It is now widely recognized that choosing to add a labor support person to one’s birth team can yield many positive benefits. A woman’s memories of her birth experiences last a lifetime and can have powerful effects on her self esteem and confidence. As a doula, I am committed to helping women and couples feel empowered and supported as they experience birth. What is a doula?
What is their Role?A doula supports women through all phases of childbirth. We recognize and understand the profound nature of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period and it's ability to transform both the individual and the entire family. Each family has unique needs and there's a perfect doula for each family. Most doulas provide pre-birth education and informational meetings. During these prenatal sessions we talk through specific topics and develop an ideal birth plan (keeping in mind that our plan need to be flexible). I teach comfort measures and help families discover their birthing goals and dreams. During the birth I help create an intimate environment. I provide hands on support and comfort measures. Everything from help with position changes, heating pads, and cool wash clothes, ice chips and back massages. I help the partner know what to do next and how to best support their partner. Immediately after birth I assist with skin to skin and baby's first feeding. No, a Doula is NOT "Just like a Midwife"! A birth doula does not and is not qualified to perform any medical procedures including, but not limited to, blood pressure checks, newborn assessments, postpartum checkups, mental health assessments, etc. A doula is NOT and does NOT replace a Health Care Provider such as a Midwife or OB. The 3 Pillars of Birth Doula SupportAvoid Google - Ask Your Doula! A doula offers informational support by keeping you and your partner informed through each milestone of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. They can also help you find evidence based information about different options in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. A doula is an unbiased resource. NEVER a source! Your Emotions and Fears Are Valid! A doula is a continuous comforting presence offering reassurance and encouragement, showing a caring and empathetic attitude and helping you and your partner work through fear and self doubt about pregnancy and birth. Debriefing after birth is another way a doula can provide Emotional support. Facilitating the Birth of Your Dreams!
Doula Support For Partners
Postpartum SupportThe role of the postpartum doula is education, guidance, and non-judgmental support. Nurturing parents into their new roles, the postpartum doula arrives when you need experienced help the most, in those difficult times, days, and weeks after birth. Tasks of the Postpartum Doula
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AuthorKirsten Lane has served NEI as a birth doula for over a decade and holds a genuine passion for all things birth related. She's a mother to 8 children (5 here on earth and 3 with their heavenly Father). Kirsten is eager to share the skills and knowledge she has gained while helping hundreds of families meet their newest addition. ArchivesCategories |