Doulas are a constant support for both the person giving birth and any birth partners.

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I will offer support during natural childbirth, epidurals, inductions, and both unplanned and scheduled cesarean sections (c-sections). I will attend planned home birth assisted by a licensed midwife, birth center, or hospital birth.

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Before birth begins: 

• As a doula, I can help educate you on childbirth, what is happening physically to the birthing person and the baby through labor.

• The many hormonal changes that occur through each step, how a baby actually helps to get themselves out.  

• Discuss any options you might have surrounding your labor and birth.

• Talk to you about lactation or plans to feed your baby.

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Things a doula does during labor for the person giving birth:

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• Makes sure you are comfortable

• ​Encourages different positions to help manage contractions or surges

• Suggests ideal positioning for each phase of labor

• Help with pain management using non-medical/drug-free strategies

  • Acupressure

  • Massage

  • Helps facilitate water therapy whether a hot shower, soak in a tub, or hot compresses

  • Guided mediation

  • Distraction techniques

  • Breathing

  • We will find your labor groove through ritual and a helpful mantra or birth affirmations

• Manage the Environment 

  • Help set a calming tone

  • Dim the lights

  • Nice aromas

  • Music

  • Personal clothing

• Encourage food and water

• Reminders of birth preferences

 

• Can help you discuss and understand any events or procedure options that might present themselves during labor

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• Provide constant reassuring attention and encouragement from one person throughout your labor.

 

• Can encourage you how you want to be encouraged and reassure you how you want to be reassured. (We will discuss your ideal birth and how I fit in during our prenatal visit)

 

• If you want it, I can also record or photograph parts of your labor and the highlights of birth. 

(From personal experience I suggest this, either you won't care there's a camera around, or you might not even notice and every birth is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But it's totally up to you and you can change your mind at any time, either way.)

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• After labor, I will encourage things that are proven to be beneficial: skin to skin, the golden hours, bonding with baby, nursing, and whatever else is important to you, etc.

 

For Labor Partners:

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• I will encourage labor partners to help as much as they are able. 

• I will remind you of massage, acupressure, rebozo, and distraction techniques discussed in our prenatal appointment.

• I will be there to discuss any events or procedures so you can feel empowered to discuss these with your medical provider.

 

• B.R.A.I.N. I can help you and your partner use this acronym to empower your decision-making.

  • Benefits

  • Risks

  • Alternatives

  • Intuition

  • Nothing

 

• I can also be the person who relieves you during labor, you will also need to take care of basic needs, sleep, eat, use the bathroom and stay in contact with other interested parties. 

 

• Emotional Support! Birth is so many things: amazing, challenging, grueling, fast, worrisome, fascinating, unexpected... 

  • I will be there to support you, talk with you and encourage you too.​

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