Esali Birth, a holistic perinatal education and doula support organization, will be using funds raised from the 2018 Esali Mother’s Day 5k to provide families of the Mid-Ohio Valley with free postpartum doula care. This continuation of postpartum care for a new mother allows her body time to heal helping to prevent postpartum mood disorders in mothers and fathers as well as time to reflect on the birth experience and move forward into early parenting with confidence. Families can apply for postpartum doula care by registering at http://www.esalibirth.com/postpartum-care-mov-program/ where arrangements can then be scheduled.
“The six weeks after birth are a critical time period for mom’s ability to establish breastfeeding, heal emotionally and physically from their birth experience, and transition into a new phase of motherhood. Most parents are not only left 24-48 hours after their birth to begin this new life transition on their own, but mothers are also routinely not being checked again by their provider until 6 weeks after the birth. Our culture often expects a family to quickly be back on their feet with house work and even out of the home jobs within weeks of birth,” says Danielle Bergum, Doula and Perinatal Mentor with Esali Birth.
Approximately 50 hours of postpartum doula care are available on a first-come first-service basis through Esali Birth for mothers in their three-month postpartum time period. Postpartum doula care can range from light house work and meal prep to breastfeeding support, babywearing guidance, and entertaining siblings while mom, and dad, rests and rejuvenates. Postpartum doula care is beneficial for women that have experienced both a normal vaginal birth as well as cesarean and pre-term birth or perinatal loss. At this time, postpartum doula care through this program is limited per family; however, families can schedule addition postpartum care through standard doula services as desired.
Esali Birth provides education, doula support, and full mentoring to families in the Mid-Ohio Valley and online. Esali Birth seeks to enhance the knowledge of options available to childbearing families as well as the human rights individuals have during birth and beyond. Empowering parents to make informed decisions about their health and well-being is our focus through confidence-building education, awareness and support.
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If you would like more information about the Esali Birth Postpartum Doula Care Program, please contact Danielle Bergum at 304-482-4729 or email at mdbergum@esalibirth.com.
Families in the Mid-Ohio Valley supported over 200 competitors in Esali Birth's 10th annual Mother's Day 5k and many more in the River City Kids race that followed.
Proceeds from the 5k help to support Esali Birth's mission in the Mid-Ohio Valley through workshops and outreach. The 2017 esali5k helped to fund the Esali Birth Pregnancy Bags for expecting mothers in the MOV. We are looking forward to seeing where the 2018 race will allow us to help the most.
We are so thankful for the participants, volunteers, and sponsors that make this happen - we absolutely could not do this without the people behind the event!
It is always a joy to see so many families, babies in strollers and carriers, children running and walking alongside their families, and their support team cheering them on and helping raise awareness for Happy Healthy Birth and Breastfeeding throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
What do we know about Happy Healthy Birth in the MOV?
Until 2017, West Virginia had ZERO Baby-Friendly hospitals. O'bleness is the closest Baby-Friendly hospital to the Mid-Ohio Valley. The Baby-Friendly designation means a hospital has followed steps to support things like skin-to-skin care immediately after birth and other factors like qualified breastfeeding support to help with breastfeeding outcomes. Did you know? Parent companies of formula companies are the ones that make hospital machinery like X-Ray and MRI machines. When hospitals give out free formula from those child companies, they will receive kickbacks for other areas of the hospital. Some hospitals refuse to give up this part of the Baby-Friendly requirements to avoid losing those kick-backs. The Mid-Ohio Valley doesn't have any Baby-Friendly Certified hospitals.
As of 2013, CCMH had a 40% cesarean rate. ALMOST HALF of women stepping into this hospital for childbirth are having surgical births; most, of which, could be prevented. Half of these were primary cesareans and half were repeat cesareans. In the past ten years, this rate has increased significantly. Did you know the World Health Organization considers a cesarean rate between 10-15% ideal and states, "Two new HRP studies show that when caesarean section rates rise towards 10% across a population, the number of maternal and newborn deaths decreases. When the rate goes above 10%, there is no evidence that mortality rates improve."
Marietta Memorial Hospital has an official VBAC ban - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean is refused. This not only means they will refuse to grant the request of a mother to labor without resistance if she has had a previous cesarean, but also that they will exhaust all means of a mother laboring that has never had a cesarean (but that may need a cesarean) to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a cesarean was the last resort to support their VBAC ban. Sounds ideal at first, except when interventions and risks are unnecessarily increased in the process.
Some birth locations are changing their policies to support parent's wishes as well as improve skin-to-skin time after birth and connection during the first few days postpartum. Some are not. The most important thing to remember is that knowledge is power. By learning about ALL your options and getting connected with your holistic resources throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley, you can make better informed decisions for a more well-rounded confident birth.
Home birth (including VBAC (or HBAC), twin birth, and breech birth) is a well supported option in and surrounding the Mid-Ohio Valley. You can find some providers that offer these services by checking out the MOV Birth Workers page.
The MOV Breastfeeding, Birth, and Parenting Social is similar to La Leche League - though in addition to breastfeeding education and support for moms and their support system, we also enjoy birth and early parenting education and support. Come say hello from pregnancy through early parenting on the 4th Saturday of every month (except December).
Doula care prenatally, during labor, and postpartum is known world-wide to support mother's experiences including supporting spontaneous labor, biological breastfeeding, and postpartum healing, but also providing families with the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions no matter where they birth or what decisions need to be made through the perinatal period. The Mid-Ohio Valley is now thriving with doulas and perinatal mentors. All a family has to do is a simple internet search and holistic care is at your fingertips, including through #MOVdoula right here on Esali Birth. Learn more about what a doula does from pregnancy (or pre-conception) through postpartum including supporting unassisted births, supported at home births, birth centers, hospitals, medicated births, 42+ week births, home birth transfers, preterm births, breech birth, twin birth, cesarean birth, assisted birth, birth plans, no birth plans, change your birth plans, and #ALLthebirths in between. A doula supports YOU.
Want to know more of the ins and outs of Happy Healthy Birth in the Mid-Ohio Valley? Schedule some mentoring, take a birth class, find a doula, and let's chat about all the holistic support options you have available to you right here in the MOV.
Wow, what a day! Such beautiful weather and so many out enjoying the race for SO MANY wonderful reasons. I LOVE hearing WHY people attend our race... not just because they're racing - but because they're racing FOR someone... or with someone... or for many people. The stories are always a great part of being involved with the race. Here are the results - hope you enjoyed your day!
Thank you again to all our sponsors, especially Kraton of Belpre, OH and Star Plastics of Ravenswood, WV!!!
Thank you soooo much to our volunteers and everyone that supported us today!
Why were you racing (or supporting) today at the 9th annual #esali5k?
PRESS RELEASE - Ravenswood, WV - March 24, 2017 – Esali Birth to host 9th Annual Mother’s Day 5k in Belpre, OH on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14th at the Civitan Park. The MD5k is a stroller-friendly beginner’s level course with walker and runner categories, along the Ohio River and is part of the River City Walkers and Runners club summer series. Registration, $15 per participant, is available Saturday, May 13th from 5pm-7pm at Shelter #1 at Belpre Civitan Park. T-shirts are limited. Race Day registration is $20 per participant, from 12:30-1:45 with the 5k beginning at 2:00 pm EST. Free kids races for ages 11 and under will follow, directed by the River City Kids organization.
Proceeds from the race support community education and support events as well as education and progress of healthy and happy births throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and surrounding regions. Breastfeeding rates throughout West Virginia are some of the lowest in the country. Families do not know all of their options regarding birth, and are not fully supported to birth in all environments including at home where studies have shown, for healthy mothers, home birth is as safe as, often with less intervention, as hospital birth.
“This fundraiser is a crucial part of Esali Birth’s free workshops and outreach, such as the monthly MOV Breastfeeding Social, that provide educational and supportive opportunities for families of childbearing age. Adequate knowledge of breastfeeding and the support to do so is imperative for continued breastfeeding success. Likewise, healthier births and breastfeeding basics allow longer breastfeeding relationships which affect the continued health of the mother, baby, and community,” says Esali Birth owner and Perinatal Mentor, Danielle Bergum.
Esali Birth’s MD5k started as a World Breastfeeding Week celebration in 2009 supporting La Leche League. As LLL stopped their WBW celebrations, the race transitioned to fully supporting the Mid-Ohio Valley. In previous years, proceeds have been utilized for WV RN continuing education opportunities to enhance knowledge of early tongue tie (ankyloglossia) influences on breastfeeding success, training for area birth professionals for advanced techniques in labor support, and enhancement of educational resources for expecting families. Esali Birth plans to utilize 2017 proceeds for similar opportunities in the coming year to enhance the well-being of childbearing families and increase support options throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Esali Birth provides education, doula support, and full mentoring to families in the Mid-Ohio Valley and online. Esali Birth seeks to enhance the knowledge of options available to childbearing families as well as the human rights individuals have during birth and beyond. Empowering parents to make informed decisions about their health and well-being is our focus through confidence-building education, awareness and support.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Danielle Bergum at 304.482.4729 or email mdbergum@esalibirth.com.
Well, hello there! While we've seen a lot from each other through "Esali Birth," I wanted to take a moment to say a personal hello from me, Danielle from the Mid-Ohio Valley, and share a basic service and price list for all of you looking for perinatal support through the childbearing years in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
If you're new to Esali Birth you may not know my story which I love sharing throughout the many times we may meet on your journey. Mostly, I am a modern gal living in rural WV that loves to intertwine instinctual, historical, knowledge with only the most beneficial parts of our modern world. I wear many hats in my family and life and love the diversified options I have in this beautiful world. I also love supporting families during the childbearing years from the most basic loving hug to the scientific ins and outs of childbirth. Whatever you need in this moment is what I strive to provide. Sometimes that is advice, sometimes it is research, sometimes it is nutritional guidance, and it is always understanding of your personal journey which is ever changing.
My services range from pre-conception counseling to childbirth education and doula support. I have a variety of herbal blends available and custom blends that can be created for your specific needs from soothing foot soaks and beverage tea blends to body balancing while transitioning from medicinal birth control and perinatal support. See my service menu below for a basic list of options in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
While I do require services be paid in full, I provide my NPI number and guidance for my clients to submit claims to their insurance to help cover doula education and support fees upon request.
Want to learn more? See me chat with Marilee Marrow on Moms Everyday and visit my Support Page. Find me on Skype @esalibirth for my online [free] "Office Hours."
The Esali Birth Perinatal Mentor Doula Package is an excellent option for:
First-Time Mothers
VBAC Mothers
Families searching for guidance and information
Mothers with more than 4 weeks before their estimated birth time
Families with basic to limited knowledge of birth physiology and the birth industry
Families undecided of birth location and/or care provider
Families planning a birth center or hospital birth
Mothers with previous birth or life trauma
Mothers fearful of birth trauma, pain, manipulation and coercion from care providers and birth facilities
Mothers timid or shy with new experiences, people, and/or places
Mothers experiencing a high stress pregnancy or life situation
Keep in mind that doula packages are based on your personal needs and are more specifically discussed during consultations and as we lay out our doula-client agreement. Prices are estimates and add-on options are available.
As a perinatal mentor, I provide you with thorough education and support and nurture a connected relationship over the course of your pregnancy which enhances my ability to support you and your family through a trusted relationship. A comprehensively holistic birth class with Esali Birth ensures you have the information that is the most helpful to achieving a happy healthy birth in whatever environment you choose and makes sure we're on the same page with what routines may be presented to you that may or may not match your personal birth philosophy. I come to you during labor whenever you desire my presence, whether that be at home or your desired birth location. If you're preparing for a home birth and transfer is needed or desired, I will transfer with you.
20 hours birth mentoring sessions (a full birth series or private custom Q&A and mentoring - locally and/or online)
Access to the complete online self-paced perinatal Esali Birth Class until you birth your baby
Attendance at prenatal appointments and/or prenatal support at your home for optimal fetal positioning and alignment, birth counseling and general prenatal support (amount is determined by you)
Full labor support until first breastfeeding latch and you're ready for private family bonding (with guidance on gentle latch techniques and what to look for over the first few days)
Birth photography with all digital files and printing rights (limited - your support will be the first priority)
Postpartum visit for birth counseling, breastfeeding support, and postpartum care within the first 1-2 weeks after the birth
Unlimited messaging and phone support
Price Approximates:
Home Birth - $1500
Hospital or Birth Center - $1750
The final cost of this packaged is based on the specifics of your desires for support including the number of prenatal appointments you desire, your birth location and if you are a former doula client.
Doula packages are based on your personal needs and are more specifically discussed during consultations and as we lay out our doula-client agreement. The following are basic options with various add-on services available.
I accept approximately 3 clients per month. My radius for labor and birth is within approximately 1.5 hours of zip 26164.
I provide doula support for:
Home Birth
Hospital Birth
Unassisted Birth
Medicated Birth
Cesarean Birth
Parkersburg, Marietta, Athens, Charleston, & Bridgeport and surrounding areas
CCMH
MMH
UHC
CAMC
Teays Valley Birth Center
Whatever kind of birth you're having, wherever that may end up
Locations beyond those listed are available, just ask! Mentoring and classes are held online as well as Ravenswood or Parkersburg or in your home.
Financial Arrangements
A deposit is required upon signing an agreement to secure your birth time in my schedule. Payments are then made according to the schedule outlined in our agreement. Gift Certificates are available and doula support is an excellent item to add to your gift registry.
Perinatal education and doula support is a holistic investment for you, your baby, and your family. Studies show doula-attended births result in more spontaneous births, lower intervention rates, better breastfeeding rates, and happier families both from education received, awareness of options, and continuous care from a trusted ally. Your birth will change your life whether you plan for that or not. Education and adequate support can be an immense preventative measure for the health and happiness of you, your baby, and your family's future whether that's by improving your birth experience and/or improving your ability to enjoy and understand your birth experience. Many insurance companies will reimburse for doula services and you're encouraged to submit a claim. Though I do not submit claims, I do have an NPI number and provide submission information for clients.
Insurance Reimbursement
My doula services, including antenatal doula mentoring, labor doula, and postpartum doula care may be reimbursable by your insurance company. Fees are required to be paid in full and you must submit your own claims; however, I will provide my NPI number and supporting information to help you with your claim submission. In many cases, a well-written letter explaining how you believe doula support reduced costs for your birth, as well as persistence, will provide you with a reimbursement. Please contact for any questions.
The Esali Birth Labor Doula Package is a great option for:
Repeat Clients
Mothers at, or further along than, 36 weeks gestation
Mothers that have previously completed an Esali Birth 6 or 10-week birth series
Families wanting to add just a few mentoring sessions to their doula care instead of a full series
Mothers well researched in the birth industry and confident in birth physiology
Families well supported by their chosen birth location and care provider
Keep in mind that doula packages are based on your personal needs and are more specifically discussed during consultations and as we lay out our doula-client agreement. Prices are estimates and add-on options are available.
Esali Birth Labor Doula Package Description
As a labor doula, I come to you during labor whenever you desire my presence, whether that be at home or your desired birth location. If you're preparing for a home birth and transfer is needed or desired, I will transfer with you.
Attendance at 1 prenatal appointment (depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy)
Access to the online Labor & Birth Overview until you birth your baby
Full labor support until first breastfeeding latch and you're ready for family bonding (with guidance on gentle latch techniques and what to look for over the first few days)
Birth photography with all digital files and printing rights (limited - your support will be the first priority)
Postpartum visit for birth counseling, breastfeeding support, and postpartum care (within the first 1-2 weeks after the birth)
Unlimited messaging and phone support
Price Approximates:
Home Birth - $750 +/-
Hospital or Birth Center - $1000 +/-
The final cost of this packaged is based on the specifics of your desires for support, if you would like to opt out of or add services, your birth location and if you are a former doula client. Some clients do not wish to receive the thorough care I typically recommend, and some clients choose additional options.
Doula packages are based on your personal needs and are more specifically discussed during consultations and as we lay out our doula-client agreement. The following are basic options with various add-on services available.
I accept approximately 3 clients per month. My radius for labor and birth is within approximately 1.5 hours of zip 26164.
I provide doula support for:
Home Birth
Hospital Birth
Unassisted Birth
Medicated Birth
Cesarean Birth
Parkersburg, Marietta, Athens, Charleston, & Bridgeport and surrounding areas
CCMH
MMH
UHC
CAMC
Teays Valley Birth Center
Whatever kind of birth you're having, wherever that may end up
Locations beyond those listed are available, just ask! Mentoring and classes are held online as well as Ravenswood or Parkersburg or in your home.
Financial Arrangements
A deposit is required upon signing an agreement to secure your birth time in my schedule. Payments are then made according to the schedule outlined in our agreement. Gift Certificates are available and doula support is an excellent item to add to your gift registry.
Perinatal education and doula support is a holistic investment for you, your baby, and your family. Studies show doula-attended births result in more spontaneous births, lower intervention rates, better breastfeeding rates, and happier families both from education received, awareness of options, and continuous care from a trusted ally. Your birth will change your life whether you plan for that or not. Education and adequate support can be an immense preventative measure for the health and happiness of you, your baby, and your family's future whether that's by improving your birth experience and/or improving your ability to enjoy and understand your birth experience. Many insurance companies will reimburse for doula services and you're encouraged to submit a claim. Though I do not submit claims, I do have an NPI number and provide submission information for clients.
Insurance Reimbursement
My doula services, including antenatal doula mentoring, labor doula, and postpartum doula care may be reimbursable by your insurance company. Fees are required to be paid in full and you must submit your own claims; however, I will provide my NPI number and supporting information to help you with your claim submission. In many cases, a well-written letter explaining how you believe doula support reduced costs for your birth, as well as persistence, will provide you with a reimbursement. Please contact for any questions.
Placenta preparation provides you with a variety of options for processing your placenta for short and long-term use including placenta encapsulation, placenta smoothies, placenta tinctures and more.
Consuming your placenta provides you with:
Adrenaline
Oxytocin
Progesterone
Iron
Protein
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
For many mothers, placenta consumption helps:
Prevent Postpartum Depression
Remedy Postpartum Depression
Increase Milk Supply
Increase Energy Levels
Placenta Preparation includes taking your placenta home after doula care, or coming to your house within the first week after birth for processing and basic postpartum care. For most preparation, the placenta is tinctured or powdered for encapsulation (using traditional, steaming, methods).
Due to the high amounts of adrenaline in the placenta, and many options to improve milk supply and prevent/remedy postpartum depression, all mothers interested in placentophagy should read THIS POST that covers the known pros and cons of placenta consumption as well as how to process your own placenta to help you best decide if this service is right for you.
Prior to birth, learn to process your own placenta with a variety of methods. We will cover the aspects of choosing placenta consumption, cover the supply lists & help you pre-order anything you may need, and educate about various methods of placenta preparation in the comfort of your own home.
*These sessions are best scheduled at least 4 weeks prior to your 40 week date in case any additional herbs need ordered (from quality sources) or oils need to begin infusion.
Basic Placenta Prep
$350
Cord Keepsake
Placenta Print
Raw Placenta Fruit & Herb Smoothie
Small amount of raw placenta for consumption during processing
Powder (with encapsulation) OR Tincture
Full Placenta Prep
$400
Cord Keepsake
Placenta Print
Raw Placenta Fruit & Herb Smoothie
Small amount of raw placenta for consumption during processing
Powder (with encapsulation)
Tincture
Add-ons
The following options can be added to your powder or tincture, or can be made from the powders created during processes.
+$25 - Esali Thrive *Herbal Powders
+$25 - Placenta Truffles
+$25 - *Herbal Placenta Salve - 1 oz.
Contact for custom herbal blends
*Herbal add on options require 3-4 weeks to purchase herbs, so may not be available for last minute placenta preparation clients. Please contact with any questions.
How Placenta Preparation Works
How do I get the placenta to you?
If you are a labor doula client, I will take your placenta home with me after your birth (if in a hospital) or begin processing immediately (for home birth). I will make you a raw placenta smoothie immediately, depending on your birth location.
If you are not a labor doula client, you will take 2 zipper gallon sized bags + a small cooler with ice packs with you to your birth. You will place your placenta (with the cord) in one of the gallon bags, seal that up, and then place that inside the other gallon bag and seal that up. Place that in the cooler and have someone take this home to their refrigerator immediately. (Many birth locations will also store your placenta in their refrigerator until you go home, just ask). You will call me sometime after your birth to schedule time for processing. (A heads up during labor is helpful, but not necessary).
How is the placenta processed?
For most processing, this is done in your home, though I provide all the equipment and ingredients. The placenta, membranes, and cord are rinsed under cool water. We make a print (on water color paper) with the placenta and the cord as a "Tree of Life" keepsake. The cord is cut and shaped for dehydrating as a keepsake as well.
For tincturing, the placenta is diced and placed into glass jars and covered with brandy (or liquor of your choice - 80-100 proof). Herbs can be added at this time. This can remain with you and in two weeks you can start consuming. Typically, however, I bring the jars home with me to complete the two week processing, strain, and bottle into dropper bottles then shipped back to you.
For powdering, the placenta is sliced (then typically steamed), and then dehydrated over the next 24 hours. I then come back the following day and the dehydrated placenta is powdered to sprinkle in yogurt or make in to truffles or energy balls or can be encapsulated which is completed at that time. If salves are to be made, some of the powder will come home with me to finish the salves and then shipped back to you when complete which can take 1-2 weeks.
Insurance Reimbursement
My doula services, including antenatal doula mentoring, labor doula, and postpartum doula care may be reimbursable by your insurance company. Fees are required to be paid in full and you must submit your own claims; however, I will provide my NPI number and supporting information to help you with your claim submission. In many cases, a well-written letter explaining how you believe doula support reduced costs for your birth, as well as persistence, will provide you with a reimbursement. Please contact for any questions.
