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 E N T E  R A

​​​is a Spanish word meaning whole, or complete, 
which represents my philosophy
of caring for individuals and their families     
during pregnancy and the full spectrum of pregnancy choices.  

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EXPERIENCE MATTERS!

When I gave birth to my first daughter I had already been working as a doula for 3 years and had attended dozens of births. I thought I would know what I needed and would be able to communicate that to my partner. I did not, and I could not. The anxiety this caused my partner showed on his face and is a memory I will always carry with me. For my second birth I had learned my lesson and decided I would get a doula. The doula I chose was new and inexperienced, but again, I thought this would be fine because of my own extensive birth knowledge. My doula came to my home too early and never left. In the excitement of early labor I did not have the bandwidth to suggest she go home and rest. By the time I was in active labor 36 hours later I'm sure she was exhausted.  During my labor I begged my midwife to do certain things for me, like turn off the pitocin for example, which were ignored or flatly denied. I am certain that if I had chosen an experienced doula who understood the nuances of labor she would have encouraged me, advocated for me to the medical staff, and talked me down from my panic instead of disappearing into the background, because those are the skills that a doula can only develop over time, through experience.  

Birth is truly magical, but it is also so complicated because of the Medical Industrial Complex and all the policies and standards of care in hospitals. You deserve a doula who has been to enough hospital births to understand the undercurrents of each shift and suggestion in the labor room; someone who can go to bat for you, but who can read the energy in the room and communicate with you and your partner well enough to know when to take a step back. I don't make your birth about me. And I don't let your medical team make it about them. 

There is no amount of training that can serve as an equal substitute for experience. You will remember your birth forever. Invest in your peace of mind and in memories you will savor for the rest of your life!

Teresa was fantastic to work with. She was the perfect blend of creative and 'crunchy' with a no nonsense / evidence based streak. She was supportive and warm to both myself and my partner. She was great to have in the hospital, by my side, and in the before/after home visits.  -
 Peri 6/26/2022

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Services During COVID-19

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​Service Area

I live in Billerica, MA and serve families in the greater Boston area, Merrimack Valley Region, and Southern NH. I will attend births at locations within a 1 hr drive (including at peak travel hrs). For clients delivering within my service area, but who live outside this radius, virtual support can be offered for prenatal visits and early labor support.

I have attended births predominantly at Mount Auburn Hospital but have also attended many births at Cambridge Hospital, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Winchester, Emerson, Beth Israel Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, UMass Memorial, The North Shore Birth Center, Melrose Wakefield, Beverly Hospital, South Shore Hospital, Landmark, The Birth Cottage in NH, Cambridge Birth Center, and Catholic Medical Center in Nashua New Hampshire. I have also attended families in home births. 

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