dou·la
/ˌdo͞olə/
A person experienced and/or trained to provide information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother and family before, during, and just after birth.
History and Etymology for doula
Modern Greek, female helper, maidservant, from Greek doulē female servant.
In earlier, aka ancient, times a Doula was not a “job”, rather a simple convention of a culture, the norm!
As far as we have come, we’ve left behind moms, families, and babies with regards to support, understanding, and advocacy. This is where YOU will find me, your personal guide; ace in the deck – holding space for you.
Now more than ever it is essential to have someone by your side to gently guide and kindly encourage you throughout your pregnancy, birth and the immediate transition into parenthood.
In this way, I am honored and excited to be on your team. I’ll help you get grounded in your journey, make sure everyone in your team – baby too – have what they need by way of education, understanding, and expertise.
With me by your side, you’ll feel safe.
Your voice will be heard.
No second guessing. No confusion.
Simply, Clarity. Calm & Candor, and the contentment that you and your family have the best experience in this important, dynamic time. That is what I offer and that is what you deserve.
You don’t just have to take my word for it, here’s what the data says, A birth doula:
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life.
- Works Cooperatively within the birth team to help you realize your goals.
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions.
- Allows the woman’s husband or partner to participate at their comfort level.
- Helps facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her husband or partner and her clinical care providers.
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
- Provides continuous support throughout the labor.
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her preferences for the birth while nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience.
More Benefits to working with a Doula:
- 50% decrease in cesarean section.
- 25% decrease in length of labor.
- 30% decrease in use of forceps.
- 40% decrease in use of oxytocin (Pitocin).
- 60% decrease in the use of epidurals.
- 30% decrease in pain medication.
Long term benefits of labor support include
- Improved Breastfeeding.
- Decreased Postpartum Depression.
- Greater Maternal Satisfaction.
Dear Renée,
Reflecting on the last 11 weeks with our sweet little boy you come to mind over and over. Without your guidance, love and support leading up to birth and then afterwards, I do not believe things would look the same.
You have given me a great deal of confidence to find the strength I never really knew I had.
The confidence to make difficult choices with my medical care to get exactly what it was that I needed and wanted.The confidence to say no if and when something wouldn’t serve me or my family and most importantly the confidence that I would succeed at being a mother. I can’t exactly find the perfect words because thank you doesn’t feel good enough. Our birth took an unexpected turn but your presence provided us with the support we didn’t even know we needed. You are patient, kind and caring. You’re also knowledgeable and strong.
If you ask me every pregnant person and their partner would without a doubt benefit from having you as part of their birth team. Thank you for your support postpartum as well. Thanks to you the resources you gave us I am successfully able to breastfeed comfortably, just as I had hoped I would. Simply put, you are the best. Sending you our love today and always!
– Cindy, Tom and Tommy.
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