WHAT IS A DOULA ?
The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. Today the word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth."
~ A doula is someone who provides non-clinical support and care to a woman (and her partner) during childbirth.
~ Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need 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 woman and her family, physicians, midwives and nurses with an aim to enhance communication and understanding.
~ With a Doula present, the pressure on the partner is also decreased, allowing participation at an optimum comfort level and increasing the enjoyment of the birth of the baby. Ideally, the Doula and the partner make the perfect support team for the woman, complementing each other's strengths.
WHY HIRE A DOULA?
Research has found that women who have one-on-one professional labor support tend to have shorter labors, fewer complications, and healthier newborns. Doulas also help foster a more relaxed postpartum environment as well, and enhance early mother-infant relationships, breastfeeding and family adjustments.
WHY HIRE ME AS YOUR DOULA?
I can bring to your birth a calming reassurance that all you are going through is normal. One of the most important things couples need to understand about labour and birth is how their emotional responses to labour greatly effects how a woman labours. Creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere that allows a woman to do what she needs to do to give birth is my primary objective. I do not take the place of the woman's birth partner, rather I enhance the experience for that person by creating an atmosphere where they feel they can participate at their optimum comfort level. Your birth experience will be an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime and it is my goal to make it the best possible experience it can be.
Services/Fees
My doula care includes:
- I will come to your home for a free consultation to answer any questions you have around the role of a doula.
- Once you have decided to hire me there will be two more prenatal visits
- On going phone and email support from the time you hire me until one month after the baby has been born.
- I will be on- call 24 hours a day from the 38th week of pregnancy.
- I will come to you as soon as you need me once labour has started and will stay with you until a few hours after the baby is born
- I will visit you in your home twice once you have settled in with your new baby to provide support and help where required.
- I have a lending library of books and DVD's that you can borrow at any time.
Fee for my doula care is $600.00.
My fee is negotiable for those who need it. Please call or email to discuss.
For those who have taken my childbirth classes I offer a package which includes:
- One prenatal visit ( we've already gotten to know each other in class)
- On going phone and email support from the time you hire me until one month after the baby has been born.
- I will be on-call 24 hours a day from the 38th week of pregnancy.
- I will come to you as soon as you need me once labour has started and will stay with you until a few hours after the baby is born
- I will do one home visit once you have settled in with the baby to assist with breastfeeding and newborn care.
Fee $500.00.
ARTICLES THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE VALUE OF HAVING A DOULA
The Value of a Birth Doula
Doulas: Should you hire a Labour Coach
Why Should I Hire a Doula
