What is a doula?​

The word “doula” comes from the ancient greek, meaning “a woman who serves”.  A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous, compassionate physical, emotional, and knowledgeable support to a mother before, during and after labor. When a doula is present, women have reported to have a higher satisfaction with their birth experience, they make more positive assessments for their baby, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression. Studies have shown that women who have doulas attend their birth have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to the NICU, and breastfeed easily.

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A doula does not replace your partner, but rather guides and supports them in helping you through your birth experience. A doula does not make any clinical tasks and does not make decisions for you, but rather provides knowledge so you can make informed decisions. A doula does not speak to the staff on  your behalf, but provides you with a comfortable setting to allow respectful communication between all staff and family members.

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​The Essential Ingredient: Doula

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As a Birth Doula I...​​​​​​​

•     Recognize birth as a key  experience in a woman’s life, one that she will remember all her life.
•     Understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
•     Assist a woman in planning and carrying out her wishes for birth.
•     Remain with the woman throughout her entire labor.
•     Allow the woman’s partner to participate as much as comfortable with.

Studies have shown the use of a birth doula during labor and delivery can have the following beneficial effects:

•     Reduce the need for a cesarean
•     Shorten labor time
•     Reduce requests for Epidurals
•     Reduce the use of Pitocin
•     Reduce the use of Analgesia (pain meds)
•     Reduce the needs for a Forceps Assisted Delivery

Long term effects:

•     Improved Breastfeeding
•     Increased amount of affectionate time spent with baby
•     Increased maternal satisfaction with birth experience
•     Decreased postpartum depression

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Having a baby, whether it is your first or fourth, is an exciting journey and I am honored that you are considering sharing such a special time in your life with me.  If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a complementary prenatal consultation with

me please feel free to Contact me! I look forward to hearing from you!