Faith g Trust g Surrender
 Autumn McLees Contact infoCell: 909-534-0315 Email: Autumn940@aol.com          | WELCOME all pregnant mamas & babies!My name is Autumn, and I am a locally trained Doula, and a mother of two. I Doula at hospitals, birth-centers and home-births, and I absolutly LOVE my job. In fact, I don't feel right calling it a "job" because it's truly a passion and calling I believe. My ultimate goal as a doula is to help pregnant mommas achieve the birth they desire, while making sure they're educated and empowered to birth the way they want. My role is to protect your birth, and make it a joyous, rewarding experience. I am one of the rare Doulas around that can relate to moms at both ends of the birthing spectrum. I myself had a c-section (6+ years ago) and turned around 3 years later to have a VBAC home birth. I have achieved and experienced a natural birth (which not all doulas can say,) and I have many connections and friendships with midwives, L&D nurses, and other natural health practitioners. In our area the hospital cesarean rate in 1 in 3 . That means one in three women will undergo major abdominal surgery to remove their baby, verses letting the natural labor process unfold as God designed. This is not only disturbing, but it is heartbreaking, physically challenging, and a hardship for many. It can start a new Mother's journey off on the wrong foot. Leaving her to feel defeated, broken, and un-bonded with her baby in his/her first minutes of life. Many c-section moms suffer from a harder postpartum period, struggle with a deeper depression, and have a longer recovery. One of the main reasons c-sections have become so prevalent is because of a lack of education. I myself fell prey to the hospital system because I was uneducated. However, thankfully in my case it turned out to be a powerful tool for me as the Doula I am today. I can relate to a c-section mom both physically, mentally, and emotionally. For the moms that haven't had one... I know all to well exactly what I'm keeping you from. The other reason our cesarean rate is sky high is because we have lost touch with our inner strength and passion to give birth. Doctors will continue to have their way in birth if we don't speak up. Many moms are frightened of the 'pain' and desire to escape it rather then experience it and reap it's positive benefits. Today we have moms believing in doctors as if they designed birth themselves, instead of believing in their bodies that were made to give birth. Many doctors also have moms believing in the magical number of a "due date." Then of course when baby doesn't arrive on time, they are the ones to rescue and "save" baby from the mom's broken body! This is not at all how we should envision birth. How did we ever come to a place where all the power is taken away from our birthing moms, and given to a doctor or surgeon? (Here's a "Fun Fact" for ya: I personally had my doctor tell me that there's a good chance I needed my c-section because baby might not have FIT!? I then turned right around to have a VBAC home-birth, and gave birth to my baby girl with ease... who was almost a pound bigger.) As a doula, I want to get you excited and empowered to welcome your baby! We don't want you scared, weak and helpless. There is nothing more gratifying then taking charge of your birth, welcoming your baby in the way you desire, and succeeding in those goals... And I am here to make that HAPPEN. What does a Doula specifically do? "Doula" in Greek means: "A woman's who serves." So to sum it up; we are a laboring woman's "servant." Serving her (and dad) in every way, shape, and form imaginable. Everything from making sure she's eating & drinking, helping with pain management techniques, positions to alleviate pain, as well as pressure points/ massage, and helping you made wise decisions along the way which will ultimately impact your birth outcome. A doula is that calm peaceful presence of assurance and encouragement, keeping mom focused and physically relaxed. We are especially helpful in hospital birth settings due to the many scare tactics and interventions hospitals use daily. We also have our eye on dad making sure he's eaten, rested, and ready to meet his little one. Does a Doula replace Dad? The answer is No. Absolutely Not! No one can replace Dad and the comfort he will bring to his significant other. My goal is to be a team with dad, giving him suggestions (if he needs them) and help him feel at peace. Doulas have been known to bring assurance to all dads, but especially first-timmers. A dad may find himself a bit anxious (once labor is in full swing) especially if he's never seen it before. Most dads have trouble classifying what's "normal" and what's not, leaving them to feel a bit unsettled. That's when the assurance of a doula comes in handy. She gets to assure him with phrases like: "This is normal," or "Your wife is doing great!" (etc.) When a Doula is present a dad can take a sigh of relief and enjoy his birth journey. We are also here to give dad a break if it's been a long labor, as we like to make sure he is well rested and ready to welcome his little miracle into the world! Fees: My Doula fee is $500. I have a Doula Agreement that lists all the details but a quick summary of the price includes: * 2 prenatal visits- This gets us acquainted and gives me time to understand your birth plans and desires. * My presence at your labor from the time you call, until the end of your birth. (I tend to stay about an hour after the birth to offer nursing support, and make sure you are comfortable and ready for alone time as a family.) * A postpartum visit- I return about 1-2 weeks later for a postpartum visit where I check in on mom's emotional well being, and baby. At that time I can offer any newborn advice, and of course we'll discuss your overall birth experience. About Me As a child I was always extremely intrigued by babies, and growing into a young adult I found myself gravitating towards pregnant friends and family in awe of the whole process and miracle of birth. I think I managed to inquire about every SINGLE birth story I possibly could. Outside of being pregnant myself, I found birth to be a very scary and fearful experience. It wasn't until I became pregnant that it changed my whole perspective. I became a doula due to a combination of things: A passion to help women have a satisfying birth experience and to help moms avoid a c-section. But ultimately because of a passion that was derived in me from my own two births. I have truly found my ideal job and passion in life, and I believe my two births set the stage for me to be the doula I am today. In my home birth my husband got to help deliver our baby into my arms. God couldn’t have gifted me with a more AMAZING experience! It was then I couldn't hardly stand to be away from the birthing scene. I wanted to help everyone become encouraged that an all natural, RAW birth experienec is ultimately the way to go!
Have a blessed day and I look forward to the honor of working with you! |
Testimonials
First of all I had been having extremely uncomfortable contractions for months prior to having baby. I was already at 4-5 centimeter by 37 weeks, and my doctors were sure I was going to have baby early. Well...baby had another plan she was 3 days PAST my due date. When I finally went into labor Autumn saved the day. She not only comforted me over the phone but told me positions to help with my back labor. When we made it to the hospital she was waiting with a wheel chair and room which was amazing cause I wound up having my baby girl with in 10 mins of walking into the hospital door and if it hadn’t have been Autumn I would have not even had a room. God worked everything out He knew I needed the support and the guidance and Autumn really delivered on both. Super friendly and caring person that I would recommend to anyone anytime.” -Shurena, Moreno Valley
My husband and I were so blessed to have Autumn be apart of the birth of our 3rd son. Her encouragement, resources and wealth of knowledge were priceless to us. She has a passion for educating pregnant women and helping them have the birth experience they want. I loved the time she spent with my husband and I at our prenatal appointments with her. The questions she asked really showed that she cared and also made me consider some things that I wouldn’t have thought about on my own. The binder she gives at the first prenatal appointment is jam packed with information.
When the time came for me have my baby, Autumn was there every step of the way. We were back and forth on the phone for many hours before she needed to come to my house. She would call to check up on me if she hadn’t heard from us in a while.
Having Autumn with us at the hospital was so comforting. Since everything happened so quickly (arriving at the hospital at 9cm), I just remember her being a quiet voice in my ear amidst the chaos of the delivery room. I also remember her fanning my face with a little fold-out fan that she carried in her “nifty doula bag of tricks”. She praised me once my son was delivered and showed true excitement at me doing it naturally. She made me feel like a million bucks.
Once my son was born, the doctors took him right away to tend to some minor complications. I will never forget Autumn whispering in my ear, “Tell them you want to hold your baby.” I was so preoccupied with the doctor forcing my placenta out of me that I didn’t even think about holding my son. I am so thankful for her gentle reminders!!
My husband and I would not have been able to accomplish our first natural birth had it not been for Autumn. She was the person who sparked my desire to go natural, then she gave me all the information and resources we needed to make it happen…and it did! -Amanda, Highland
Autumn was readily available and knowledgable when I had questions during my pregnancy and especially after I had my doctor’s prenatal visits. Throughout early labor at my house, Autumn called me several times to see how I was doing, she gave me words of encouragement and monitored my labor. Later Autumn met me at my house and then we headed to the hospital.
During labor Autumn was calm which helped me stay calm. She started these amazing breathing techniques and coached me through labor. This was awesome! When I became tense she was able to soothe me through breathing techniques. She would encourage me during contractions and also helped me through different positions for delivery. Autumn was caring and supportive all throughout my labor. After delivery, she called and visited me at my home to see how my baby was doing and checked on how I was recovering which helped me feel cared for.
Autumn helped me avoid all these unnecessary hospital interventions that would have happened if she was not there as my doula. Especially since I was an attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. It was so important to me that I have a drug free and natural delivery. I did it!.. And now I have a healthy baby boy for which I am so thankful for! Without Autumn there at the hospital as my doula I don’t know if I would have had my VBAC. Thank you Autumn for being there for me. I'm thankful for your expertise in all you do as a Doula and your support!
-Tina, Rancho Cucamonga
