What do doulas do?

• Provide continuous emotional support and physical comfort throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum.
• Help women to have shorter labors with a decrease in interventions and less need for drugs
• Help formulate a birth plan which helps to facilitate dialogue between a woman and her healthcare provider
• Will join you in labor WHENEVER you are ready for help, whether you are still at home or in the hospital
• Teach women and their partners coping strategies: breathing, visualization, positions, acupressure, massage
• Provide tips for dealing with difficult situations
• Work as a member of your healthcare team
• Support your choices whatever they may be
• Help women to develop confidence
• Advocate for the mother, by helping her find her own voice (not by speaking for her)
• Videotaping or photographing the birth

Additional benefits to the birth partner:

• Education of birth partner before, during, and after pregnancy
• Reassurance that the processes of birth are normal and desirable
• Continuous presence during the labor encourages the partner to participate at his/her own comfort level
• During a long labor will ensure that the birth partner has the rest and nourishment they need

I will be using pain medication, do I still need a doula? As your doula, I will:

• Provide information about options
• Be reassuring and nurturing
• Give you a massage
• Help with breathing and pushing
• Give your partner a break
• Help and assist with breastfeeding

I am scheduling a Cesarean birth, do I still need a doula?

• I will provide information about Cesarean births and options you may have
• Attend you in the operating room (with Doctors’ permission) and stay with you when your partner leaves to go with baby
• Take photos and video (if allowed)
• Help establish breastfeeding

Click for fee schedule.