Doula Services
What is a Doula?
The Greek word doula means "a woman caregiver". The word is now used to describe a trained labor companion. A doula gives a pregnant woman and her partner contunious emotional support, physical comfort, and assistance in obtaining information before, during,and just after childbirth.
A doula............
~helps the mother and her partner to plan and prepare for the birth
~stays with the laboring mother through the entire process
~assists the mother and her partner with comfort measures and support
~helps the mother to preserve her birth memories
~helps to facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and their clinical caregivers.
What are the benefits of hiring a birth Doula?
Research has shown that, compared to other woman without continuous labor support, those who were provided with continuous support from non-hospital caregivers (a doula) experienced significant reductions in risk for interventions, and dissatisfaction. These women were:
~26% less likely to give birth by c-section
~41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
~28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
~33% less likely to be dissatisfied with their overall birth experience.
Description of my services:
Interview:
This is where we meet and discuss your ideas for your birth, what I can do to assist you, and my fees. There is no obligation at this point.
First Prenatal Visit:
If you should decide to hire me as your birth doula, we can meet to discuss in more detail you and your partner's ideas for the birth. I will help you devise a birth plan. We can make arrangements for the birth. Additional meetings may also be arranged if needed.
Birth:
Call me as soon as you think you may be in labor. I will be there ASAP to help you all the way through birth, delivery, and immediate post-partum.
Post-partum Visit:
Here we can meet again to discuss you birth and how it went.
So don't hesitate to contact me and ask me any further questions at (406) 860-4207.
Thank you!
