour DAYTIME, $40/hour OVERNIGHT

Don't see a package that fits your needs? Let us know your budget and we can work with you to build a customized package that meets you where you’re at.

The basic requirements include:

  • Minimum of 3 hour day/6 hour night shifts

 

Starter Postpartum Doula Package

DAYTIME

48 HOURS / $1600

This package makes a great baby gift. Need some help getting the hang of things? We’re here for you.

The Starter Postpartum Doula Package consists of:

  • A postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of postpartum and feeding.

    Doula Support includes:

    • 48 hours of doula care, suggested scheduling for 4 weeks:

      • 3 days a week

      • 4 hour shifts

 

Transitional Package

DAYTIME + OVERNIGHT

128 HOURS / $4600

Transition your way into the fourth trimester.  This package mixes days and nights to ease your way through your postpartum period, and come out the other side feeling supported and healed.

The Transitional Package consists of:

  • A postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of postpartum preferences and feeding

    Doula Support includes:

    • 116 hours of postpartum doula support: 8 nights and 12 days total. Suggested scheduling:

      • Weeks 1-2:  8 nights total, support 3-5 nights per week, 10 hour shifts

      • Weeks 3-6:  12 days total, support 3 days per week, 4 hour shifts

 

Standard Overnight Package

OVERNIGHT

120 hours / $4,500

Keep your feet under you for the first month by making sure you’re getting the rest you need to heal.

The Standard Overnight Package consists of:

  • A postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of postpartum and feeding

    Doula Support includes:

    • Weeks 1-4: overnight support 3 nights/week, 10 hour shifts 

Executive Overnight Package

OVERNIGHT

410 hours / $15,500

This package helps your family sleep, and transitions your overnight schedule with help from your doula.

The Executive Overnight Package consists of:

  • A postpartum doula consult during pregnancy to discuss your priorities and concerns, make a plan how to best work together to meet your needs, and support the transition into your fourth trimester

  • Empowered to Breastfeed Class

  • Your own Postpartum Planning custom booklet

  • Phone, text, email support throughout this journey

  • Resource emails covering the topics of postpartum and feeding

    Doula Support includes:

    • Weeks 1-3: overnight support 5 nights/week, 10 hour shifts

    • Weeks 4-6: overnight support 4 nights/week, 10 hour shifts

    • Weeks 7-8: overnight support 3 nights/week, 10 hour shifts 

    • Weeks 9-12: overnight support 2 nights/week, 10 hour shifts 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Doula Support

Does my insurance cover doula support?

Some insurances do cover doula support! As of January 1, 2025, recipients of South Dakota Medicaid receive up to $1800 in doula support. Other insurances that have been known to reimburse in the past are BCBS and medishare plans. HSA and FSA can also cover doula services.

Let us know how getting the support you desire more feasible. We offer payment plans!

My (insert family member) will be around to help after baby, do I still need a postpartum doula?

In some cases, your mom/mother in law might be the perfect person to support your new family. In other cases, maybe they have different parenting philosophies. Maybe they don't live nearby, so their support is only for a small window of time.

As a postpartum doulas, we can provide care at any point in the postpartum journey, and we have the training and education (and experience!) to provide a non-judgmental and empathic ear.

So what do you DO the entire time you're here?

During our initial conversation, we will discuss your specific needs with the understanding that your actual needs may change over the duration of our time together.

Our primary concern is that your needs are being met... have you slept? when did you eat last? do you want to jump in the shower? what are you struggling with right now?

We can also help with light housework, like washing pump parts or bottles, folding laundry, preparing meals or even running to the store for you. We’re really good at entertaining toddlers and older children so you can get a break without another human hanging off of you.

We’ll never leave a shift without touching base on how YOU are doing... because when everyone else only sees the baby, we will be watching the foundation (read: Mom/Birthing Person/Parent/Family Unit).

Overnight: Your doula will join you in the evening and check in with how your day went, help with any concerns, and provide that emotional support before you slip off to bed. Your doula will then have an ear out for baby the entire night, and provide nighttime care.

Exclusively breastfeeding? Our lactation counselor will help you and the doula develop a plan so that you can get sleep AND continue to feed as you intend! Don’t

How long do you stay?

It all depends on your needs! A minimum day shift is 3 hours, and a minimum overnight shift is 6 hours. Some families want help once or twice a week, while others prefer a little help every day. Some postpartum doulas limit their time with their clients to the first few months of baby's life... At Transitions, we find the postpartum period definitely extends further, and we can provide services beyond that time.

What makes you different?

  • We have a team that has been in this birth community for years. We’ve supported countless families on this journey, and we’ve helped process many, MANY birth experiences.

  • We have a Certified Lactation Counselor (Renee), and can help you with latch, breastfeeding assessment, and weighted feeds in your home.

  • We have brought home our own babies, and can personally empathize with so many different scenarios that families encounter in this season of life.

  • We support and celebrate families of all kinds.

What are Daytime hours vs Overnight hours?

  • Daytime (7am-7pm)

  • Overnight (7pm-7am)