Doula Defined.
So what exactly is a Doula?
The word, “Doula,” comes from the Greek meaning, “woman's servant,” providing physical and emotional support during child birth.
As your Doula, I work for you and your needs are my top priority. Unlike your health care provider, or nurse, and other hospital staff, I answer solely to you and the “guidelines” are determined by you through your birth plan. I work with you and your support partner to help formulate your birth plan based on your expectations for birth. Most women seeking labor support support are interested in a non-medicated, natural childbirth, but I firmly believe all women deserve the support of a Doula during birth no matter what the circumstances may be. Education is key in determining what is best for you and the birth of your baby and I am here to offer those resources to you throughout your pregnancy and birth.
Here is a brief overview of what a Doula offers in today's world:
• understands and trusts the process of birth, who respects its transcendent and sacred aspects, as well as, its physical and emotional aspects, and who facilitates the birth experiences for the parents, baby, and primary care providers.
• supports and encourages woman-centered, non-invasive, unmedicated birth as the safest possible choice for mothers and babies today.
• provides continuity of care prenatally through the postpartum period including: emotional support, educational support, physical support, and advocacy/facilitation between you, your family, and health care provider.
While there are medical benefits of having a Doula it is important to understand that I am not trained to carry out medical procedures. I do not take the place of your obstetrician, midwife, or partner. I will, however, be there to provide continuous physical and emotional support before, during, and after labor.
Some Advantages of Labor Support.
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." - John H. Kennell M.D.
Professional Birth Doulas can do a great deal to provide pregnant women with information and practical alternatives so that they may give birth with confidence, strength, and joy. Laboring women who feel confident and supported are much more likely to achieve satisfying outcomes.
*Controlled trials involving over 1,000 women demonstrate that the presence of a Professional Birth Doula results in:
Long-term benefits of labor support include:
As a toLabor Birth Doula I am trained to support women and their families by:
*Compiled from Mothering the Mother, by MH Klause, JH Kennel, & PH Klause; Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.
The word, “Doula,” comes from the Greek meaning, “woman's servant,” providing physical and emotional support during child birth.
As your Doula, I work for you and your needs are my top priority. Unlike your health care provider, or nurse, and other hospital staff, I answer solely to you and the “guidelines” are determined by you through your birth plan. I work with you and your support partner to help formulate your birth plan based on your expectations for birth. Most women seeking labor support support are interested in a non-medicated, natural childbirth, but I firmly believe all women deserve the support of a Doula during birth no matter what the circumstances may be. Education is key in determining what is best for you and the birth of your baby and I am here to offer those resources to you throughout your pregnancy and birth.
Here is a brief overview of what a Doula offers in today's world:
• understands and trusts the process of birth, who respects its transcendent and sacred aspects, as well as, its physical and emotional aspects, and who facilitates the birth experiences for the parents, baby, and primary care providers.
• supports and encourages woman-centered, non-invasive, unmedicated birth as the safest possible choice for mothers and babies today.
• provides continuity of care prenatally through the postpartum period including: emotional support, educational support, physical support, and advocacy/facilitation between you, your family, and health care provider.
While there are medical benefits of having a Doula it is important to understand that I am not trained to carry out medical procedures. I do not take the place of your obstetrician, midwife, or partner. I will, however, be there to provide continuous physical and emotional support before, during, and after labor.
Some Advantages of Labor Support.
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." - John H. Kennell M.D.
Professional Birth Doulas can do a great deal to provide pregnant women with information and practical alternatives so that they may give birth with confidence, strength, and joy. Laboring women who feel confident and supported are much more likely to achieve satisfying outcomes.
*Controlled trials involving over 1,000 women demonstrate that the presence of a Professional Birth Doula results in:
- 50% decrease in cesarean sections
- 25% decrease in length of labor
- 30% decrease in use of forceps
- 40% decrease in use of pitocin
- 60% decrease in use of epidurals
- 30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics)
Long-term benefits of labor support include:
- Improved breastfeeding
- Decreased postpartum depression
- Greater maternal satisfaction
- Confident mother-infant interaction
As a toLabor Birth Doula I am trained to support women and their families by:
- Helping expectant parents formulate what is important to them during labor and birth, and working within the birth team to help realize these goals.
- Providing practical suggestions for working with contractions and pain to help women relax, including emotional support, variations in positions, touch and massage, and other labor support techniques.
- Helping the woman's partner participate more fully in the experience by augmenting their ability to provide support.
- Supporting and encouraging woman-centered, non-technical childbirth as the safest possible choice for mothers and babies.
- When technology and/or medications are truly indicated, supporting the family in their choices, staying with them when changes or unexpected outcomes occur.
*Compiled from Mothering the Mother, by MH Klause, JH Kennel, & PH Klause; Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.