You deserve to feel great about your pregnancy and birth!
The childbearing year is so exciting, but it can be a little overwhelming sometimes. Right now you might be feeling like there's a lot of information to absorb about best practices for pregnancy and birth. All it takes is one simple web search to fall down the rabbit hole of pregnancy dos and don'ts, scary birth stories and parenting "gurus" giving you advice you didn't ask for. Everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing, and most of the time it's completely different than what everyone else said!
So, when there's no "right" way to do things, and you're feeling stressed out before the baby is even here, what's a new parent supposed to do?
Assemble your team, get educated, and trust your gut.
My name is Vanessa, and I believe in you!
I started Paper Crane Birth Services because I am committed to the elimination of self-doubt in birthing families. I pride myself in facilitating a safe space for my clients to ask questions and learn about their options during the childbearing year and beyond. I combine my empathetic nature with my skill for organization and research to create a calm, stable environment for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My ultimate goal is for my clients to feel prepared, supported, and confident on their path to parenthood! I achieve this goal in two ways: engaging childbirth education and birth support according to your individual needs and preferences.
all are welcome here.
What’s with the paper crane?
Many people ask where I came up with the name for Paper Crane Birth Services. You can read the whole story at my blog, but here’s the quick version: Years ago, a musician I've loved since adolescence released an album using imagery of a paper crane as a metaphor for life. This metaphor resonated so deeply with me that I got a tattoo of the paper crane from the artwork on that album, and when I started my business, Paper Crane Birth Services was instantly the name I was drawn to. The musician does a much better job of explaining it, but here’s my not-as-poetic version:
When you're doing origami, every fold you make in the paper, even the imperfect ones, helps form delicate, beautiful piece of art. This is just like life - every experience, event, milestone, and memory helps shape you into who you are. I think of pregnancy and birth as one of the many “folds” that helps turn us into who we are - it certainly is one of the most transformative life experiences a human can have! It's a privilege to be a witness to these transformations and carry these memories with me. Please read more about the services I offer below. I want to help you figure out your goals for pregnancy and birth and give you the support you need to achieve them.
Have questions? Let's chat!
If you're ready to work together, or you'd like to learn more about me or my services, let's schedule your free consultation!
What kind of support do you need?
Upbeat, custom classes designed to fit your needs.
Physical, emotional, and informational throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth.
Testimonials, Ratings, and Reviews
"Within minutes of meeting Vanessa, it's abundantly clear that she is kind, intelligent, and empathetic. One of my favorite things about Paper Crane is that there's zero judgment about what kind of birth a mother is having, be it a planned Cesarean or a home birth. Vanessa is knowledgable and welcoming, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to any of my friends. If you are on the hunt for a doula, go meet this wonderful woman!”
From Kaitrin A.
"It was such a relief - throughout the whole pregnancy - knowing you would be there to answer questions, support us, and keep us calm and relaxed no matter what came our way!"
From Jennifer O.
Class formats to fit your schedule
Comprehensive 4-week course $400
Includes the full topic list, according to client’s needs. Held privately in your home, over video conferencing, or at one of my shared office locations.
Express “Birth Basics” course $100
An overview of pregnancy, labor, and birth, geared towards birthing in a hospital setting. Private, or through Birth Tribe in New Britain and New Haven.
Advanced Comfort Measures course $125
A hands-on class to learn massage techniques from a LMT and comfort techniques used by doulas with their clients. Through Birth Tribe in New Britain and New Haven.
New on the paper crane blog
PAIN IN CHILDBIRTH SERIES: Pain Threshold vs. Pain Tolerance #BITESIZEDBIRTHCLASS
It’s time for #BiteSizedBirthClass, where each week I give you a little taste of the topics I cover in my childbirth education series. We are going to start off with the concept of PAIN in labor and birth. It’s the first thing everyone…
You Cannot Spoil a Newborn!
birth work · breastfeeding · doula life · informed choice · motherhood · newborns · parenting · postpartum period · resources
Something happened today that really got under my skin. Read on to hear the story.
World Breastfeeding Week 2018: Reflections on My Experience
motherhood · newborns · postpartum period · breastfeeding · personal
In light of World Breastfeeding Week, I thought I'd try something new and get a little personal and share what my breastfeeding experience was like. I know it's possible that I might catch some heat for this - whatever. My main hope is…