What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a trained support person who is there to guide and support you during your pregnancy, birth, and the early parts of the postpartum period. While we do not provide direct medical care, we offer continuous emotional, physical, and information support both in person and online (via phone, text, Zoom etc.) tailored to your unique needs. As doulas we are here to provide education, advocacy, and a calm steady presence during this time in your life.
Prenatal Support
Education
Doulas provide information about pregnancy, labor, birth options, and pain management techniques. They can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Birth Plan Guidance
Doulas assist in creating a birth plan (if desired), discussing preferences for labor and delivery, and helping to communicate those preferences to the medical team and family members, if desired.
Emotional Support
They offer reassurance, address concerns, and help reduce any anxieties about the upcoming birth.
Labor Support
Physical Support
During labor, doulas assist with comfort measures such as breathing techniques, massage, positioning, movement, counter-pressure, or using tools like a birth ball to ease discomfort.
Emotional Support
Doulas provide continuous emotional support throughout labor by offering words of encouragement, calming reassurance, and a steady presence that can help reduce fear and anxiety.
Partner Support
Doulas can help partners and family members feel more confident and involved during labor and delivery by offering clear guidance on how to provide physical support, emotional reassurance, and encouragement.
Advocacy
While doulas don't speak on behalf of the person in labor, they can guide them in communicating their preferences and decisions to the medical team. They can also help clarify medical information or suggest alternatives when appropriate.
PostPartum Support
Feeding Support
After birth, doulas offer support with feeding-whether breast/chest feeding, formula feeding, bottle-feeding, or a combination. They can help with latch and positioning, answer questions, and provide reassurance during the early days.
Connection to Resources
Doulas can help connect you to trusted resources, including lactation consultants, mental health professionals, support groups, and community organizations, ensuring that you have the care that you need throughout your postpartum journey
Education
Doulas provide personalized education about postpartum recovery and self-care, you and your support system understand what to expect physically and emotionally as the body heals. They offer practical tips and encouragement to support well-being during this important transition.