Carrie Barr CD(DONA)

About Me

Carrie is a Birth doula certified by DONA, Level 2 Reiki practioner and Level 3 Therapeutic Touch practioner. She is excited to help you achieve an empowering birth and postpartum experience. She is fortunate to have experienced 4 vaginal births of her own and committed to helping other families also experience birth in a positive light without fear and aid them in a successful start to breastfeeding and parenting. Carrie firmly believes that birth is a normal part of every woman’s life and your body is perfectly designed to bring your new family member into your waiting arms, wherever you choose to have your birth. It’s her goal to aid you in a birth that empowers you as a woman and mother and leaves you feeling satisfied. She also has gone on to become a Postpartum doula and Placenta Encapsulator.

DONA Certified Birth doula

Carrie attends births in the Durham Region, Ajax, Port Hope/Cobourg area and Whitby and surrounding areas.  Working well alongside Obstetricians, family doctors or midwives in the hospital or at home.

She will meet you approximately 3 times before your due date to discuss your goals, aid you in writing out your birth plan and discuss a successful start to breastfeeding. She will then attend your birth from the time you say “go” until approximately 2 hours after your baby is born and visit you again after you have returned home to answer questions and aid in breastfeeding if necessary. Carrie will work alongside your medical caregivers to give them the time they need to focus on the medical aspects of your birth and allowing you and your partner to focus on the most empowering experience of your lives.

Carrie also is a Level 3 Therapeutic Touch Practioner and has Level 2 Reiki, both modalities of natural medicine will guide you in relaxation and enhance your birth experience.

Doula Services;

• Offer a free introduction interview about 45 minutes long at your home or in a place you are comfortable to meet you and answer questions.
• Two prenatal visits at your home or in a place you are comfortable to aid you in creating your birth plan and learn some relaxing positions and techniques.
• Have available a list of resources you may need to refer to for additional support before, during or after your pregnancy.
• Attend your birth from the time that you ask me to come until approx 3 hours after your new baby is in your arms.
• Assist in establishing breastfeeding and answering questions about your experience.
• A “postnatal” visit to your home or in a place where you are comfortable to follow-up any questions you may have and provide any further breastfeeding support you may need.
• Ensure that if for some reason I am not able to attend I will provide the opportunity for a qualified doula to meet with you in advance and attend your birth in my place.

Fees range from$600-$1000 depending on location and service requirements.

“Dear Carrie, Words cannot even begin to express our thankfullness and gratitude for your support leading up to Jack’s birth.  When the day finally arrived, your knowledge, skills, compassion and support were truly invaluable! I honestly feel that I (we) could not have managed such a difficult birth without your guidance, patience and genuine understanding….Kevin, Sarah Jane and Jack”

“….I met Carrie over a year ago.  After interviewing her as a Doula for the birth of my son, it was clear that she was knowledgeable and experienced in providing support and guidance during the birthing process.  Carrie built a rapport with me and my family with ease.  It is clear that she is a people-person as she was able to connect with each member of my family.  During our meetings leading up to the birth, Carrie was dependable and punctual.  She was able to answer many of my birthing questions and direct to me to helpful resources.  Carrie was amazing during the labour and birth of my son.  This was a long process, but Carrie was with me and my husband every step of the way.  She provided support with care and expertise.  I believe that my birthing experience was enhanced by having Carrie as my Doula….” Kelly VBAC client

DONA Certified Postpartum doula

Carrie is also a Postpartum doula with DONA International and loves helping new families integrate their new baby into their home.  The goal of a Postpartum doula is, in essence to work herself out of a job, so that when her time with the family is complete they feel empowered and harmonious in their new family.  Carrie will provide you and your family with breastfeeding support, infant care, help in integrating the baby into the lives of older siblings, light housework, meal planning and lots of other things. In addition she can also spend some nights aiding you in a good nights sleep and setting some healthy sleep habits for your baby.  Please note that a new mother does not need to suffer a Postpartum Mood Disorder to need/obtain a postpartum doula, our role is to aid all mothers in the 12 month period after the birth of her baby.

Packages;

Birth and Beyond $1600.00

• Birth doula services including 2 prenatal visits, attending your birth as described above.
• Encapsulate your placenta
• 40 hours of postpartum help over a 2 week period 9:30-2:30 between Mon-Fri

Savings of $150.00

BirthWise Package $1200.00

• Two (2) third trimester visits to:
  • Help form a birth plan/wish list
  • Discuss how each member of the birth team will work together
  • Review Prenatal Class Series and answer questions
  • Unlimited assistance by telephone or email from 37 weeks on
  • Continual support during labour and delivery
  • One (1) to two (2) hours assistance after birth
  • Assistance with establishing breastfeeding
  • Postpartum review of birth
  • 6, 5 hour days 9:30am – 2:30pm (30 hours) of postpartum home support services as listed in the services section, to be used within 4 weeks of the birth; dates confirmed within 1 week of the birth Savings of over $150.00

Babymoon Package $600.00

• 30 hours, to be completed within a three week period
• Arranged week days  from 9:30am to 2:30pm, as set schedule or on-call
• Postpartum services listed in the services section above

Savings of $150.00

Nighty Night – $200.00 per over night stay

• 10:00pm to 6:00am
• Bottle/tube/cup feeding or night latching with Doula assistance
• Record of wet diapers/fluid intake (if wanted)
• Get a good night sleep so by day you are rested and prepared to enjoy the day

“…I have no idea how to thank you for the endless list of things you have helped me with.  You have calmed my nerves on so many occasions.  From the bottom of my heart thank you so much.  Everything from you services to the encapsulation, I appreciate it all so much. God Bless, Chrystal”

Placenta Encapsulation

Perhaps most exciting of all Carrie is now able to encapsulate your placenta!!!!  It’s done in a safe and hygienic manner using Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Your placenta will be steamed using herbs that will cleanse your body after birth and restore your energy.  Then dehydrated and ground to fill veggie gelcaps. The result is a capsule to swallow no different than your daily vitamin.  Placenta capsules have many, many benefits for a new mother including increased breastmilk supply, enriched breastmilk, increased energy, a speedier recovery and naturally balancing your hormones to aid in that “baby blues” stage and reduce or eliminate Postpartum Mood Disorders.  Carrie also includes a print of your placenta called the “Tree of Life” and a tincture for future use when the pills have been consumed.  Send her a note for more details on this exciting service.  Please note that she does not “sell” placenta capsules but the “service” of encapsulating your placenta.

Fees are $150 for birth clients, $175 if you drop off and pick-up your placenta and $200 if I pick up the placenta from you and return the completed capsules.

“The capsules are working out great!  Since taking them I feel more energized and emotionally stable.  I stopped taking them for 2 days and noticed a negative change in my mood and energy and vowed not to miss anymore days.  Thank you so much for the extras – the tincture and especially the Tree of Life which was a really pleasant surprise! I will definitely contact  you again for the next baby/placenta….” Jon and Mina

“I wish I had more pills!” Alison