What does a doula DO?
Most doula-client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due. During this period, they develop a relationship where the mother feels free to ask questions, express her fears and concerns, and takes an active role in creating a birth plan. Most doulas make themselves available to the mother by phone in order to respond to her questions or explain any developments that might arise during the course of the pregnancy. Doulas do not provide any type of medical care. However, they are knowledgeable in many medical aspects of labor and delivery. Consequently, they can help their clients gain a better understanding of the procedures and possible complications of late pregnancy or delivery.
During delivery, doulas are in constant and close proximity to the mother. They have the ability to provide comfort with pain relief techniques that include breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. A doula acts as an advocate for the mother, encouraging and helping her fulfill specific desires that she might have for her birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother experience a positive and safe birth, whether an un-medicated birth or cesarean.
After the birth, many labor doulas will spend some time helping mothers begin the breastfeeding process and encouraging bonding between the new baby and other family members.
The role of the doula is never to take the place of husbands or partners in labor, but to compliment and enhance their experience. Today, more husbands are seeking an active role in the birth process. By having a doula as a part of the birth team, a father is free to do whatever he chooses. Doulas can encourage the father to use comfort measures and can step in if he wants a break. Having a doula allows the father to support his partner emotionally during labor and birth and to also enjoy the experience without the added pressure of trying to remember everything he learned in childbirth class!
(from American Pregnancy Association)
During delivery, doulas are in constant and close proximity to the mother. They have the ability to provide comfort with pain relief techniques that include breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. A doula acts as an advocate for the mother, encouraging and helping her fulfill specific desires that she might have for her birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother experience a positive and safe birth, whether an un-medicated birth or cesarean.
After the birth, many labor doulas will spend some time helping mothers begin the breastfeeding process and encouraging bonding between the new baby and other family members.
The role of the doula is never to take the place of husbands or partners in labor, but to compliment and enhance their experience. Today, more husbands are seeking an active role in the birth process. By having a doula as a part of the birth team, a father is free to do whatever he chooses. Doulas can encourage the father to use comfort measures and can step in if he wants a break. Having a doula allows the father to support his partner emotionally during labor and birth and to also enjoy the experience without the added pressure of trying to remember everything he learned in childbirth class!
(from American Pregnancy Association)
What are the benefits of having a doula?
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience.
Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and requests for an epidural by 60%.
Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and requests for an epidural by 60%.
My Services*
As your doula I will:
*I am currently not taking new clients. I do wish you the best on your birth and if you'd like advice or if you'd simply like me to pray for you and your new baby, please go ahead and send me a message!
All this for the low, low price of:
Your freewill gift!
This is not my full-time job. But I believe families who want support at their birth should not let numbers stand in the way, and therefore I offer my services for a minimum of travel expenses. Anything above and beyond this will be considered a gift and donation to help support my family as we work in ministry in Korea.
To hear more about our ministry work, please contact me for more details.
- Meet with you 2-3 times before your due date to build a relationship and discuss labor roles and wants
- Help you develop a personalized birth plan
- Be on-call 24 hours a day beginning 2 weeks before your estimated due date until delivery
- Provide continual support during labor and delivery of your baby
- Help establish initial breastfeeding and bonding
- Meet postpartum to share pictures, notes about your birth story and answer any questions or concerns
*I am currently not taking new clients. I do wish you the best on your birth and if you'd like advice or if you'd simply like me to pray for you and your new baby, please go ahead and send me a message!
All this for the low, low price of:
Your freewill gift!
This is not my full-time job. But I believe families who want support at their birth should not let numbers stand in the way, and therefore I offer my services for a minimum of travel expenses. Anything above and beyond this will be considered a gift and donation to help support my family as we work in ministry in Korea.
To hear more about our ministry work, please contact me for more details.