Throughout history, women have been there to support other women during childbirth. It used to be that pregnant women were surrounded by their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters. A woman having a baby needs support, love and nurturing. In today's society, most people live far away from relatives, it is therefore increasingly difficult to actually have that familial support.
Enter the "doula". She is a woman who is there to support other women through the journey that is childbirth. Celebrities like Nicole Kidman (as seen on the Oprah Show), Ricki Lake (The Business of Being Born) and many others have turned to having a doula for their deliveries.
As a certified labor support doula, I am trained to care for women and their partners when they are giving birth. I will help them make informed decisions regarding the birth of their baby, and will support them in their choices. I will help with comfort measures and breathing techniques to ensure a positive birth experience.
As a postpartum doula, I help the family adjust to their new life. I visit the mother and her infant once they are back home. I am as involved as the mother and father want me to be: from a few hours a week to a few hours a day. I will help with basic baby care, from bathing to diapering to organizing the nursery. I can help with other siblings, do some shopping, cook a meal, and do some baby laundry. Although I am not a certified lactation consultant, I am prepared to help the mother with breastfeeding and should she need to refer out, I will put the mother into contact with professionals who can solve the problems she may encounter.
Research shows that women who have a doula with them for the birth of their baby benefit from the following:
50% decrease in Caesarean birth
25% decrease in length of labor
40% decrease in pitocin use
60% decrease in Epidurals
30% decrease in forceps
30% decrease in use of narcotic pain medication
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact me at:
