Hi, I'm Allison. I am the owner and founder of Holistic Birth & Beyond. I am a birth & postpartum doula, childbirth & lactation educator, reiki practitioner and birth story mentor. For me, my passion lies with empowering and supporting families on their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys.
The entire perinatal timeframe is so much more than baby registries, maternity photos and nursery painting. This is a time of transition. This chapter will transform you into a new parent and a new version of yourself. We aren't meant to navigate this alone; that's where our team comes in.
Providing warmth and unconditional love for parents, newborns and the family as a whole is an honor. Being part of such a vulnerable, intimate experience is extraordinary and something I truly cherish. I live in Goffstown, NH with my family. When I'm not at a birth or meeting with clients & colleagues, you can find me spending time with my family, friends and houseplants.
Certification and training
Birth Doula Certification, CAPPA (2017)
Postpartum Doula Certification, CAPPA (2018)
Usui Reiki Level Two Practitioner (2019)
Certified Lactation Educator, CAPPA (2020)
Certified Childbirth Educator, BAI (2021)
Acupressure for Birth (2020)
Birth Story Mentor, Birthing From Within (2018)
Certified Placenta Preparation Specialist (2022)
Memberships and affiliations
CAPPA Member
Institute of Birth, Breath & Death Member
NH Breastfeeding Taskforce Member
Credentials
CBECLDCLECPD
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Specialties
Acupressure During LaborBabywearingBirth and Lactation Birth DoulaBirth TraumaChildbirth EducationHigh-Risk PregnancyHome BirthInfant CareInfertilityLabor DoulaLGBTQ+MindfulnessMultiplesNatural BirthNatural ChildbirthNewborn CareNewborn PrepOvernight Newborn CarePain Management ParentingParenting SupportPostpartum CarePostpartum Doula CarePregnancy ComplicationsPremature InfantsPrenatal CareReturning to work (pumping, breastmilk storage, etc)SpiritualitySupport during Labor, Birth, and PostpartumSupport in Pregnancy LossTrauma RecoveryVaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)Water birth
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Languages
English
Service introduction
This is a sacred time, and you deserve support.
Bringing new life into this world is extraordinary, and we understand that there is a lot of new or unfamiliar territory that you may be discovering. During pregnancy, birth and postpartum, you deserve to feel empowered, informed and supported. We deeply care about your emotional, physical and mental wellness, and we value the journey that you are on.
Using a holistic and thoughtful approach, we provide a range of services including birth doula services, postpartum doula services, childbirth and lactation education, reiki treatments and Birth Story Medicine® sessions.
We are honored to help.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a birth doula?
A birth doula provides emotional and physical support, along with resources and birth preparation to an expecting family prenatally, during birth and shortly after.
What does a birth doula do?
Birth doulas meet with you prenatally, offers support throughout your labor and birth, and is there for you as you transition into your postpartum chapter. Some things that are included in doula work: prenatal visits, telephone/email support, on-call availability, continuity of care, assistance and support during labor and birth, assistance with optimal fetal positioning (which can be discussed prenatally and utilized during the birth process), aromatherapy, massage, photography, breastfeeding support, resources and much more.
What kinds of birth do birth doulas support?
Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of birth. A lot of people imagine doulas supporting home births or think doulas are only for the "crunchy" families. While that may be a stereotype for doulas, a large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning that they might be a better fit for a certain idea you have for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here. Doulas support any and all birth, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births to unmedicated hospital births to scheduled cesarean births.
How does a birth doula work with my partner?
A common question we get is, "Will my partner feel left out?" Honestly, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our role supports them as well. We firmly believe that our role as your doula is to amplify support, and that goes for your partner too. We have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. Even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences and desires. We work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to also stay hydrated and to take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort in knowing they are supported as well.
What is a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula comes with endless resources, support and guidance during the transition into parenthood from the first few weeks to a few months postpartum.
What does a postpartum doula do?
Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple weeks to a couple months. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, lactation, laundry and more. Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."
How does a postpartum doula work with my family?
Working with your family means that the doula offers encouragement, advice and guidance as everyone navigates the new transition. Support for the family often looks like suggestions for bottle feeding and bath time, help with preparing dinner, and more. Yes, a professionally trained postpartum doula makes you the priority. This includes your mental and emotional health, your physical healing from birth, and your sleep. Those needs are often met when a postpartum doula supports another aspect of the family/home. When you feel your baby is taken care of, the kitchen is organized and your lunch is made, your overall well-being has a chance to feel restful and cared for. A postpartum doula tends to what you need, sometimes even without needing direction (as long as it's within their scope of practice).
What does a typical schedule look like with a postpartum doula?
The work you and your postpartum doula do together can look different than someone else's work with them. Each family's needs are unique, therefore your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs. Depending on the doula and their availability, you may have them do day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. Some doulas even will do longer if needed! You can choose to have your doula with you once a week or several days a week; again, it's completely between you and your doula. For example, we have done three 6-hour day shifts a week with one family, and two 4-hour evening shifts a week with another family. It all depends on your needs, your doulas availability and offerings, and when you need support.
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