What is a Doula?

A doula provides the labouring mother and her partner with continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after labour.

A doula:
• Provides continuous, uninterrupted support through labour and birth

• Offers information, massage, suggestions for position changes, relaxation techniques,and reminders to stay hydrated, etc.

• Does not replace the partner. Instead she helps support the partner in ways that help enhance the bond between the couple.

• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour.

• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth.

• Stays by the side of the woman throughout the entire labour and birth

• Provides an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions.

• Facilitates communication between the labouring woman, her partner and clinical care providers

• Provides photographs of the birth and the moments following

• Provides a written birth story

• Assists with establishing breastfeeding if required

Benefits of Doula Care:

Having the support of a doula

•can lead to shorter labours with fewer complications

•reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience

•reduces the need for pitocin (a labour-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans

•reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Women who have had doula support
•feel more secure and cared for

•are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics

•have greater success with breastfeeding

•have greater self-confidence

•have less postpartum depression

•have lower incidence of abuse
Source: DONA International

Fees

*Fees are currently waived until August 2010 as I work towards certification.*

Services Provided

Doula services Include:
•Prenatal visits (usually two) in your home or a comfortable space during your third trimester

•Access to lending library

•Discussion of the following: your birth plan, your past birth experiences, pain coping techniques, and any concerns you and your partner may have

•On call guarantee for two weeks prior to your due date and two weeks after, or until the baby is born.

•Unlimited email support during your pregnancy and during your baby’s first few weeks

•Early labour support – over the phone, at your home, or at the hospital

•Continuous presence once labour is established, until one to two hours postpartum

•Labour and birth positioning suggestions for comfort and to progress labour

•Massage and other pain relief measures

•Information on all aspects of labour for you and your partner

•Support of whatever choices you make during labour

•Photographs of birth

•A written birth story

•Help with initiation of breastfeeding

•One or more postpartum visits, at your convenience

Contact

For more information or to inquire about availability for your due date, please contact

Janice Graham