Metro Detroit Doula Services

07/11/2025

Let's chat about one tool for comfort measures in labor, Massage + Counterpressure

This tool is available to everyone who has a support person, and/or doula with them. You don’t have to be a trained professional nor do you have to have a tennis ball ;)

Benefits:
-Can decrease pain
-Can shorten duration of labor *
-By reducing severe pain > can lead to reducing stress in the birthing person > can improve blood supply and oxygen levels to their baby
-Reduces stress and anxiety

*(per the study: Effect of Massage Therapy on Duration of Labour: A Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed)

If you like an extra tool for massage we recommend a Handheld Massage Ball Roller which you can find at places like Dick’s or online sites. Average price is $7-$25.

As you plan for birth ahead you can walk through all your coping options with your labor doula team and see what comfort measures feel right for you!

15/10/2025

What are my coping options?

Let's chat about one tool for comfort measures in labor, The Epidural

The US rate of epidural use is greater than 70% (source: Evidenced Base Birth) .

What would you say it actually is?
Basically, it is a tiny catheter placed into the spinal space that drips the medicine in to produce a loss of sensation in the abdomen and lower body. (The needle used for placement does not stay in. Phew!)

Many hospitals utilize a bolus for their patients. Boluses, most commonly controlled by the birthing person, are extra doses of the epidural medicine released when the button on the bolus device is hit. The use of an intermittent bolus has been noted to lead to better outcomes for those utilizing an epidural for pain relief.

Benefits:
-They are highly effective
-Blocks pain in the abdomen and lower body
-By reducing severe pain > can lead to reducing stress in the birthing person > can improve blood supply and oxygen levels to their baby
-May offer a time period for rest and even sleep
-May reduce blood pressure for folks that have high BP

Risks:
-Severe risks are extremely rare
-Can lower blood pressure (light headed or nausea symptoms)
-Heavy motor blockade- hard to move lower part of the body
-Increased risk of fever
-Longer pushing phase
-Feeling itchy
-Rare instances of spinal headache
-Temporary sore back
-Rare chance of it not working or taking fully

Check out more here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/epidural-during-labor-pain-management/

As you plan for birth ahead you can walk through all your coping options with your labor doula team and see what comfort measures feel right for you!

11/09/2025

Oh what a night!!!!

Last Thursday we celebrated as a team with family and friends for a huge MDDS milestone!! We are in double digits baby!

We had a pizza party and just enjoyed being with one another! Thanks to our wonderful team of doulas that bring joy to our clients’ lives (and ours too :) ), to all of the families of our doulas, to our families, and all who have supported our business along the way!

It means a lot to make it this far! And last week we paused, looked around, and took in all this team does for new parents ❤️ Thanks again to our team making MDDS all this it is!

Truly grateful,
Amy and Andrea xx

08/09/2025

September is NICU awareness month! Click below to share your story, read tributes, and recognize the amazing workers who give such extra care and support to our NICU families 💜 Thank you to all serving in the NICU department! 👏 Like Kindergarten teachers, you are special humans ✨

Express your gratitude for maternal and infant health providers by leaving a message on our Wall of Gratitude to recognize their lifesaving work for moms and babies.

04/09/2025

10 years ago these two friends came together and began building Metro Detroit Doula Services! Just a couple of mothers, strong women, and folk with a fire in their belly to improve the parenthood experience. Amy and Andrea are now part of a team of doulas supporting families in Detroit. Quite literally the best team of doulas in the biz if we do say so ourselves. 💅🏼. Boy has MDDS grown!

As a female owned small business we are super proud to celebrate 10 years!!!!

Today we will gather and celebrate our team and what this little business means to all of us. We seriously are forever grateful to each family that trusted us to be a part of their magical life moments. The good and the hard.

We never take it lightly that we get let into a family’s world for a short time and we hope we are able to reduce the stress and point out the joy 💗

Thanks to all the doulas who have been a part of MDDS’ journey through the years, and to all the clients we have had the honor to support 🥹

27/08/2025

Five years ago today we had a ribbon cutting 🥰

Today we are now 10 years old 🥹

30/07/2025

How will I know if he really loves me? OR in this case, how will I know when labor truly begins?

The media may have you think its a waterfall of amniotic fluid in the middle of a restaurant.... but water breaking to start labor is only roughly 10% of labors! The most common start to labor is feeling contractions.

To know the difference of the sensation of Braxton hicks, or spontaneous cramps, from true labor is: the pattern. Longer.....Stronger.....Closer together. That pattern of contractions is a labor pattern!!

Your doula can help remind you how to time them, note the pattern, and remind you of calming and distracting techniques. They can join you at home in the earlier stages and help you cope there. Even help you navigate that other looming question "When do we go to the hospital?!"

If you already have given birth comment with how you knew you were in labor! Was it contractions?!

23/06/2025

It’s time to finally reach out about joining our team!

We are a team of doulas that serve Metro Detroit- Oakland, Macomb, + Wayne counties and more!

We are looking for Certified Professional Postpartum Doulas to be a part of helping families thrive in the early parenthood time. Email us or fill out the form on our website under the “apply” tab. We want to get to know you and see if we are a good fit for you!

15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day to the those celebrating for their first year, and the seasoned dads too! May you have a day of love and celebration exactly how you need it 💓

29/05/2025

This Saturday is Pride 2025 in Ferndale!

This year MDDS is a sponsor and you can find Andrea and Amy at the hugging station at 1pm!

MDDS supports and celebrates families and doulas in the LGBTQIA+ community 💫 We love you and are showing our support at the Pride event this weekend!

11/05/2025

So proud of Andrea Altomaro, CNM of Henry Ford Midwives, for sharing her knowledge on this Mother’s Day segment this morning!

Pregnancy Brain is real….Watch now!

New research is showing how a mother's brain can change after giving birth and during pregnancy.

11/05/2025

May today be what you need. Whatever this day is meaning to you today, and however you’re choosing to spend it, we hope it fills your cup 💓

Love,
The Doulas

Special shout out to the moms reading this at the 2am feed ❤️