Doulas are known around the world for assisting laboring and postpartum moms through this huge transition in life. The word “Doula” is Greek for “woman caregiver” and is typically a female who is highly educated and professionally trained to continuously offer one-on-one care, as well as unbiased information, psychological encouragement, evidence-based education, and practical hands-on support immediately through the first year.

Throughout history, women have always helped women give birth. As childbirth began to move from home and into the hospital setting less than 100 years ago, this vital ingredient in childbirth began to disappear. Now, due to the rising rates of cesarean sections and the highly technological and impersonal nature of childbirth, we’ve begun seeing the shift in our culture to restore the role of a doula, “birth companion”.

Why not?!? By hiring me, a doula who is professionally certified by DONA International with a background in Integrative Health & Wellness, you will feel safe, supported, and confident. I have been professionally trained to tune in to your needs, create the most optimal environment, and continuously support you for your best possible birth and maternity leave.

Doulas are an under-utilized resource, according to ACOG! A joint statement released on March 2014 from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) set forth new guidelines designed to prevent primary cesareans. Here are a few highlights:

• “Increasing women’s access to non-medical interventions during labor, such as continuous labor and delivery support, has been shown to reduce cesarean birth rates.”

• “Published data indicates that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula.”

• “… the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery.”

I noticed that the link was no longer available on ACOG’s site, so in the meantime, while I relocate it here are some others:

https://www.dona.org/acog-smfm-statement-one-of-the-most-effective-tools-to-reduce-the-cesarean-rate-doulas/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmwh.12972

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6/full

During our prenatal sessions, we will work together to address your wishes, needs, questions, and dreams. In addition to our conversations, we may decide to practice a variety of tools such as learning comfort measures, positions for labor and birth, pain-coping practices, baby positioning, visualizations, breathing techniques, preparing for unwished-for events, how to make decisions about interventions, and more.

If you are giving birth in the hospital, we will work together to ensure you (and your partner) are making informed decisions on the possible medical interventions that are common in the hospital setting.

If you are planning to birth outside of the hospital we will work on developing a birth vision board that will help evoke the spirit of your ideal birth as well as a Plan B, because we do not know if a transfer is in the cards and well, I like to ensure we are aware of what could happen to minimize the blow that can occur in the moment your midwife makes that call.

This is a time of great preparation, so our measures will be towards preparing your mind, body, and spirit for the journey ahead.

Absolutely not. Let’s take a moment and recognize that your partner has a strong desire to help, to participate, to feel useful and active throughout the entire journey. But, when two people share an emotional bond and an ongoing relationship, it is very difficult for that companion to remain continuously objective, calm, and removed to some degree from your discomfort and fears, or any danger.

Your partner will benefit from my presence as I will assist them in supporting you during labor and throughout the first 6 weeks postpartum. I may suggest positions, pain-coping practices, or comfort measures such as massage. I may offer breathing techniques, encouragement and a shoulder to lean on. My approach isn’t to overshadow, but to enhance the moment. Most partners express their gratitude for the chance to step away, take a break to reenergize, without leaving you alone with no support.

Absolutely. I support everyone who feels the need for additional support. Having a doula isn’t a privilege anymore, it’s a birthing parent’s human right to have the kind of support they desire.

Don’t limit your thinking. Our society has a funny way of labeling ourselves as this or that, but I don’t believe in separating people into categories. I will meet you where you are at.

Yes. Whether scheduled or not, we will be by your side throughout the process. Depending on the hospital, we can join your partner in the OR. Depending on hospital protocols, we will be there for you in recovery to assist with newborn feeding and to attend to your other needs.

As a doula, I DO NOT provide, nor perform, nor imply clinical/medical procedures, including and not limited to taking blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.

If you have hired a doula for labor support, they will go on-call at 38 weeks gestation, unless stated differently in your service agreement. This on-call period lasts anywhere from 3-5 weeks. However, once you hire us, we are committed to serving you no matter how early (or late) your baby is born.