The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and is now used to refer to someone experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Professional Labor Assistance Studies have shown that the presence and support of a professional labor assistant (doula) can:
- Shorten Labor by 25%
- Reduce the overall cesarean rate by 50%
- Decrease the need for pain medication by 30%
- Limit the requests of epidurals by 50%
- Decrease the need for forceps by 40%
Mothers who have experienced professional labor assistance report they feel more positive about labor, are more successful at breastfeeding, and even report feeling more positive about their partner months after the blessed event!
My Professional Labor Support Services Include:
2 Prenatal meetings
Birth attendance
2 Postpartum follow-up visit
Prenatal Visits
During our prenatal visits, we will go over your intentions and desires for your labor and discuss how you want to be supported. My mission is to support you in having the birth you most deeply desire. We will discuss what to pack for the hospital/birthing center or how to prepare your home, comfort measures for the late stages of pregnancy and labor, positions for labor (and the ways in which your partner can help you get in and out of these,) how to prepare your body and mind for labor, breastfeeding basics, and we will discuss issues and needs for the postpartum days. The prenatal visits are held in your home.
Birth Attendance
I support women and their partners for the duration of their labor. I will join you at home or once you arrive to the hospital to help you get settled and comfortable in your environment. During labor, I will be there to provide reassurance, explain any medical interventions the medical staff proposes, and be a constant knowledgeable presence in the hospital where nurses are in and out and doctors are often present for only the last moments of labor. Using my knowledge of massage, acupressure, counter pressure, and beneficial labor positions I will assist you in maintaining a relaxed and calming experience. With the goal of helping you have the most comfortable, safe, and rewarding birth possible, I will support you in whatever decisions you make. If you want to have a natural birth, I will be there to reassure and encourage you to go through labor without medication and provide the necessary comfort measures to get you through labor. On the other hand, if you are open to taking pain medications during labor, I can explain the trade offs of each option, and will fully support you in whatever decision you make. I will be by your side until you have given birth and are successfully breastfeeding.
Postpartum Visit
These are some of my most special experiences as a doula. During the postpartum visit I will see you within 36 hours of your labor to help you trouble shoot any breastfeeding issues you may be experiencing. Additionally we will discuss your birth experience, which gives you a very needed outlet for expressing how you felt during labor and how you are feeling now with a new child in your arms. These are tender moments and I will be there to listen to you.