Doula-
One who “mothers the mother” during
labor and postpartum.
What is a Doula?
A doula offers informational, physical, and emotional support during the prenatal period, throughout the labor, and for postpartum care. A doula is trained to accompany the laboring woman, offering comfort measures such as position changes, massage, movement, breathing techniques, vocalization, birth ball, music, etc. A doula acts as an advocate for mom by helping her express her birth plan wishes to the caregivers and medical personnel. She also offers support to the birth partner by suggesting comfort measures for mom and support the partner in his/her role.
Benefits of having a Doula
* Shorter labor* Reduced need for pain medication such as epidurals
* Reduction in medical interventions such as episiotomies, forceps, pitocin, and cesarean births
* Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
* Improved mother/infant bonding
* Increased breastfeeding success
My Doula Philosophy
I believe women have the innate knowledge to create, birth, and care for their babies; and it is our job as birth guardians to empower and support women to listen within. Our birth stories stay with us forever and it is my hope that we can create a positive experience together.
As your birth doula, my job is to support mom and partner through the end of pregnancy, into labor and during the immediate postpartum period. I will do my best to provide you with as much information, physical and emotional support, and resources available to me. Most importantly, I hope to support the mom (and partner) to take responsibility for their own birth experience and trust her knowledge within.
