First-time mom and Phippsburg resident Kaila Colasanti appreciated the support from her mom and husband when her son, River, was born last year. But in retrospect, she would have liked to have a doula present too.

So, for her second baby, a girl due in November, Colasanti plans to have certified doula Natalie Mara helping and advocating for her during that intense time.

“During that process when you are in labor and not thinking clearly, there is a lot going on,” Colasanti said. “Even with family around, I would have had a doula because they are just so knowledgeable, and you can go to them for things you may not be able to ask your mom for.”

Colasanti did utilize Mara, owner of Wise Baby Bee doula company in Routt County, for a prenatal class and for six weeks after the birth of her son, especially since her family lives in another state.

“To have her help and support during the postpartum process I felt was really crucial for us,” Colasanti said. “Being postpartum is a very vulnerable time. I think mothers need a lot of support during that time. I think it’s overlooked.”

The new mom said the doula service was helpful for advice, questions and support for everything from meals to baby care to breastfeeding guidance.

Wise Baby Bee founder Mara has worked as a doula since 2017 and has supported more than 200 moms, both in homes and hospitals. She formerly worked as a birth doula at Rose Medical Center in Denver before moving to the Yampa Valley two years ago and gradually growing her doula collective.

“We need more support up here for families that are going through this biggest transition,” Mara said. “I’ve witnessed the lack of birth work services in the area, and I’m committed to ensuring that every family here has access to the nurturing care and expert guidance they deserve.”

Wise Baby Bee serves moms and families across Routt County. The collective includes certified doulas Nya Norling and Hanna Rodis with a mission to support mothers on the path to a healthy, empowered and harmonious pregnancy, birth and postpartum … and beyond.”

The three doulas are certified through DONA International. The educational and certification organization notes a doula is a “trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

Wise Baby Bee collective offers doula services in tailored packages ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, which is generally not covered by many insurance companies. However, Colorado’s Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, covers the non-clinical doula services to “improve maternal health equity and outcomes for pregnant people and parenting populations,” according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing.

“There is a wealth of research that shows doula support can help reduce epidural use, labor duration, low birthweight and premature deliveries, and postpartum depression rates,” noted Adela Flores-Brennan, the department’s Medicaid director, in a media release. “There’s also evidence doula support leads to reduced C-section rates, which is higher in the black, indigenous people of color population and contributes to morbidity and mortality.”

The doula collective provides educational resources, referrals to midwives and specialized physical therapy, personalized guidance and emotional support. Mara said with the difficulties, vulnerabilities and hormonal fluctuations common for women during pregnancy and after birth, “it is absurd for moms to go through this by themselves.”

The doula team also works to empower dads or partners with information so that they can become “more empowered and feel they can help their partners and be confident, connected and capable,” Mara said.

Rodis grew up in Steamboat Springs, earned a degree in biology and a master’s degree in education and also works as a high school science teacher. She combines scientific knowledge with a commitment to nurturing and guiding new parents.

“I want to help support more women and their families through this exciting, intimidating and beautiful experience of childbirth,” said Rodis, herself an expectant mom.

Norling has trained in multiple different bodywork modalities such as acupressure and cranio-sacral and lymphatic massage and recently completed certified nurse aide coursework.

Mara said doulas are needed in today’s society where family members live farther apart and modern medicine may sometimes make patients feel like a number. She pointed to statistics that show doula-supported births have higher satisfaction rates, more support and better communication. She said postpartum doulas reduce the risk of depression and improve outcomes for moms in the “fourth trimester.”

Wise Baby Bee also offers prenatal and postpartum events such as a Prenatal Class set for 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at SBNY in downtown Steamboat and a Mama Walk for expecting moms at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 starting from Bud Werner Memorial Library. Mommy & Me events will continue monthly, and Birthing and Partner Support classes are planned for fall. More information is on the collective’s website at WiseBabyBee.com.