You have reached the website of Rachel von Doepp IBCLC, CD, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, birth and postpartum doula. Rachel’s practice is guided by a philosophy of nurturing, non-judgmental care that encompasses the entire family and supports the mother’s individual needs and desires throughout her pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding journey. With Rachel by their side, families feel informed, safe and empowered. As an experienced Lactation Consultant with a strong background in labor and postpartum support, Rachel feels honored to be a part of your parenting journey.
What is a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant?
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. under the direction of the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies. IBCLC’s play an important role in assisting the mother baby dyad both inpatient during the first days of life and outpatient as the breastfeeding relationship evolves.
What is a Birth or Labor Doula?
A Birth Doula is a woman that is experienced and trained in childbirth. The greek word doula means “a woman who serves”. She provides continuous support, one-on-one physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. Rachel’s number one job as your Birth Doula is to provide you with emotional and physical support, as well as to provide unbiased and evidence-based information, to help you navigate the often hectic and confusing landscape of modern labor and delivery. Support continues into the postpartum period to help enable a smoother transition.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A Postpartum Doula focuses on the needs of the new mother as well as the newborn and immediate family. She is there to nurture the mother by offering practical assistance as well as emotional support, enabling her to recover faster and feel more confident in meeting the challenges a new baby brings. By providing tools of knowledge and experience, a postpartum doula can help the new mother feel empowered and confident about caring for her newborn, as well as herself. A postpartum doula is a mentor who answers your questions and provides much needed assurance in a gentle, non-judgmental way, allowing you to develop your own unique parenting style.