“All over the world there exists in every society a small group of women who feel themselves strongly attracted to giving care to other women during pregnancy and childbirth. Failure to make use of this group of highly motivated people is regrettable…” – Dr. Kloosterman, Chief of OB/GYN, Univ. of Amsterdam, Holland
What’s a Doula?
So…”what’s a doula,” you ask? A doula is someone who supports pregnant/laboring women emotionally, physically, and with sound information during her pregnancy and the birth of her child. A doula assists in educating a pregnant woman with knowledge of risks and benefits allowing her to weigh her options when it matters most. As your doula, I am your assistant and advocate, I will impart information and make sure your wishes are met, but will not make decisions for you. Whether you want to birth at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital, I will work in harmony with you and your caregivers to ensure that you, your family, and your baby are well cared for. A doula may not make diagnoses or perform medical treatments or techniques.
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How to employ my services…
Contact me via phone or email. We can set up an interview appointment. During this time questions can be asked and answered, we can check your due date for availability of my services and decide if we would like to work together during your pregnancy and birth.
Once employed as your Labor Support Doula, I will provide the following services:
*2 Prenatal Visits (optional 3rd prenatal if induction is being considered)
*Continuous Prenatal Support via phone or email
*Education on various aspects of pregnancy and birth
*Assistance in creation of a birth plan/questions for care provider
*24-hour on-call support from 38 weeks until the birth of the baby
*Hospital/Home/Birth Center support during labor and birth
*Assistance with breast feeding immediately and during postpartum visit
*1 Postpartum Visit
Benefits of using a doula
*C-sections reduced by 50%
*Length of labor reduced by 25%
*Pitocin use reduced by 50%
*Use of narcotics reduced by 30%
*Forceps use reduced by 30%
*Epidurals reduced by 60%
*Improved result with breastfeeding
*Increased bonding with the baby
*Decrease in postpartum depression
(Statistics from labor studies by Kennel, Kennel, and Klaus)
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“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” John H. Kennell, MD