Name: Chrissy Haltom

Contact Information:

Text - (607)351-6185

Instagram- @Christinahaltomdoula

Christinahaltom@gmail.com

Regions Served: Ithaca and surrounding areas, please inquire. 

Type of Doula and focus of care: Birth and Postpartum doula offering support throughout the transitional period of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

General Structure of Doula Services:

Birth Support-

1. Consultation/Meet & Connect: We get to know each other over a quick chat and see if we make a good team. This is your time to ask any questions about doula support and tell me more about you.

2. Booking: A deposit is due at the time of contract signing. Remaining balance is due at the second prenatal visit.

3. Once booked you have access to an extensive lending library of all things birth related. I will send you a client registration form and any additional forms that may need to be filled out. This will help me get an idea of what your birth visions look like and how I can support you through your birth journey.

4. Prenatal Meeting #1: The first prenatal meeting is all about getting to know each other. We'll discuss your goals for your birth, explore your birth options, review/debrief prior birth experiences (if relevant), and develop your birth preferences and intentions. We'll talk about birth physiology to help you better understand the process of labor and building trust in its incredible design. We'll also discuss each person’s role in the birth team and explore your expectations of your labor, birth and early postpartum experience.

5. Prenatal Meeting #2: In our second prenatal meeting we will explore & understand possible medical interventions, discuss the process of making informed decisions/Birthing Person’s Bill of Rights, newborn procedures, body mechanics/prenatal movement, and talk through any fears & concerns you or your partner may have. We will also review your birth preferences, discuss your preferred pain management options, coping strategies, and practice active birth techniques and positions.

6. Birth: From the time you call, you have unlimited access to doula support until you're settled in after birth (around 2 hours post-birth). Most clients call in active labor when they're ready to go to the hospital/birth center, but the decision is up to you as I can support you at home prior.

7. Postpartum Visit: Within the first two weeks, I will come to your home to check in on your wellbeing. We can troubleshoot infant feeding, sleep, and take time to debrief your birth and discuss this new world of motherhood. I can help with things around the house and offer infant support if you’d like to take a shower.

nearby. Taking time for self-inventory and exploration prior to birth can help us envision what we might need in what could be the most paradoxically vulnerable and empowered moment of our life- the birth of our baby (and in a way, the birth of ourselves!).  We can’t always predict what things may come up during the birth of our baby, but envisioning the moment beforehand and being armed with information and ideas on how to navigate potential roadblocks, we offer ourselves the opportunity to look back on whatever the outcome with a light heart. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period are a sacred time that should be trusted, honored and nurtured every step of the way. I feel a deep desire to be a pillar in this support system and an ally on this journey of new beginnings.  

Testimonials

“Chrissy has a calming presence, but feels like a strong/solid person to turn to in times of panic/need! And she has a gift with photography- we didn’t even realize/remember her taking photos because she was so involved but captured so many memories. Her pictures are the most wonderful gift I could have gotten- to be able to go back and relive such a wonderful experience that way is something I treasure so much”

“Chrissy’s prenatal visits were SO beneficial. Having someone who helped with different stretches and techniques made me that much more comfortable, along with the mental/emotional side of things.”—KVA

“Christina has been on this journey with me from pregnancy and beyond. Her presence is strong yet gentle, and you feel instantly calm and capable under her care. I am so grateful for her support and her talent as a doula.” -KL

“The most useful during this labor was the peace and calm environment that Christina provided.” -NT

“Having Chrissy as my doula made the whole experience that much easier and enjoyable. With a week long prodromal labor, having her to check in with, discuss how I was feeling, and giving me tip/things to do, kept me in a better mental headspace leading up to everything.” KVA

“She was my voice when I was too exhausted to speak for myself. “ -RT

Fee Structure: Postpartum care $30/hour, $1050 for Birth Support

Photography: Informal photography offered at no extra charge. Reference pictures below!

Postpartum Care- I offer hourly postpartum care in your home during the times we agree upon. Additionally, I will be available by phone, text or email to answer any questions you may have.  My goal for postpartum care is to help soften the transitional period after birth by encouraging calm and effective bonding, well-nourished and confident parents, and a smoothly run home. The dense nutritional, emotional, spiritual and physical support needed during this sacred time is best fulfilled with a solid foundation of support. I can assist with newborn care, sibling care, breastfeeding, newborn soothing, physical and emotional healing after birth, and referrals to local practitioners if necessary.

Why are you a doula?

As a doula, I want to help educate and encourage women to make informed decisions about their birth experiences, decisions that aren’t rooted in fear or pressures of modern practice. I want women to know that they have a say in how their birth experience unfolds and dispel the myth that birth is unsafe or needs to be actively managed. In fact, birth is much safer when we can find space within ourselves to trust in our bodies. That being said, trusting our bodies looks different for everyone. Sometimes in order to trust our bodies, we need to labor in a hospital where we know there is medical care nearby if needed. Alternatively, we may trust our body best in our own home with only our closest loved ones

“Chrissy was a godsend! With my husband working long hours and a toddler to care for in addition to my new baby, Chrissy was exactly what I needed to get through the postpartum stage. Whether cooking me meals, playing with my toddler, doing dishes, folding laundry, tidying up my home or taking care of my newborn so I could get some sleep, Chrissy was always making my life easier. She is so caring, genuine and relatable, it was like having a friend a visit who helped those postpartum days feel so much more manageable! She was flexible to meet whatever needs I had as I progressed through the postpartum stage, and was always available to answer questions, provide resources and ideas or just be a listening ear. I'm forever grateful for Chrissy and highly recommend her for any new mom!” -JB

Training/Certification: Birth Doula Certification with Birth Arts International, Postpartum Doula Training with BAI, 200hrYTT and currently doing Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, Certificate of Completion for Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss from The Institute for the study of Birth, Breath, and Death, Neonatal Resuscitation Certified, Midwife Assistant

Connect with Chrissy:

Text: 607-351-6185

Email: Christinahaltom@gmail.com

Instagram: @Chrissyhaltomdoula