Tri-Valley Doula Gets Creative To Serve Expecting Moms

LIVERMORE, CA — As if living through the new coronavirus pandemic weren't stressful enough, imagine navigating those challenges with a baby on the way.

Some pregnant women in the Tri-Valley might turn to a doula such as Casey Henshaw, owner of Livermore-based Little Rae Photography and Birth Services, for informational, emotional and physical support during their pregnancy and delivery. But many hospitals have enacted restrictions on the number of people who can be in the delivery room amid the pandemic, leaving doulas sidelined.

Henshaw, like countless other business owners, said she had to issue refunds to some clients and dip into her modest savings to stay afloat. Her businesses is "at the mercy of not only the state regulations, but county regulations," she wrote in an email.

Though she can't "connect and lock eyes to get through those contractions" with clients in the delivery room, Henshaw said she's still able to connect with her clients thanks to technology.

"For someone who is very hands-on learning, like myself, this has been a bit of an adjustment, but not an impossible barrier," she wrote.

Henshaw said she now walks her clients through delivery via a screen and teaches partners techniques to help women through labor. She's started creating hospital bags for clients with toiletries, hair scrunchies, a massage ball and an affirmation note to help them feel supported during a stressful time, Henshaw said.

Henshaw can't be in the room to capture special moments from the delivery, but said she has instead started lending out her equipment to clients and offering to edit their images.

Throughout the pregnancy, Henshaw reassures and fields questions from clients via call, text and email. She sends clients informational resources such as articles and medical journal sites.

While Henshaw has navigated these professional challenges, the single mom of two said she has been busy spending the first half of her day homeschooling her kids, taking turns spending one-on-one time with each child to help them to complete their schoolwork.

"Having two school-aged kids while trying to run my business has been a challenge in itself," she said.

Though Henshaw has found ways to serve clients in spite of the distance, she said she misses getting to know them, teaching them and supporting them in person.

"I am looking forward to giving these brave mamas hugs for a job well done," she said.