I believe that childbirth is a natural and beautiful part of life, and can be one of a mother’s greatest achievements and fondest memories if handled correctly. Studies have shown that continuous support throughout labor and delivery leads to women feeling less pain, having fewer medical interventions, and having a better overall postpartum feeling about their birth experiences.
DONA International’s definition of a doula is: A professional who is trained in childbirth and provides continuous support to a mother (and her partner) before, during, and just after birth.
My roles as a doula at your birth:
- Help you to create a birth plan
- Help the mother and her partner to be informed of various birth choices
- Provide emotional support
- Apply comfort measures, ex: breathing techniques, relaxation, movement, positioning, massage, counterpressure
- Give information
- Continuously reassure and comfort the mother
- Advocate for the mother
- Facilitate communication between the mother and her care provider