What is a DOula?
If there is one thing I've learned since becoming a doula it is that not many people know who we are or what purpose we serve. I will try to keep this short and sweet because I could go on for hours on what an asset a doula is to your birth space!
A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is in labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birth experience. Myself as a doula, my main goal is to keep you as informed as possible so you can make the best choice for you and your baby. In todays society there is a lack of informed consent when it comes to childbirth. Birth should be the most empowering thing you as a woman can experience.
Finding a doula that you feel safe and understood with is crucial. I begin our birth support journey with an interview process to make sure we are a good fit for each other. Typically this is held somewhere like a coffee shop. If we decide to move forward I offer 3 prenatal visits; one around 20 weeks to talk about what you would like your delivery to look like and if there's any trauma or fear lingering from a pervious delivery we will try to work through that as well. The second visit will happen early third trimester. This visit will include creating a birth plan to submit to your provider. This is where we will finalize your wishes for what exactly your ideal delivery looks like. The final prenatal visit is nearing delivery and for doing some guided stretching/exercises to help baby get into an optimal position for labor. During our prenatal journey together, I am ALWAYS just a text or call away.
Now for the fun part! Birth support can be anything you would like it to be. Are you a more hands on person? Doulas are trained in pain relief techniques. This can be really beneficial for you if your goal Is an unmedicated labor. Are you more of a words of affirmation person? that's okay too! Speaking mantras to laboring women is scientifically proven to help calm a racing mind and cause relaxation in which creates progress. The experience is truly so customizable to what fits you and your partners preferences.
Now that our sweet baby has made their arrival, what's next? I will stay for as long as you need post-delivery. I am certified in lactation support, so if breastfeeding is something you're planning to do, I would be happy to assist! Once we part ways after baby is born, I offer one postpartum visit once you are settled back home. Some women use this right away for nursing help while others hold onto it for 2-3 weeks PP for when the visitor stream dwindles and it can start to feel a tad lonely. This is totally personal preference.
This is only just a glimmer of why a doula can be beneficial. If you have questions please head over to the "contact" page!