Ayurdoula - Charlotte Sternkind Del Toro

Massage Doula
Certified Doula, CD (DONA)

Your memories of labor and birth stay with you the rest of your life. Will you feel loved, supported, cherished and encouraged? Your baby will retain unconscious impressions of how you brought them into the world. Will your infant feel nurtured, listened to and bond well with you? We offer a multitude of the most conscious birthing options ranging from support in traditional medical settings to assisting you and your baby with a midwife in the comfort of your own home. Packages can be custom tailored to fit your vision, selecting from prenatal massage and partner massage, birth planning, doula support, postpartum massage and infant massage instruction options. We can also prepare your partner for the birth event and discuss how we can support you as a team.

Am I available be your doula? Please check the 8 am slot on my calendar.

Please call Charlotte at (512) 497-8276 for a free consultation for birth package and doula support.

Prenatal Massage

Massage is perfectly safe during all trimesters by practitioners with special training in prenatal massage. Once pregnancy is confirmed, Mom starts receiving all massage in supported side lying or supported on her back positions. Cutout tables should be avoided because it increases intrauterine pressure.

As Mom is moving through the 3 trimesters of pregnancy, her massage needs will shift. Typically, in the...

1st trimester

We can introduce you to new ideas and concepts in birth…

Integrative:
• recommend common herbs
• delve into color therapy and the multidimensional sensory
   system with Aura-Soma™ color oils
• take a look at waterbirth and using water in labor
• start designing intentions for your pregnancy

Bodywork:
• massage techniques to overcome fatigue and build
   energy
• massage for increased blood flow and lymph circulation
   to move oxygenated blood faster, help with
   iron deficiency anemia
• acupressure techniques for nausea
• utilize breathwork to facilitate physical, emotional,
   and energetic states of release
• Surya™ Bodywork

2nd trimester

We can facilitate birth visioning and planning…

Integrative:
• your pregnancy is becoming visible, we work with
   changing body image
• expand the breath more fully in what will soon
   become an increasingly cramped space
• explore aromatherapy
• revisit your own & your partner’s birth history
   to see if any patterns might emerge during your birth
• educate you in alternative pain relief mechanisms

Bodywork:
• massage for leg cramps, broad ligament
• gluteal counter pressure and massage for hip, leg,
   low back pain and referred pain from uterine ligaments
• leg mobilization with breathwork for pubic symphisis pain
• Surya™ Bodywork

3rd trimester

We can aid you and your birth team members in actively planning for your due date…

Integrative:
• assist in preparing your partner for the labor & delivery
• explore concerns and fears with both partners
• attend an obstetric visit and meet your physician/midwife
• work with your body image beliefs
• help you create affirmations for your birth
• entrain the mind with visualizations and meditations
• remind you of the signs of early labor

Bodywork:
• massage for sinus congestion, low back pain, sciatica
and fatigue
• abdominal massage to greet the baby and
for constipation
• lymph drainage for swelling of feet, lower extremities
• Ebb & Flow Integrationsm for headaches
• acupressure and reflexology for all physical concerns
• Surya™ Bodywork

Doula Support

We often come to the couple’s home for early labor support…

Integrative:
• consistent, continual support by a person other than
   your partner
• gives you more confidence and ability to cope with
   the process
• remain in your own secure environment
• Surya™ Bodywork & Vibrational Healing

Bodywork:
• meet the need for comforting touch
• allow partner & other family members to rest
   (if night labor) and give extended full body massage
   to mom between contractions

We accompany you to the hospital or birth center, or in some cases meet you there…

Integrative:
• reduce anxiety caused by fears, unfamiliar
surroundings, people
• continue to guide, coach & comfort you
• suggest position changes
• use of aromatherapy & Aura-Soma™ color oils
for sensory stimulation
• help Dad and other family members participate
• Surya™ Bodywork

Bodywork:
• counterpressure and massage techniques for pain
• hydrotherapy & use of water for pain
• if time allows, minor neck & shoulder rubs for partner

We commonly stay 1-2 hours following the birth…

Integrative:
• can help by taking photos to record the first moments
• support your privacy, or
• retrieve visitors from waiting area
• move you to the maternity ward, if needed
at your hospital
• initial tips on breastfeeding & latch-on

Bodywork:
• nerve strokes and combing strokes to relieve shakes
caused by oxytocin overload from birth

Postpartum massage (4th trimester)

We help you post-process your feelings of the events of the birth…

Integrative:
• what do you remember, what was important
• field questions about life as a new parent or refer
   you to other helpful sources

Bodywork:
• abdominal massage for abdomen and continued
   involution of the uterus
• massage for aching shoulders and upper back from
   carrying a new baby and from larger breasts due to
   breastfeeding and positioning
• leg mobilization and pelvic repositioning with breathwork
   for residual pain from birth tension and stresses

Infant Massage Instruction

We feel that for the most optimal bonding within the family, all massage on the baby should be done by direct family members.
Licensed caregivers may also be trained. Private in-home instruction with the baby and family members is arranged with all birth packages. I also teach free and low-cost classes at various locations around town.

For baby:
• stimulates circulation
• stimulates internal organs
• relieves gas and colic
• promotes sleep (for both the infant and parents)
• strengthens immune system
• faster weight gain
• deeper respiration
• increase endorphin output, decreasing pain and tension
   from rapid growth
• helps baby develop healthy body boundaries
• exercises the child and promotes body awareness
• touch enhances intellectual development,
   later reading scores and IQs

For parents:
• enhances Mom’s production of prolactin, which is
   essential for milk production and enhances success
   in breastfeeding
• parents become more proficient in nurturing abilities
• infant/parent bonding is strengthened
• opens a communication channel
• provides emotional fulfillment for the father by
   allowing him ways to offer physical and emotional
   support to the baby

Information on doula certification here.