A Labor Doula is:

A woman who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The doula is trained to deliver emotional & physical support from home to hospital. The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information sources to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor.

Your labor doula may help you develop a birth plan, teach visualization, laboring positions, and breathing skills useful for labor. Providing you with information on birth options & childbirth classes.

A Postpartum Doula is:

Postpartum Doulas are knowledgeable professionals who assist families during the critical period immediately after the birth of their baby. A Postpartum Doula "Mothers the Mother" and offer physical, emotional, and informational support to the family as practical help.

The doula expertise in mother and baby care enables her to assist with postpartum comfort measures, breastfeeding support, non-judgemental guidance in infant care techniques, information on normal postpartum care and healing, and family emotional assistance through this major transition. She has a deep respect for the family structure and know how to balance information and help in a way which empowers the new parents to care for their own baby, while at the same time offering guidance and support.

She also does not provide medical care for the mother or the baby but she provides extensive information regarding maternal/child health during the normal postpartum period.

Benefits of Doula Use:

• C-sections reduces by 50%
• Length of labor reduces by 50%
• Oxytocin use reduced by 40%
• Use of narcotics reduced by 30%
• Forceps reduced by 30%
• Epidurals reduced by 60%

Long-term benefits:

• Improved breastfeeding
• Increased time spent wih baby
• Decreased postpartum depression