What is a Doula?

Also known as a labor assistant, a doula provides emotional and physical support for the laboring woman and her partner. A doula is trained to understand the natural process of birth, in all its aspects, for the purpose of facilitating the best birth experience for parents, baby, and primary care providers.

During pregnancy, a doula can be a wonderful resource, providing a well-rounded, informed perspective on the many choices a mother-to-be has before her.

During labor, a doula is an advocate for mom's birth plan, a friend, and a coach. We offer massage, breathing and meditative techniques to calm, and physical positioning to bring more ease.

Whatever your birth choices -- whether you will be laboring in the hospital, a tub, your home, or a birthing center, we can help make your birth a more conscious, empowering experience.

Why Have a Doula?

Numerous studies have revealed the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, revealed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. When a doula was present, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience.(Hodnett ED. Gates S Hofmeyr GJ. Sakala C. Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.(3) CD003766, 2003.)

Other studies have shown that having a doula as part of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 60%. (Klaus, M., Kennell, J., Klaus, P. Mothering the Mother.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1993. )

Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland secretes natural oxytocin to the bloodstream which causes uterine contractions and also secretes it to the brain, which results in a feeling of well being, drowsiness and a raised pain threshold. Synthetic IV oxytocin cannot cross into the blood stream and brain, so it increases contractions without the positive psychological effects of natural oxytocin.

First Time Doula

I am a new doula -- a BRAND NEW doula.  I have never helped deliver a baby before.  I don't have a single birth under my belt.  What I do have under my belt; however, is a doula training course with a reputable association, a strong knowledge in anatomy and physiology, a deep sense of compassion and empathy, and (what might be the most significant qualification of all) my own experience of birthing my son naturally.
The certification process for a doula has a catch 22.  After the initial training process, the doula has two years to complete a reading list, take a written test, and work as a doula for THREE births.  Many women are hesitant about using a doula with no birth experience, and yet a doula has to have three births in order to become certified.  
This is the process that I embarked on about a year ago when I completed a CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) doula training last Spring.  I did not see this requirement of three births as a hindrance at the time.  After the training, I was excited, to say the least, about starting to work as a doula and finishing the certification process.  Since then I have spoken with several moms about serving as a doula for them, but I am still where I started over a year ago -- BIRTH-LESS, but with a little less enthusiasm.  
Somehow other doulas going through this process have managed to make it through and I know that I will, too.  I still find it frustrating and a little un-nerving, considering I have less than a year to complete three births!  I recently posted something on my facebook profile about needing to attend some births, and someone actually responded!  A mother that I met at a local La Leche League meeting wants to give me a chance and I am excited again!  I trust in the process and am grateful for my first opportunity to help another mother through her birth!
If you are interested in having a doula for your birth, please send me an email or give me a call (843.251.9642).  I would love to meet you and see how I might be able to support you through your birth, too!

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