Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
Doula is a Greek word meaning “ woman servant or caregiver”. As a birth doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. My professional certifications come from DONA International CD(DONA). I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support and physical comfort during your labor and birth using relaxation, massage, positioning, and other pain coping techniques. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
What can a doula do for me?
A doula can help guide you through labor. She will help you with a birth plan before your birth time and work with other health care providers to implement the plan during your birth time. A doula will also be experienced in comfort techniques and offer a calm presence. Your doula will stay with you throughout your labor to make sure all your needs are met. Your doula can also help explain medical procedures and assist you in evaluating all your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.
What are the benefits of having a doula?
Will a doula detract from my partner’s role as support person?
Absolutely not! A doula can help your partner enjoy the birth experience more fully. She will be a resource for him. She can guide him and suggest comfort techniques during the birth time. She will also ease his anxiety in this unfamiliar territory, allowing him to be fully present for you. Your doula can also run any errands for food or drink so your partner can remain with you at all times.
How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?
A doula performs no medical procedures. A doula provides physical and emotional support. She will also be with you the entire time of your birth, unlike many other medical professionals.
I am a very private person; won’t a doula be distracting?
A doula can actually help assure your privacy is protected by creating a buffer between you and those entering your room. She will know your preferences and work to make sure they are respected.
Doula is a Greek word meaning “ woman servant or caregiver”. As a birth doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. My professional certifications come from DONA International CD(DONA). I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support and physical comfort during your labor and birth using relaxation, massage, positioning, and other pain coping techniques. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
What can a doula do for me?
A doula can help guide you through labor. She will help you with a birth plan before your birth time and work with other health care providers to implement the plan during your birth time. A doula will also be experienced in comfort techniques and offer a calm presence. Your doula will stay with you throughout your labor to make sure all your needs are met. Your doula can also help explain medical procedures and assist you in evaluating all your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.
What are the benefits of having a doula?
- 50% reduction in caesarean rate
- 25% shorter labour
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in Oxytoxin use
- 30% reduction in anelgesic use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
- Shortens first time labour by an averageof 2 hours
- Better breastfeeding outcomes
- Increased mother/infant interaction
- Decrease post natal depression and anxiety
Will a doula detract from my partner’s role as support person?
Absolutely not! A doula can help your partner enjoy the birth experience more fully. She will be a resource for him. She can guide him and suggest comfort techniques during the birth time. She will also ease his anxiety in this unfamiliar territory, allowing him to be fully present for you. Your doula can also run any errands for food or drink so your partner can remain with you at all times.
How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?
A doula performs no medical procedures. A doula provides physical and emotional support. She will also be with you the entire time of your birth, unlike many other medical professionals.
I am a very private person; won’t a doula be distracting?
A doula can actually help assure your privacy is protected by creating a buffer between you and those entering your room. She will know your preferences and work to make sure they are respected.
“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.”
Laura Stavoe Harm
photos by mashed bananas photography
