Birth Doula

What is a Doula? (pronounced Doolah)

Answer: The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and is now used to refer to a woman who helps other women. It has applied to childbirth to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth."

The Doula recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all of her life. She understands the physiology of birth experience and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. She stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor. She provides emotional support, physical comfort, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the mother in getting the information the mother needs to make good decisions.

Research studies have shown labors are 25% shorter when a Doula is present; there are fewer complications, Cesarean deliveries are reduced by 50% and there is better bonding between the mother and baby.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well being of mothers and infants.

Our doula have been trained to help mom's labor in water or give birth in water.
Birthing centers, home births and some local hospitals are offering these services.
Our doulas are trained for you to have a wonderful water birth experience.

Although centuries old, the benefits of this one on one care have only recently been documented in several separate studies. The results show decreases in:

Epidural use by 60%
Cesarean birth by 50%
Pitocin use by 40%
Narcotics use by 30%
Forceps use by 30%
Length of labor by 25%

"Every woman should have a Doula!"

"The presence of a supportive woman during labor and delivery significantly shortens the labor and may reduce complications."
-Judith Walzer Leavitt, Author of Brought to Bed

Initial Introduction – this meeting is free. It allows for you and the Doula to get to know each other.

Prenatal Visits – at least 2 visits to learn more about each other and to understand what your desires and needs are for the birth. The Doula can provide additional information about childbirth to supplement any childbirth classes.

Labor & Birth – the Doula will come to you in labor when requested be it at home or in the hospital. She will stay with you no matter how long the birth process, assisting in massage, breathing techniques and other comfort measures.

Postpartum – at least one visit to answer any questions about newborn care, breastfeeding and birth recovery. More visits are done as needed.

A Doula can never replace the love and caring that the birth partner provides during the birth experience. No one else can fill this special role. A Doula’s knowledge and experience can help the birth partner to participate comfortably in the birth. The work as a team. A Doula gives the birth partner helpful ideas about what comfort measures work best during different parts of labor and birth.