As a Doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I use my knowledge and experience as a woman, doula, wife, sister, daughter, and mother to provide physical comfort, emotional support, and informational support to women and partners. I provide women and partners with information needed to make informed decisions as they arise in pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progression, and assist with relaxation, massage, position, and other comfort techniques. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital. Choosing a Doula
It is very important that you and your partner are comfortable with me and my role in the birth. Thus, I do expect to meet with clients at least once (preferably two to three times) before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities, fears, concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. If at this meeting, you or your partner decides that our interaction doesn’t meet either of your needs, I encourage you to say so. I will happily refer you to, if possible and applicable, a different doula with whom you may develop a better rapport. I will provide you with the following during labor;
Comfort techniques: I can offer help and advice with comfort measures such as guided breathing, enhancing relaxation, visualizations, encouraging movement, suggesting effective positions for labor, and massage. Advocacy: I can assist with gathering information about the progress of labor to ensure you have the correct information needed to make informed decisions about your birth. I can also serve as an advocate for your needs with the medical staff. Emotional support: My most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort for you and your partner. I will provide you with the following during the postpartum period;
I can assist with initial breastfeeding and answer any questions or concerns you may have. I am also available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth of your baby. My services include postpartum visits, usually within two weeks of the birth and phone or email contact to answer questions about the birth of your baby. During the postpartum visit, I can provide breastfeeding support, baby care tips, referrals to community resources, and a chance to discuss the birth experience. What Doulas do NOT do:
I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc. I am there to provide only physical, emotional, and informational support and advocacy. I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need to make your own informed decisions. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Plan, and will verify if this is, in fact, your informed decision. I will not speak to medical staff regarding matters where health care decisions are being made. I can discuss your concerns with you and suggest options. I will help you identify key questions that may help you with your decisions. I can support you in discussions with staff as your advocate, making sure you have the opportunity to discuss concerns. But, you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the medical staff. I will not prescribe, diagnose, or treat any medical problems that may arise and will not be liable for interpreting diagnostic procedures. This is the role of your provider.
