Naeemah Afi Patterson, Perinatal Doula and CLC

A basic overview of my services and our relationship.

Doulas provide non-medical/non-clinical support for birthing people.

Naeemah Afi Patterson is a Maternity Care Coalition trained, PA state certified, perinatal doula; as well as a Healthy Children's Project trained, Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice Certified Lactation Counselor specializing in supporting BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) birthing people for prenatal, birth and postpartum best experiences and outcomes.

BIPOC AI generated Doula and Client expressing love and care in a pleasant moment

Together, as client and doula, we'll aim to optimize your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience through a series of personalized prenatal doula consultations. As both a cultural and trauma sensitive trained professional, I offer comprehensive support and coaching, along with pregnancy, birth, and lactation education. From nutrition and meal planning, to creating a birth plan, postpartum preparation, and whatever things your life has going on, I will work with you every step of the way to ensure you feel informed, supported and empowered along this magically vulnerable journey. My support as your doula is FOR YOU, the birthing person. Whether they know it or not, the rest of the family/household will be supported to ultimately experience their own best outcomes when you and your wellness are the prioritized focus.

I agree to be on-call for the birth 24/7 from 38 weeks until labor begins, and my (the doula's) presence is requested by the client. Barring any unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, I (or my backup doula* who you will have met before 37 weeks) will attend and support you through the entire labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum until you and baby are settled in your recovery room and have had at least one feeding (usually about 2 hours or so). I bring a very simple toolkit aimed at keeping you comfortable, safe, empowered, focused, and in the flow for the duration of your birth process.

On-call doula and lactation support, days 1-10 postpartum:

By phone-- unlimited (within reason)

In-person-- 24 hours total (in first 10 days)

Postpartum in-person visits total 32 hours over (up to) 3 months/12 weeks.**

The expectation is that the newborn(s) be fed human milk from the parent's body, ideally from 0-6 months (minimum), unless contra-indicated or otherwise genuinely impossible (which is extremely rare). In the event that breastfeeding/chestfeeding is impossible for the client, doula will provide resources and counseling towards the best alternative non-formula options, with formula as an absolute last resort.

There are no guarantees, and we (doula and client) both agree to the honor system and our mutual best efforts and practices. Our doula/client relationship officially begins upon receipt of first payment. If necessary, a payment plan and fee schedule will be provided. Invoices, where applicable, are payable upon receipt unless otherwise agreed to in writing. NO REFUNDS. 

If you have to cancel/reschedule appointments, just give as much heads up as possible. There's a 10 min standard grace period, unless otherwise successfully communicated.

Repeated cancellations rescheduled at doula's discretion.

*Backup doula will only attend in event that primary doula has an emergency or requires a self-care break due to extended duration of labor.

**Postpartum support beyond 12 weeks will be à la carte and subject to availability.

PS-- I take good pics too, in between taking notes, helping clients cope, and working with the birth team of nurses and midwives and/or doctors. I have not yet decided how I feel about sharing others' birth photos even with permission, so there are none to see here. But I do have some texts of gratitude that I'll put on here one day.

I will dig deeper into these topics in future articles and stories, but in the meantime, feel free to ask questions and/or leave comments below or in the Forum.

Also, you could book a Discovery Session if you are interested in having me as your perinatal doula to see if it would be a fit.

One perfect love.

~Naeemah :)