The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word which means the most important slave or servant in an ancient Greek household. Today the word has come to refer to "a person experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during and just after childbirth."

 

A doula provides non-medical support.

 

A persons needs are complex during childbirth. In addition to obstetrical and the love and companionship provided by loved ones, there is a need for consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. To this end, a doula works with a the birther and her family, physicians, midwives and nurses with an aim to enhance communication and understanding.

 

When a Doula is present, the pressure on the partner is also decreased, allowing participation at the partner's comfort level and increasing the enjoyment of the birth experience.

 

WHAT ELSE CAN A DOULA DO? Not An Exhaustive List

 

• support
• help you feel and your partner feel more confident
• help you identify and suggest ways to deal with your fears
• dispels myths that are common
• helps offer suggestions to help you achieve an unmedicated birth
• anticipate the birthers and partners needs in and post delivery
• protect your space
• make sure you are staying well nourished and well hydrated and prepare food for you if you are at home
• help or prepare snacks while in your home if needed
• field phone calls and visitors
• extra pair of hands to help carry or retrieve
• offer list of items to take to or additional comfort items for home births
• suggest how to use furnishings in your home to help with comfort and progress
• works cooperatively with all members of the team and is constant through staff changes and alternating provider schedules
• helps ease the transition from home to hospital
• help you identify needs common in and postpartum
• massage, acupressure, positioning suggestion, apply heat or cold
• refer to other birth professional and other modalities, eg. chiropractic care, acupuncture, nursing specialists
• verbal encouragement
• suggest tools that may offer comfort in eg, heat pack, lip balm, music, massage oil, birth ball, rolling pin, external focus
• set up pool or fill tub and empty when finished
• help you develop a postpartum plan for support or to ease the transition to parenthood
• nursing support
• telephone and email support
• take pictures
• keep notes to review at a postpartum visit
• reminds you to stay in the moment
• believes in you even if sometimes you don't believe in yourself
• reminds you the need to be flexible

 

 

WHAT A DOULA DOES NOT DO

 

• Anything medical - including interpreting machines or test results
• Speak on your behalf
• Give a second opinion
• With hold anything from you
• Make decisions for you
• Answer for you or your partner
• Replace your partner
   

 

WHY HIRE A DOULA

 

Research has found that one-on-one professional support tend to have shorter labours, fewer complications, and healthier newborns. Doulas help foster a more relaxed postpartum environment, and enhance early parent-infant relationships, nursing family adjustments.
 

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DOULA SERVICES:

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In-home Consultation or a location where you are coformable meeting.

• provide a comprehensive consult package for you to review
• get know one another, introductions
• learn about the birth experience you desire
• review services and contract

 

Three Prenatal Visits:

One on One, Birth Preferences - this visit is completed in the comfort of your home, approximately six to eight weeks before your estimated due date. Two workshops are also offered in the comfort of your home. 

 

Birth Preferences - Location - your home

What we cover during the visit.

• review your birth preference, expectations worries.
• discuss what to expect at home, at the hospital or home birth
• answer any questions
• offer resources, lending library, online websites, community resources

 

Two Prenatal Workshops (in any order)

Hands on Comfort Measures and Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing

• practical handouts
• discuss and practice comfort measures and pain coping strategies
• nursing information
• baby wearing
• answer any questions

 

Additional Prenatal Visits* - and topics specific to clients preference

 

Birth - IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE Workshops

• continuous support once our presence is requested either at home or in hospital
• will remain with you until approximately one to two hours after birth
• will assist with immediate nursing support if needed

 

Post Birth Visit - clients determine when this visit takes place.

• one postnatal visit to review your birth experience.

additional visits may be added if the support required is within our scope of  practice.

• pictures taken at the birth. (sent via drop box)

• answer any questions or concerns.

• share information on recovery.

 

We are available by phone or email to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

 

 

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Contact us at:

780-266-3773

mitger@telus.net

 

Content copyright ~ Mitzi Gerber ~ All rights reserved