Doula Program
What is a Doula? Heading link
An individual experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and educational support to the mother before, during and after childbirth. The goal of a Doula is to assist the mother in having a positive and safe birth.
The Doula’s Role
- Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their birth plans
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and stays by the laboring woman throughout the entire labor/delivery
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and the clinical care providers
- Provides breastfeeding education and support
- Advocates on behalf of the woman’s wants/needs during childbirth
Services
- Prenatal visits beginning at 7 months
- Creating a birth plan
- Overview of comfort measures – breathing and relaxation techniques, massage, movement and laboring positions
- Childbirth education – what to expect during labor/delivery
- Labor/delivery support starting at 5cm dilated
- Immediate Postpartum Care of approximately 1-2 hours following delivery
- Assistance with initiating breastfeeding
- Postpartum Care for 2 months
- Newborn care education and support
Benefits of having a Doula
- Having a labor companion and supportive person who will advocate on your behalf
- Decreases chances for a cesarean
- Decreases length of labor and requests for epidurals
- Reduce stress and anxiety for the laboring mother through the power of touch and massage
- Encourages partner participation and offers reassurance