Cheryl Orengo, BS, ICCE, CD(DONA)

Birth Doula Services   Hello, my name is Cheryl Orengo  and I want to see babies brought into the world in a safe but peaceful manner and to support and empower parents so that they can create a peaceful and loving family environment!  I have been supporting women in labor as a doula for 20 years, have taught childbirth and parenting education classes for 23 years and began work as a DONA approved doula trainer in 2000 after being formally trained as a doula and doula trainer by Penny Simkin, author, doula, childbirth educator and DONA founder.  I took early retirement in January 2007, after a 30 year career in public health education, started my own birth and postpartum doula business and I volunteer as the DONA NC State Rep.  I am an ICEA certified childbirth educator and teach childbirth education for Mission Hospital and I am a founder and active member of DAMA and the current President elect.  My husband and I have been married for 31years and have two daughters.    Having a doula for your birth lifts the sole responsibility of labor off the shoulders of the birth partner, allowing him or her to participate at their own level and enjoy the entire birth process.  As your doula I often work as a consultant to help the birth partner feel calm and informed and provide ideas and techniques to better enable his or her support.  At no time will I, as doula, “take over” or exclude the birth partner.  I am there to support the laboring woman and her partner at all times.  Sometimes a partner likes to stay by the Mom's side during the entire labor while others prefer to take an occasional break.  I will draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication to make sure my doula clients are as comfortable as possible and have the information they need to understand medical issues when they arise.  I also work side by side with a client's medical team to meet the varying needs of a woman in labor.     My goals for each of my clients:  A healthy baby, the most joyous birth possible in order to have a positive memory of the birth and the most peaceful postpartum possible.  I have worked with Asheville area families providing labor support for 20 years.   I provide the following for my doula clients: A free one hour personal interview so we can get to know each other A 2 hour prenatal meeting to learn exactly what you want during your labor, birth and postpartum A 2 hour practice of labor comfort measures At least one additional meeting as necessary with the expectant mother to discuss fears and concerns Phone calls and emails to check in until the "birth-day". Continuous labor and birth attendance, including a minimum of 1 hour postpartum. Lending library of books, videos and DVD's about labor, birth, newborn care and postpartum An online digital photo album for a record of your labor and birth memories (photos are carefully taken during the labor and birth process) A TENS unit for back pain and the use of homeopathics available for labor and birth (if desired) 6 hours of postpartum doula care.  Additional hours may be added for an extra fee My fee is $450.00 for the above package and the fee is paid in three payments. Because I spend so much time with my clients before labor, during labor and after birth and the cost of gas and car maintenance has risen substantially, I add an additional fee of $50.00 for those who live more than 30 minutes from my home. I OFFER A SLIDING FEE SCALE BASED ON INCOME AND NEED. I am happy to talk about your need for a reduced fee (or donation if you have medicaid).   For an additional fee of $100 I can provide a childbirth class in the privacy of your home with two - 3.5 hour sessions. My clients can also attend the childbirth education series I teach for Mission Hospital.   Birth doulas schedule a couple of months in advance so it is important to decide on a doula for your birth as soon as possible.  Give me a call to check on my availability at 828-258-3327 or send me an email from the contact page.  You were available any time that I had questions or concerns before Kayli’s birth and were easy to reach once I went into labor. I was so happy to see you at the desk of the hospital. You guided me through each step of the way, from getting to the right place in the hospital, to helping me vocalize during transition, and finally until baby and I were comfortably resting on the Mom & Baby floor. Having you at the birth helped me to relax and just let the birthing process unfold. Your coaching about vocalizations was vital to making my daughter's birth the “perfect birth”.  I recommend your birth and post-partum doula services to all women without any reservation.  Hire Cheryl Orengo it's the best gift you can give yourself and your baby!  - DT     Postpartum Doula Services   The postpartum period is a time of joy, a time of extreme change and a time of exhaustion for family with a new baby. By making a plan, developing a vision and having adequate support new parents may be better able to take care of themselves.  I have 22 years of experience as a parenting educator, I raised two daughters, I completed a 24 hour DONA postpartum doula training and will assist new parents during the "fourth trimester", (the first 3 months after birth). With over 2 years of experience providing postpartum doula support I have worked with many new families in Western North Carolina and can provide references.  Please call to check on my availability for postpartum doula support.   If you have already asked me to be your birth doula I will provide 6 postpartum hours as part of my “doula package” and then if you choose to have additional hours I will offer my services on a per hour basis (listed below).      First time parents, parents of multiples (see information at the bottom of the page), parents whose family lives far away, mother’s who have had a cesarean or any parents adding a new baby to their family can benefit from postpartum doula services.  The following is a list of the things that I can provide as your postpartum doula: Process your birth experience with you Set up breastfeeding and changing stations Assist with baby equipment ie. slings, baby wraps and pumps- I can show you how to put your baby in a wrap and still have two hands to do what you need. Answer questions about newborns! Provide support for breastfeeding and baby care- sometimes baby's are very fussy and want to nurse constantly because they are having a growth spurt! Provide emotional support. Do some of your household chores such as the dishes, cleaning the kitchen, organizing your closets or baby things, change your bed, make the beds, fix you a nourishing meal all while holding your new baby in my wrap so that you can take a long shower, bath or nap or spend more time with your older child. Preparation of various recipes which I can provide for you to choose from including: vegetarian, vegan, wheat free, dairy free and meat dishes or I can prepare your own favorite recipes. A lending library of books, DVDs and Videos about your baby and I can even loan you a baby wrap to try out! I can shop for your groceries Run errands or stay with the baby while you do some errands I can wash and fold laundry Take care of pets and gardens--I will even walk your dog! I can give Mom and Partner alone time- ie. hold your baby while you have a quiet meal together Provide area resources and/or referrals Help parents with sibling adjustment Provide assistance with older children so Mom (or both parents) can spend time with the new baby. Postpartum doulas are not nanny's or housekeepers and we can't perform medical tasks or diagnose medical conditions. However, postpartum doulas are trained to provide much needed assistance (as listed above) so that new parents find life easier with their new baby for the first few months.  We also provide parents with referrals so that they can seek appropriate medical care if needed.   If you desire postpartum doula care my "package" of services is available as follows: One free prenatal visit to decide what your needs are Postpartum doula services during the third trimester for mother's of multiples and the "fourth" trimester (3 mo. after birth) for everyone else. I can provide postpartum services 1-4 times per week, Monday through Friday, in the morning or afternoon for:  2 to 4 hour sessions (3-4 hour sessions if you live over 30 minutes away) Sessions are scheduled between 9am and 12 noon or between 1pm and 5pm I can work for you one day a week or up to four in order to provide the support and respite that you need. My fees are- $15-$25 per hour based on a sliding fee scale and/or services provided.  For clients who live more than 30min. from my home the highest fee will be required per hour.    Scholarships are available for women who live in Buncombe County, have Medicaid and are in need of postpartum support.   For multiples: Doulas can work as a team to provide total postpartum service to parents of multiples or I can provide respite alone so you can take a break, a nap or have a nice hot meal.    I highly recommend that you join the WNC Mother's of Multiples.   Mother's of Multiples mission: Support mothers of multiples from birth throughout all stages of development of their children Provide a social network Supply clothing and other items as an exchange for members Assist less fortunate families of multiples Thank you for your support and help as a post-partum Doula after my daughter's birth. Your willingness to do just about anything to help out was amazing. From grocery shopping, to cooking, cleaning, and even planting herbs in my garden, your hard work helped my family to enjoy our new baby in her first few weeks and let the world just pass us by. I recommend your birth and post-partum doula services to all women without any reservation. Hire Cheryl Orengo! It’s the best gift you can give yourself and your baby. - DT