Vaginal Mapping is one of many approaches to Sexological Bodywork. The way this process works, is by visualizing a clock on the vulva, with 12 being the top of the vulva, near the clitoris and the 6 being the bottom, the entrance to the vagina. I guide the client with consent communication through breathing techniques and vulvo-vaginal massage strokes. Vaginal Mapping is a slow process where we, together, identify areas on the vulva (externally) and in the vagina (internally) that may be painful, numb, tense, or have scar tissue. This is an appropriate therapy for those experiencing pain during sex, postpartum pain, Vulvodynia, and Vaginismus.
Scar Tissue Remediation can be included in a Vaginal Mapping appointment. I use high grade castor oil to work on episiotomy scars, natural tears, and cervical scars from colposcopies/biopsies and LEEP procedures. If you have a history of any of these procedures, it is recommended to address the scar tissue before pregnancy in order to reduce scarring on the cervix before pregnancy and birth. Scar Tissue Remediation is not performed on pregnant clients.
I guide people to breathe and give feedback as they begin to associate and connect their breath to the pelvic floor. Many times a client will experience emotional release, and trauma release. This is the perfect environment to address a wide spectrum of trauma experienced in the pelvic floor. Significant shifts are felt with one session.
Cost:$175 Los Angeles, Bay Area, San Diego - $125 El Paso, Texas
I am lucky to have found Pati as she has all the qualities I look for in a bodyworker! She has an beautifully intuitive touch and tunes in to the areas of greatest need to release what are incredibly pleasurable sensations. Ultimately her work will create a space for healing/integration into a more authentic self which includes embracing the erotic power of each individual. It is powerful work that has taken me to places that i have never felt before and gained more awareness into my own pleasures and blockages in my body.
Her facilitating me to soften amidst my tension has resulted in great pleasure and at the core an ability to embrace my own present experience of my body. Her nurturing touch, awareness of breath and energy, and the ability to create space to allow expression of whatever is present is a potent and beautiful formula for transformation! Thank you!
Initial meeting includes a free consultation to review services and contract.
Prenatal
2 prenatal home visits; can include hospital tour
provide handouts, informational materials
help give an overview of labor and birth
comfort measures and strategy planning for birth
phone/e-mail consultation to discuss pregnancy progress and concerns
24 hr on-call availability
From 36th week to delivery
Call when you think you are in labor
Available at any hour to meet you once you are in labor and need me
Support Throughout Labor and Birth
provide support in early to active labor
labor support at home, birthing center, or hospital
suggestions for activities or positions to help labor progress
support for client's partner
help with breathing and relaxation techniques
massage
birthing ball, aromatherapy and crystal therapy
help make client's environment feel safe
staying by birthing parent's side throughout the entire labor and delivery process
Immediate Postpartum Support
staying with you for up to 2 hours following birth to make sure you are stable and secure
help with initial feeding if desired
1 postpartum visit within a week or so to review birth experience and assist with any lingering doubts
list of referrals as needed
Cost: I offer services on a sliding scale depending on location.
For metropolitan areas Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area: $2,000.00 to $2,500.00
For El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico the sliding scale is $800.00 to $1,600.00
50% as a deposit to reserve the month you are due, and paid in full by 36 weeks.
Additional Services Package:
PRENATAL MASSAGE $115 PER SESSION (regularly priced at $125)
PLACENTA PREPARATION, CAPSULES, TINCTURE, PRINT $300 (regularly priced at $375)
POSTPARTUM CARE FOR CLIENT, TEA, SOUP, BATH $400 PLUS SUPPLIES (regularly priced at $500)
El Paso Pricing for additional services:
Prenatal Massage $100
Placenta Preparation
Capsules $100
Tincture $50
Print $25
Postpartum Care for client Tea, Soup, and Bath plus supplies $350
We could not have chosen a better person to help guide us on our journey to parenthood! From the beginning, Pati educated me and my husband on how I could achieve the natural birth that I desired. From nutrition tips to advice on how to prepare my body physically, Pati was always committed to my well being before, during, and after labor. She even went with me to one of my OBGYN appointments to meet my doctor!
When I went into labor, Pati came over to my house for a few hours and her relaxed and calm nature made everything so pleasant and low key. At the hospital I ended up having to be induced. I appreciated Pati’s sense of humor and support during the longest part of my labor. At the transition stage of active labor, if Pati didn’t encourage me to get out of bed I would have never been able to deliver my baby naturally and pain free! After delivery, Pati stayed with us for a few more hours to make sure we were doing fine and to check in on the baby.
A week later she came over to our house and delivered my placenta pills, which helped tremendously in the weeks that followed. These magical placenta pills were the only additional supplement I was taking (aside from my postnatal vitamin) during the months after I delivered.
Our journey to parenthood has been a delightful one, thanks largely in part to Pati. She helped to demystify all the common assumptions about childbirth and pregnancy, and allowed me and my husband to empower ourselves through this knowledge (labor does not hurt!). The most important thing a woman needs is a strong and positive support system before, during, and after labor. Pati was there for us and we look forward to working with her again in the future.
-M.N & T.C
we loved working with Pati as our doula for our pregnancy and birth! she is amazing, a magical fairy that brings a smile to every session...that said, she is also really REAL. she will tell you how things are without "pelos en la lengua". we appreciated her honesty because being our first pregnancy we needed to know what was up, why, and how we can help me have a healthy labor and birth. Pati is as gentle as a baby cub and firm as a momma lioness. her directives and softness during my labor were crucial in my navigating/surrendering to the waves of intense contractions. and best of all, she is a Queer doula- this was so important to us. i find that her calling to aid in the labor of bringing babies into this world fits her perfectly as a 2-spirit person.
-Guadalupe & Delia
Photo by Joslyn Smith
As a Full Spectrum Doula, I provide emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals through all pregnancy experiences, including birth, abortion, and miscarriage. Many times people will find themselves in unique situations and need specialized, non-judgemental support through their reproductive health choices and experiences. I educate and help my clients make informed and timely decisions that best meet their interests and needs.
Abortion Doula Testimonial:
The work of Ms. Pati—la Chula Doula—Garcia has been an essential part of my healing process. I sought her when it became my turn, as a woman, to make the choice to bring more life into this world, or, as woman, choose not to bring that life into the world. I never knew the power of woman until that choice sat before me. Pati heard me and provided me with the emotional and tangible support I needed to ground my choice in truth. She guided me in a post-abortion care to assist my body in its natural transition towards balance and healing.
Thank you, Pati Garcia, for the work you do…for educating and empowering women in the 21st Century about our bodies and our options…for creating and maintaining a safe space to dialogue about what most people fear: women and/or a woman’s body and/or the empowering of women. You are a great human being doing amazing work. Gracias. –Tochtli Perez
What is a Postpartum Doula?
The Postpartum Doula is a trained professional that offers physical, emotional, and spiritual, support to a new mother and the rest of the family. I was trained by Darla Burns of CAPPA in October 2012.
Postpartum Doulas also offer breastfeeding support, light household maintenance, family nurturing and instruction to mom and/or other family members in the care of a newborn. The Postpartum Doula’s job is to make the transition to parenthood easier for new parents, to help mom during her recovery period and to ascertain what the family needs help with and provide instruction.
The main objective of the Postpartum Doula’s role is not to take over complete care of the newborn, but to educate and support the family so that they will feel empowered to care for their newborn themselves. Postpartum Doulas do NOT offer any medical advice or perform any medical or clinical procedures, but instead can offer parents referrals to appropriate studies and published books. Postpartum doulas should be good with children, patient, non-judgmental, and knowledgeable about newborn care and breastfeeding.
The postpartum doula may offer the following:
Physical support
Emotional Support
Spiritual Support
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding support and tips
Baby care instruction
Household assistance
Sibling care
Meal preparation
Errand running
Source: CAPPA.netPost Womb Wound Care (Bath, Soup, Tea)
Post Womb Wound Care for abortion/miscarriage/trauma/birth/etc.
Done in your home, at your pace, in your own bathtub. A variety of herbs and foods will be needed and a list will be given to you to begin the process together.
What does POST WOMB WOUND mean?
This is a phrase I use to describe the state of the uterus after one experiences birth, miscarriage, abortion, or any other type of trauma. We carry physical wounds from the placental site after birth. We also carry emotional wounds from our pasts. As you can imagine there is a vast array of reason why one would benefit from dedicating a little bit of time and energy towards healing the wounds in our wombs.
This soup, tea and bath combination are based in Asian tradition. The soup's purpose is to restore warm energy in your womb. The soup is vegan and is rich in minerals and vitamins. It is healing because the warming quality helps strengthen a person after trauma. The soothing and relaxing bath aids in the healing of the uterus and perineum and increases circulation. There is also a way in which a bath can feel all encompassing, and can reset the energetic body.
The tea is like no other. Besides tasting absolutely wonderful, citrus and honey sweet, one can feel how it shifts the body into a higher vibration. The increases circulation, cleanses the womb, balances hormones, and relieves pain physically and emotionally. Overall this combination assists you in your physical/spiritual/emotional wellbeing and healing. It is a ceremonial process in which I arrive to your home and prepare it all and give you comfort. Your house will be full of wonderful scent and delicious energy. I was trained by Midwife Ma'at from Birth Mama.
I encapsulate placentas in the Traditional Chinese Medicine method using a combination of herbs and spices designed to “warm” the placenta. It is believed that a person loses their warmth when they give birth, and placenta medicine is the perfect way to not only regain this warmth but also increase lactation, raise energy levels, and balance hormones. The end result of this process are 80-120 divine placenta capsules perfectly formulated by nature. Capsules are vegetarian and kosher, double
Tincture is made by soaking a small piece of fresh placenta in strong alcohol; it may be used after your capsules are gone by placing drops in a glass of water, similar to an herbal tincture. (6-week prep time)Putting part of your placenta in tincture form is another way to stretch out its longevity. A small portion of placenta is added to Everclear alcohol and set to ferment for 6 weeks. Some of the benefits include hormone stabilization in your postpartum cycles, less bleeding during those cycles, energy and for menopause years down the road. The female child can also benefit from placental tincture once she begins her menstruation cycles. Bring a small cooler and 2 ziplock gallon freezer baggies to transfer the placenta if the hospital’s plastic tub doesn't fit in your cooler. Hospitals always have plenty of ice to place in a small cooler. We can arrange pick up/drop off from hospital.
Please fill out the form below and send a deposit of 50% if you would like me to prepare your placenta.
Also, feel free to call if you'd like any clarifications or more information.
Cost for Placenta Capsules: $300 Los Angeles, $100 El PasoPlacenta Tincture: $50Natural Placenta Print: $25
CranioSacral Therapy for Infants
A gentle holding of a newborns head and/or sacrum and can help them unwind the inherent trauma of birth. This practice is based on the subtle movement of the cranial bones to decompress excess tension in the skeletal body. CST helps babies feel balanced and activates their own self-healing capabilities. The following article on the La Leche League website explains how CST is beneficial for addressing a newborn's lactation challenges.
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvaugsep01p82.htmlIntake Session: $125, includes assessment and CST
Following sessions are $100
Pregnancy Massage is offered during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters to help soothe the aches, pains, and worries clients might be experiencing. A combination of acupressure and deep tissue masssage are used during this relaxing one hour session. Packages are available for ongoing sessions. Discounts are available for my doula clients.
Scar Tissue Remediation is the practice of combining deep tissue bodywork with castor oil and/or castor oil packs and heat. This practice specifically brings oxygen and blood flow to scarred tissue and the area around it. Many times scars can begin to root deeper into other areas of the body and adhere to organs, causing a shift in posture and shallow breathing. My practice began while working with people who've had bilateral masectomies. Since then, I've developed specialized techniques to address abdominal scars from cesarean birth, gall-bladder removals, and appendectomies. During the session I share self-care tips with my clients so that they may continue to soften their scars at home. Following each session, clients often report a significant change in the texture of the scar, increased sensation, and deeper breathing.
(discounted packages available, 4 sessions)
Cost: Sliding Scale $80-$120
Self-Care Kit: $20 Organic Cotton Flannel and 8oz bottle of Premier Research Labs Castor Oil
Crystal healing/Chakra balancing gives us tools to connect with our ancestral power and wisdom. Sessions begin with a consultation on what you hope to get out of the session. Once intentions are set, the sesssion begins on a massage table. Crystals are placed on the chakras (hips/belly/heart/throat/forehead/top of head) and tapped according to your pulse and to the primordial sound of the universe. If needed, breathing techniques will be introduced to take the healing further. We bring closure to the session with an Agua de Florida cleansing of the head, ears, and neck. It takes approximately 10-15 crystal healing sessions to embody your full potential.
Cost: Sliding Scale $40-$80
My experience with Pati's crystal healing session was exactly what I hoped it would be. During a period of transition in my life, I felt the need to re-center with the help of healing energy and Pati facilitated that process of rejuvenation with the help of her crystals and guided visualizations. Pati has a natural depth of intuition and sensitivity to energies that is rare and beautiful. I walked away feeling deeply at peace and excited for what lay ahead and would highly recommend her healing sessions to all." ~Sarah Marie
During this session, I guide you through the process of using a speculum, flashlight, and mirror to view your cervix. The session allows for plenty of time and directed breathing so that you can go at your own pace. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your sexual health history and ask any questions you may have about anatomy and sex. Self-exam is useful for understanding your state of health and observing what your cervix is communicating to you, such as fertility, stress, and imbalance. You will receive a speculum to take home with you and continue the journey of discovery.
(extra Speculums available for purchase at $10 each)
Cost: Sliding Scale $50-$80
Most commonly known as a Mayan Vaginal Steam Bath, this process includes prayer/intention, selecting herbs for your bath, and sitting over a steaming bowl of those herbs. This ceremony offers two primary benefits. Physical benefits include detoxification and cleansing of the reproductive organs, increased blood flow to the area, and heightened sexual pleasure. From a spiritual perspective, the act of setting intentions allows you to reflect on your aspirations and aspects of your life that are blocking you from reaching those goals. Here is a blog entry on my own personal experience with Genital Steam bath.Cost: Sliding Scale $30-$50
FemCap
The FemCap is a non-hormonal barrier method of birth control. The cap is part of the evolution of Cervical Caps which were popular in the 70's and were recently discontinued from being manufactured. The FemCap is made from silicone and functions by covering the cervix, preventing ejaculate from entering the uterus. It is recommended that users add spermicide to increase it's effectiveness.
Because the FemCap must be placed internally around the cervix, it requires careful guidance and patience to learn how to place it securely and confidently. During the fitting, you will learn how to locate your cervix with your fingers and also by using a speculum, flashlight, and mirror. I will determine your size which might require trying on more than one in order to ensure the best fit. I will manually check that the FemCap is completely covering your cervix and will gently pull on the handle to make sure it is snug and on correctly. I will also guide in you in removing the FemCap.
Once the size is determined, I will help you place the prescription order.
Cost is sliding scale: $50-$90 payable by cash or check only.
To get fitted for a FemCap, clients must have and bring with them a copy of a current normal pap result (within 9 months).
I'm also available to provide a variety of consultations/platicas. I have knowledge in the areas of nutrition and diet, fertility and pre-conception plans, herbs for reproductive health, anatomy, and sexuality. This knowledge combined with my experience as a full-spectrum doula and sexological bodyworker provide with the tools to offer consultations that are comprehensive, client-centric, and informed.
*Career Consultations- Many people have been requesting time with me to learn about my personal journey in bodywork, doula-hood and activism. I have been on this path for several years now and have navigated a slightly uncommon path and would love to share my experiences and tailor the conversation to your interests and curiosities and help you customize your path so you can hit the floor running.
Consults are open to all people. Consults can be in person or online via video chat/or Skype.
Consultations/Platicas Costs: Sliding Scale $50-$120
