Doula is a Greek word meaning ‘women helping women’. The art of mothering the mother is centuries old. The doula gives from her heart to create a sense of calm around the mother during one of the most important times in her life.  It is in the compassionate environment where the mother can enjoy her labor, feel connected to her coach and educated so that she does not fear her experience.

Doulas enable women to look back at their births with a sense of pride, empowerment and identity.

A doula’s goal is to help the birthing mother.

• She assumes the mother’s goal as her own
• She physically supports the mother with massage, labor positions, aromatherapy, a hand to hold and sometimes a shoulder to cry on
• She offers continuous support and reassurance to the partner and family while honoring their place at birth
• She supports and encourages the coach in his/her style rather than replace it
• She understands the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of labor being a mother herself
• She can give explanations of medical procedures and interventions as desired
• She attends the family before, during and after the birth
• She can be the support person working with siblings who are attending the birth
•  She offers breastfeeding support
• She can offer a birth story and birth pictures

Prenatal visit(s)- we will get to know one another and go over the following:

·         Maternal medical history

·         What is the doula's role is in labor and how I work with the partner/family

·         When to call me, how to identifying signs of labor, policies pertaining to their provider/hospital, and any emotional concerns/fears

·         Speak with couples about previous pregnancies and births and find out what their perception of birth is, as well as wishes for the upcoming birth

·         Put together a postpartum plan and discussing breastfeeding concerns/fears

·         Go over comfort measures exploring what is comfortable and what is not in hopes of having a better idea of what can work for you in labor. Techniques explored include but are not limited to various positions, massage, toning, and aromatherapy

At the time of labor-

·         Unlimited phone or email support up to the birth and after birth

·         Labor support from the time active labor begins or parents request help through the birth and the baby is breastfeeding

Postpartum Visit(s)-

·         A postpartum visit within the first week of the birth to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the birth events or birth story

·         To review breastfeeding and to answer infant questions