What exactly is a Doula?

A doula is many things:  a teacher, a counselor, a confidant, a friend, a physical support, a filter and a protector.  She will fill in the gaps, provide information, answer questions  and offer a listening ear.

The biggest support a new family today usually needs is continuity of care- and this is a doula’s true specialty.  She can serve you during the entire childbearing year, from pregnancy, to labor and birth, to those first several months while you adjust to your new roles.

How do I choose a Doula?

 Every doula decides for herself what type of supports she is best able to offer, and it is important that you choose the right match for your family.  All doulas will offer some type of consultation, phone, email or personal interview- perhaps a combination.  During your initial conversations, ask questions, tell the doula what you feel you need and look for someone able to communicate clearly and effectively with you.  Finding someone who you can connect with is highly important.  Ask about her background, and what she believes is her role in your birth/parenting experience. 

What things will my doula do?

A skilled doula will provide whatever support is needed when it is needed.  These lists are only the beginning of what a doula might have to offer your family!

During pregnancy this might include:

·         Answering questions about pregnancy, birth and postpartum

·         Helping you find a childbirth education course best suited to your desires

·         Basic Childbirth preparation if needed

·         An ear to listen to worries and fears

·         A list of local resources for pregnancy, birth and postpartum

·         Encouragement and support for the truly valuable job of pregnancy

During labor this might include:

·         Telephone communication to help you determine whether you are actually in labor

·         Physical support

·         Massage

·         Encouragement

·         Connection to the sacred circle of women throughout history who have supported each other through the birthing process

·         An extra person for you, TY so your partner can eat/rest if needed

·         The ‘bag of tricks’… all the techniques and skills she personally has learned to help a laboring woman through this special process.  This could include many, many things: hypno-techniques, vocalizations, acupressure, counterpressure, visualization, effleurage, meditation, movement techniques, positioning ideas, the list goes on.

During the postpartum period this might include:

·         Help adjusting to your new role as parents

·         Parental mentoring

·         Breastfeeding support

·         Bottle feeding support

·         Community resource connections

·         Telephone support, even at those middle of the night hours…

·         Techniques for handling the high needs or fussy baby

·         Babywearing lessons

·         Basic infant care

·         Help with sibling adjustment

·         Light household work

·         Accompaniment to post partum appointments for physical support

·         Listening ear, a space to process your birth story

·         Information and a watchful eye for the signs of the baby blues or postpartum depression