What is a Doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
A Birth Doula
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and and objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
- Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
A Postpartum Doula
- Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester
- Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tidying
- Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary
My Role as Your Doula
I believe the woman's body is designed to give birth and that with the proper support, birth can be joyful and empowering which will blossom a powerful bond with baby and her partner.
While I believe in women's ability to birth naturally I understand and support each unique situation. As a labor doula and childbirth educator, part of my job is to provide the necessary information to help you feel prepared to make informed choices for you, baby and your family. I am committed to honoring your birth choices. I offer my services to all women regardless of the type of birth they have.
I take the birth experience seriously. Birth of a baby is remembered in far more detail than any other event in your life. I am committed to support and protect your ideal birth experience.
Testimonials
We can’t thank you enough for your assistance as our doula during our labor and delivery. Your constant support and words of encouragement truly helped me have the natural childbirth experience that I was hoping for. Your reassurance during and after each surge made me feel like I could face the next one. From early labor through delivery and recovery, you were there for us in whatever capacity we needed you. And your offer to help during the first several postpartum weeks was an added bonus. Your kind generosity and thoughtful actions showed how much you cared about us and our baby!
Thank you again! Pauleen & Steve
Recommended Reading
- The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman though Childbirth by Simkin
- The Complete Book Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Kitzinger
- Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, The Complete Guide by Simkin, Whalley, & Keppler
- The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide of Conception, Birth, and Everything In Between by Douglas
- The Simple Guide to Having a Baby by Whalley, Simkin, & Keppler
- Gentle Birth Choices: A guide to Making Informed Decisions About Birth Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth by Harper
- Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Gaskin
- An Easier Childbirth: A Mother's Guide for Birthing Normally by Peterson
- The Breastfeeding Answer Book by Mohrbacher
- The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Newman & Pitman
- Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding by Newman & Pitman
- The Nursing Mother's Companion by Huggins & Lawrence
