Rachel Carbonneau

Birth & Postpartum Doula
North Bethesda, Maryland
14 years of experience
About me

I can't remember a time when I was not passionate about family issues, and particularly family health. I had my first child at a young age, and found the perinatal landscape entirely bewildering. Mostly alone, I had no idea what was happening to me and my baby, or how to provide for him once he was born (and later, when he was quite sick). The experience strengthened my desire to support others who find themselves similarly lost at the hands of an impersonal medical institution. ​ ​​ I am committed to helping families access evidence-based information for informed decision-making, and to helping improve the birth experience for all families. I serve families of all types, and I specialize in trauma-informed care, bereavement support, disability advocacy, and neurodivergence, Additionally, I am conversant in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language (ASL). The journey into familyhood should be a time of joy, love, and familial and community support. I founded Family Ways with the intention to help bring such an experience to any individual and family who wants and needs it, and to strengthen the family bond—no matter what shape the family takes. I am honored to have been able to share in the lives of so many beautiful families, if for just this one crucial moment.

Education

Master's Degree (2005)

Certification and training

DONA Birth & Postpartum Doula (2013)

Credentials
CD (DONA) CHW CLE MA
Specialties
Abortion Doula Care Abuse Acupressure During Labor Adolescent Care Anxiety Anxiety and Depression Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Babywearing Birth and Lactation Birth Assistant Birth Doula Birth Support Birth Trauma Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Consultation Breastfeeding Support Caring for Special Needs Children Childbirth Education Evidence-Based Care Exclusive Pumping/Bottle Feeding Grief and Loss HAES (Health at Every Size) Approach High-Risk Pregnancy Home Birth Infant Care Infertility Labor Doula Lactation Consultation Latch Issues LGBTQ+ Life Transitions Loss and Bereavement Doula Low Milk Supply/Over Supply Newborn Care Nipple and Breast Pain Pain Management Panic Parenting Parenting Support Perinatal and Infant Loss Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Placenta Encapsulation Postpartum Adjustment Postpartum Care Postpartum Depression Postpartum Doula Care Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy Loss Prenatal Care Returning to work (pumping, breastmilk storage, etc) Sibling Preparation Sleep Consultant Stress Management Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Support in Pregnancy Loss Teenagers Teen Counseling Telehealth Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Water birth
Languages

English, Spanish, American Sign Language

Service introduction

As birth professionals, we support our clients in three primary ways. The first is education: as experts in our field, we help you access a range of resources and tools to prepare for your family's journey in a personal, meaningful way. We also offer a wealth of workshops, classes, and support groups for learning and growth! Once you have accessed information and resources, we support your decision-making process as you choose the path that is most meaningful to your family. We work closely with you to identify options and articulate your preferences, and we facilitate communication with care providers to amplify and centralize your voice. In birth and postpartum, other care settings, and also in the community at large, we advocate for true patient-directed care. We fight to keep your needs and those of your family at the center of care conversations and procedures, and support you in maintaining a positive and empowered transitional experience.

Packages
Daytime Postpartum Support Package
Tapered daytime postpartum support services over the first 6 weeks postpartum Valid for 8 weeks Includes: * One 1-hour personalized virtual postpartum planning session * Week 1: five 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts * Week 2: four 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts * Week 3: three 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts * Week 4: three 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts * Week 5: two 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts * Week 6: one 4-hour daytime postpartum shift
$2,750.00
USD Flat rate
Complete Postpartum Care Package
Our most comprehensive postpartum package, providing daytime, overnight, and infant feeding support Valid for 8 weeks Includes: * One 1-hour personalized virtual postpartum planning session * Eight 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts for teaching/coaching * Sixteen 8-hour overnight postpartum shifts for rest/recovery * One 1-hour in-home visit with a lactation specialist * One 1-hour virtual infant sleep consult w/ sleep specialist * Free admission to our Infant Feeding Workshop
$8,750.00
USD Flat rate
Basic Birth Doula Package
Targeted support for those welcoming 2nd, 3rd (etc) babies [not recommended for first-time families] Valid for 3 months Includes: * One 1-hour in-home prenatal visit to review labor/birth plan * Telephone, text, and email support throughout pregnancy * On-call services 'round the clock from 38 weeks onward * Continuous labor support, from early labor through the birth * Up to 12 hours of in-person labor support * Unlimited addtl in-person labor support, billed at hrly rate * Postpartum support for 1-2 hours following the birth * Referrals as needed to community or other resources
$1,524.99
USD Flat rate
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