What is a doula?

A doula is someone who is aware of and understands the birth process and is there to provide continuous support throughout your experience. Birth doulas help pregnant people and their families by creating space for parents to be supported and make educated, empowered decisions throughout pregnancy, during labor and birth, and after their birth experience through providing emotional, educational, and physical support.

Doulas are not clinicians- we are support systems.  We are there to help foster judgement-free decision-making and  to emotionally and physically support a pregnant person and their family. We work for Mama; not for the doctors, nurses or midwives, and though at times we may advocate for you during birth, we are not adversarial to your clinician and want to help you and the entire birth team arrive at the birth experience you desire.

Research shows having a doula decreases your chances of c-section and medical interventions, and increases healthy and positive emotional responses to the birth experience. In fact, one study showed that the continuous presence of another woman during birth, even when not actively participating in supporting the mother, can increase Mama’s ability to manage pain and decreases c-section rates! While doulas are more often associated with helping to facilitate natural birth,  it is not uncommon for Mamas to hire doulas even if they plan on having an epidural or c-section.

What you can expect from me:

I believe birth is a sacred, transformative life milestone that should be surrounded with compassionate community, nurturing support, and healing energy. I understand birth means many things and looks different for every parent. As your doula, I will prioritize holding space and providing you with emotional, physical, spiritual, and educational support so that you can make judgement-free, informed choices throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.

This support can look like:

• answering general questions about preconception care and directing you to a variety of resources as needed to support you throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond
• helping you find a provider and navigate the healthcare system to the best of my ability
• providing visioning exercises and creative therapies throughout pregnancy to help prepare for birth
• preparing alongside your birth partner/anyone who will be attending your birth, including practicing birthing positions for active labor pain management and developing a birth preference plan
• answering questions as they come up and providing resources and information throughout our time together
• helping you prepare for the immediate postpartum experience, including initiating breast feeding and infant-mother bonding, and holding space for spiritual and cultural ritual as desired
• postpartum care taking for you and your infant at home for up to six weeks postpartum (and beyond)