Throughout the US, families are experiencing the benefits of working with a doula. The importance of trusted, non-medical guides and community support has been a tradition for new families all over the world for hundreds of years. More recently, there is extensive scientific data demonstrating that doula support leads to less medicalized births, reduction of bias in medical care, healthier transitions into breastfeeding + parenthood, and improved mental + relationship health.
Kaeli Sutton provides specialized pregnancy and postpartum (after birth) doula support.* She also serves families through abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth. She does not currently offer doula support during birth. *Looking for a birth doula? Find lists of practitioners at Doulas of RI, Umoja NIa Collective or RI Birth Worker Co-op.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
All topics and questions are welcome. Common themes families work with us on include:
- Physical Comfort Strategies
- Safe Exercise in pregnancy
- Mindfulness Based Birth Preparation
- Labor Support and Coping Techniques
- Preparing for a Cesarean Section
- Birth Prep for Families WIth History of Trauma
- Preparing for Babies with Medical Conditions
- Creating Birth Preferences / Plans
- Advocating for Your Family
- Understanding Your Rights + Choices in Birth
- Building Collaborative Partnerships with Your Medical Providers
- Miscarriage, Fetal or Infant Loss Support
- Pregnancy Termination Support
- Creating a 4th Trimester / Postpartum Plan
- Newborn Care + Development
- Breastfeeding 101
- Family Sleep Support
- Supporting Family Relationships
- Emotional Health in Pregnancy and Parenting
- Setting Boundaries with Work and Family
- and more. . . .
My family sincerely appreciated the call-in and video doula support offered by the Doulas at Open Circle. Our virtual meetings have been absolutely instrumental as we have been navigating our birth options and reconfiguring our birth plan, all during a time we were unable to meet in person due to Covid-19. It has connected us with skilled Doulas’ technical knowledge, history of experience, and emotional guidance as we have made important decisions around our birth. We are so grateful this option has been available to us, and highly recommend this service.
HOW DO APPOINTMENTS WORK?
1-2 hour appointments can be scheduled using the calendar above or by calling 401-338-5466.
We can meet at your home, a park, cafe or library. Following each appointment you will be sent an email summarizing our discussion and providing connected resources and links.
PRICING
Many Rhode Island families can now access doula support through their Medicaid or private insurance plans (link coming). Families without insurance coverage can pay for services using our income and resource-based pricing. Cost varies depending on your payment-tier, ranging from $25-$100/hour. All families have a basic right to receive care during the childbearing year; please contact us if you need help applying or are unable to pay.
WHAT IS YOUR PRACTITIONER’S EXPERIENCE?
Kaeli Sutton, is a Birth + Postpartum Doula and Innate Postpartum Care Provider. She is a lactation counselor, pregnancy + postnatal yoga and movement specialist, childbirth educator, massage therapist and certificate candidate in Infant Developmental Movement Education (graduating in early 2023). Kaeli has additional training and experience in trauma-informed pregnancy + postpartum care, families care through loss or illness and skillfully navigating medical systems. Finally, Kaeli is committed to care for the whole family – partners and siblings as well as birth parents and babies, and experienced in helping families navigate identity and relationship changes.
WHY IS RECEIVING SUPPORT IMPORTANT?
Pregnancy, birth + the first few years of a child’s life are profoundly formative for the whole family — a rite of passage filled with potential for amazing growth, but also for deep challenge. Many American families have limited family or communal support + little or no maternity/paternity leave. We believe that a families health and resilience is be strengthened through having access to support systems and through receiving clear, respectful and trustworthy care.
Kaeli collaborates with other birth professionals in Rhode Island + nationally, regularly making referrals if a family would benefit from additional supports.