Gainesville Doula
Holli Best - Birth, Postpartum, Education, Sleep Care, Home Birth & Newborn Support
About Me
Welcome! In 2005 I started my doula journey with DONA International, I was trained and certified then and just a few years ago switched my certification to Commonsense Childbirth Inc. My background from the University of Missouri in Family Life Transitions and Child Development also contributed to my work with families and developing my work philosophy and my love for early childhood education. My husband and I are parents to three red headed pixies who keep us on our toes with daily shenanigans.
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I started my work in a birth center working alongside midwives, doctors and doulas who were very intentional about holistic family care for birth and breastfeeding. I love teaching birth education and empowering couples to navigate birth and postpartum with confidence.
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Along with caring for families during times of celebration, I also walk alongside women during miscarriage and adoption choices. I have held space for times of grief and loss. Being a resource to offer choices, options and companion care.
There are many ways family needs through these transitions, I have made my business as versatile as possible to meet the different needs of each family I support.
Services
Sleep Support
Classes
Birth Doula
Transitioning to parenthood can be difficult. Post birth healing is a deep recovery. Having overnight help can make a world of difference in postpartum days. Each overnight plan is tailored to suit the needs of the family.
Baby Planning Packages
Baby planning with a child developmentalist is a great way to get you home and family ready to welcome the new baby. Baby planning packages are custom to the needs of each family. It can include sibling preparation education, newborn developmental stages or preparing your home. These are in-home meetings so that I can help you get ready to bring baby safely and confidently into your home
There are a few class options, a full series, a refresher, sibling prep and birth healing. Depending on the class you choose we cover; basics of birth, signs of labor, comfort measures, what to expect at the hospital, home or birth center, partner support, what to pack in your birth bag, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, infant care, sleep expectations
As a doula I care for, nurture and mother other women during the process childbirth. Birth support starts during the prenatal months and continues through birth and postpartum. I support birthing people choosing home birth, hospital or birth center options. My experience in all birthing spaces is extensive and I am fully supportive of the birthing choices my families make
Post-birth Support
I've been a postpartum doula for 16 years. My packages for postpartum services are created for meeting the needs of each family. To create the best plan for your fourth trimester we meet before your baby arrives for a birth healing consultation. In the meeting we talk through the postpartum healing needs for mother and infant changes so that we can plan ways having a doula will help ease the adjustment process. The duties can include; helping parents get rest and time for personal care, education for new parent transitions, breastfeeding support, baby bonding, baby sleep, overnight support, babywearing, infant soothing/bathing/comfort care...
Home Birth & Natural Birth Support
If you are considering a home birth, having a doula who has a lot of experience in working with local midwives and in helping with natural birth is a great addition to your birth team. Choosing to give birth at home can be an amazing experience. Having a doula who knows home birth is a great way to get help in planning and preparing for the home birth experience.
Contact Me
If you are interested in getting more information on the care and services I provide, please reach out for a free over the phone consultation.