A Hand to Hold doula services offers birth coach and childbirth education services to mommies to be. Serving Northeast Florida, Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and Southeast Georgia, Camden County
A Hand to Hold doula services offers birth coach and childbirth education services to mommies to be. Serving Northeast Florida, Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and Southeast Georgia, Camden County
A Hand to Hold doula services offers birth coach and childbirth education services to mommies to be. Serving Northeast Florida, Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and Southeast Georgia, Camden County
A Hand to Hold doula services offers birth coach and childbirth education services to mommies to be. Serving Northeast Florida, Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and Southeast Georgia, Camden County
What is a doula?
“The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.” – DONA International
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A doula is a specially trained woman who accompanies a woman and/or couple during labor to provide educational, emotional and physical support. Our continuous, knowledgeable, and reassuring presence makes a dramatic difference on how confident and comfortable a woman feels during labor and birth.

​Benefits of having a trained birth doula include:
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Shorter length of labor
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Less use or request for pain medications
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Less inductions and augmentations of labor
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Fewer assisted deliveries
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Lower Cesarean rate
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Increase in successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
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Doula support has been linked to better parenting and higher satisfaction with outcome of the birth in general
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Empowerment of the couple about making choices for their well-being
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Higher satisfaction of their personal accomplishments during labor
*Gift Certificates available*
Makes a great shower gift!!
"Rebecca, you truly helped make Dominic's big entrance very special. You will never know how much I appreciated you being there to help not only Anais, but me too. I do not know what I would have done without you there!" ~ Beau J.
Rebecca McKinney CD(DONA)
​First and foremost I am a mother. I truly believe that there is no greater gift in life for a woman than her ability to create life. By nature, I am a caretaker and an advocate. Because of these attributes, the transition to becoming a mother for me was an easy one. After going through my own personal journey of becoming pregnant and giving birth, I realized how relevant and powerful a woman can be when mentally and emotionally prepared for this most life changing moment. Through the encouragement of my husband and close friends, I have chosen this path toward becoming a certified doula. I actually feel like I have been on this path all along.

I am passionate about supporting women during this intense and transforming experience. I understand that a woman's past experiences, expectations, and preparations for the birth process all affect her experience. I believe in respecting women's choices, and giving them all the tools necessary to make the most informed and best decision for themselves. As a birth doula, I am there to help guide you through preparing for your desired birth, encourage and assist you during labor, as well as help you adjust to unexpected situations should they arise. I am there to help maintain an environment where your privacy, autonomy and emotional security is protected, and your mobility is encouraged. It is my goal that you have a positive and empowering birth experience, feeling validated and supported.
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Should you choose my services, I am honored to be a part of your family's birth. It is an experience for me that is equally inspiring and humbling.

I am currently certified through DONA International. The Birth Doula Certification process for DONA includes extensive reading, birth doula classes, and for me to abide by HIPAA laws and DONA International's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. For more information on DONA International you can visit their website.
Rebecca is a proud member of the Amelia Island ~ Fernandina Beach ~ Yulee Chamber of Commerce.
Qualifications
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DONA Certified Birth Doula
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HypnoBirthing® Certified Educator
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Full Circle Trained Placenta Encapsulator
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Biologix Bloodborne Pathogens Certified
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Servsafe Florida Food Safety Handler Certified
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Healthy Children Project Lactation Counselor
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Trained in The JJ Way® - Childbirth Education
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Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certified - AAP
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CPR certified - American Heart Association
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Spinning Babies® Trained
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Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator (Provisional)
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Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Trained
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Kinesiology for Pregnancy Trained
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Attached at the Heart Parent Educator
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Trained in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders by Baptist Health