The Birth Doula
What is a Birth Doula
Doulas are trained and experienced in providing physical and emotional support to a mother and her family throughout labor, birth and the postpartum period.
Birth doula services include:
3 prenatal visits
- I help you and your partner determine your wishes and goals for your birth through a series of in depth questions I have created to gain an understanding of your priorities, andhelp you better visualize and anticipate the variety of possibilities for your birth. Many times when a person /couple think of creating their birth wishes they don't know where to start
– I am here to guide you through the stages of labour and provide extensive information about every stage, your options, and what to expect. I also provide an understanding of medical terminology so you feel better prepared, empowered, and involved in your birth experience. We discuss any previous births, your fears & concerns, your excitement & vision!
-I will provide resources and education for you about breastfeeding, and help you feel prepared for the addition of a new baby to your family whether it be your first, second, third... I help you feel prepared for new parenthood, or for helping older children adjust in the transition period.
-I go over homeopathic remedies, and handmade aromatherapy products I provide for each labour, how they work, and the potentials for their use
-I share with you ways to prepare your body for labour in the later weeks of pregnancy
Labour
- I am on call 24/7- I am available to discuss the changes your body is experiencing leading up to the birth, and help you determine when you are in labour
-I am there from the moment your labour is established, through until 2 hours after your baby is born
-I support you and your partner physically and emotionally
-I take photos / videos of your labour and birth if you desire
-I encourage position changes and other coping techniques
-I provide and show your partner acupressure and massage to help you cope
-I provide and prepare remedies for healing after the birth
2 postpartum visits
- I provide educated support for breastfeeding -We discuss yours and your partner's experience of the labour-We discuss the possibility of additional postpartum visits if needed
-I offer resources and information on any concerns you may have with normal infant care and provide additional resources as needed
- I provide a birth story from my perspective on our final visit.
How having a birth doula helps
* 50% reduction in cesarean rate
* 25% shorter labours - Doulas help reduce the length of a labour through suggestions of different positions and emotional support contributing to the mother being more relaxed
* 60% reduction in epidural requests - Doulas reduce the need for medical interventions and medications by offering coping techniques and continuous emotional support
* 40% reduction in oxytocin use
* 30% reduction in analgesia use
* 40% reduction in forceps delivery
* Doulas help the mother feel supported and more positive about the birth experience there by reducing the risk for postpartum depression
* Doulas encourage greater success with breastfeeding through one on one guidance and support, and the information for additional resources if necessary.
If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.
- John H. Kennell, MD