THE DOULA

Sharita R. Thomas, MPP, CD(DONA) is a dedicated public health researcher and advocate for health equity. This dedication led her to deeper community-focused work and a desire to serve as a doula. In November, 2022, Sharita received DONA birth doula training and in August 2023, she received DONA postpartum training. Additionally, Sharita is CPR/AED (including for infants to small children) certified. She launched Delivering Goodness Doula, LLC in 2022 to better serve and advocate on behalf of birthing persons.

Now a certified birth doula (DONA), Sharita is committed to providing pre-natal, birth, and postpartum support for birthing persons. She considers herself well equipped to meet the needs for Black birthing persons, birthing POCs, and birthing persons identifying along the LGBTQ+ gradient. If you see a doula within your vision for an ideal birth journey, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Sharita is currently serving clients in Delaware, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

* Currently, birth doula services are offered on a sliding scale with a $1200 birth fee ceiling for essential services. Postpartum services are offered on a sliding scale up to $65/hour or $75/hour for overnights. I also have room to take clients on short notice!

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DOULA PHILOSOPHY

Dedicated to Delivering your Ideal Birth Situation

A Delivering Goodness Doula works to understand and deliver your ideal birthing situation. This is accomplished through:

Education - It is my duty to be knowledgeable about the lifecourse of birth, birth supportive measures, and state perinatal health policies. As such, I can serve as an advocate for your ideal birth. I will also share my knowledge with you and your support circle.

Safety - It is my duty to advocate for a natural and low intervention birthing process. As such, I can be a strong emotional, mental, and physical support for the ideal birth envisioned by you and your support circle.

Support - It is my duty to be available to you via text, phone call, email, Zoom/WhatsApp video call,or in-person. As such, I can be a strong emotional, mental, and physical support for you and your support circle.

DOULA SERVICES AND FEES

Currently, I offer birth education, labor and birth, and postpartum support on a sliding scale. This means that you only pay what you can afford. No pushing and no questions asked.

I am not currently able to take insurance.

BIRTH EDUCATION - INCLUDED

My main goal as a doula is to ensure that you are confident before, during, and after your birth. This is accomplished through education on the birthing experience, tailored to your learning style. I offer information (to you and your support individuals) on the birth experience and emotional and birth comfort options. I also can assist in birth plan creation. If you need help after delivery, I am an excellent resource for home organizing and management to match your growing family.

Education can be provided in-person, remotely (Zoom, text, telephone, etc.), or via printed material (emails, fact sheets, resource links, etc.).

LABOR AND BIRTH - SLIDING SCALE UP TO $1200

Labor and birth support is my primary duty. During labor and delivery, I will:

Deliver pain-relief and comfort techniques, including those involving breath, relaxation, massage, and laboring positions.

Advocate on your behalf and serve as encouragement for you to advocate to your medical birthing team.

Encourage and support assistance from the loved ones you have in your birthing room.

Support for breastfeeding and new baby bonding in the immediate postpartum period.

As a doula, I cannot provide any type of medical care.

POSTPARTUM - SLIDING SCALE UP TO $65/hour or $75/hour for overnights

In support after labor and delivery, no matter the outcome, I will:

Support and encouragement in your own nurturing instinct.

Organization planning and home management.

Sibling or other family transition support.

Continued support for feeding and baby bonding.

As a doula, I cannot provide any type of medical care.

Birth and Postpartum Packages

Pay a flat fee for a package of services:

Community Support

Services provided on a Sliding Scale for families with financial constraints. Services are provided regardless of ability to pay (you pay what you can).

Includes:

1 prenatal planning meeting
Phone/text support throughout pregnancy
On-call support beginning at 38 weeks
Continuous labor support during birth
Immediate postpartum support (1–2 hours after birth)
1 virtual or in-person postpartum check-in

Essential Birth Support

$1200

Includes:

1 prenatal consultation (1–1.5 hours)
Birth planning assistance
On-call availability from 38 weeks
Continuous labor support during active labor and delivery
Comfort measures and position guidance
Advocacy and communication support with care team
1 postpartum visit (virtual or in person)

Comprehensive Birth Support

$1800

Includes:

1 prenatal consultation (1–1.5 hours)
2 prenatal visits
Birth planning assistance
Labor preparation and partner coaching
On-call availability from 38 weeks
Early labor phone/text support
Continuous labor support during active labor and delivery
Comfort measures and position guidance
Advocacy and communication support with care team
Immediate postpartum support (2 hours)
1 postpartum visit (virtual or in person)
1 in-home postpartum visit
Feeding and newborn care guidance
Community resource referrals

Birth and Early Postpartum Support

$2400

Includes:

1 prenatal consultation (1–1.5 hours)
2 prenatal visits
Birth planning assistance
Labor preparation and partner coaching
On-call availability from 38 weeks
Early labor phone/text support
Continuous labor support during active labor and delivery
Comfort measures and position guidance
Advocacy and communication support with care team
Immediate postpartum support (2 hours)
1 postpartum visit (virtual or in person)
2 in-home postpartum visit
6 hours postpartum support (scheduled)
Light household assistance during postpartum visits
Feeding and newborn care guidance
Family adjustment guidance
Errand support if needed
Community resource referrals

Premium Birth and Postpartum Support

$3200

Includes:

1 prenatal consultation (1–1.5 hours)
3 prenatal visits
Birth planning assistance
Labor preparation and partner coaching
On-call availability from 38 weeks
Early labor phone/text support
Continuous labor support during active labor and delivery
Comfort measures and position guidance
Advocacy and communication support with care team
Immediate postpartum support (2 hours)
1 postpartum visit (virtual or in person)
2 in-home postpartum visit
12 hours postpartum support (scheduled)
1 Overnight postpartum support visit (scheduled)
Ongoing phone/text support for 6 weeks postpartum
Light household assistance during postpartum visits
Feeding and newborn care guidance
Family adjustment guidance
Errand support if needed
Community resource referrals

I currently accept payments via cash, personal or certified check, Paypal, Cashapp, GPay, or Venmo. I am not able to accept insurance.