Maybe the first question is really, WHAT is a Doula? Doula is Greek for *woman servant*. A Doula is a trained professional who emotionally, physically, and spiritually supports the mother during pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, and even in end-of-life situations surrounding miscarriage, stillbirth, and ectopic pregnancies (Bereavement doula). Midwives offer medical assistance, but Doulas are there to support mothers and families in non-medical ways only. She is not a doctor or midwife. She is a helper, a support system, an advocate.

Birth Doulas mentally support and physically assist the mother throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and into the early postpartum hours. They will be there for you in all circumstances - homebirth, hospital birth, birth center, premature or other emergency birth.

Postpartum Doulas assist the family for a min of a week, and frequently longer, following birth, with newborn care, the mother’s physical and emotional recovery, other sibling care, supporting the father in support of the mother, meals, general household tasks.

BIRTH DOULAS:

• Reduce the length of labor by at least 25%

• Lower C-section rates by 50%

• Decrease the use of Pitocin by 40%

• Reduce use of epidurals by 60%

• Higher rates of successful breastfeeding

• Ensure your birth plan is followed

  Stats taken from www.motherhow.com and American Pregnancy Association

  POSTPARTUM DOULAS

• In home physical care of the mother during her recovery

• Newborn care

• Breastfeeding support

• Watch out for and significantly decrease risk of Postpartum depression

• Anxiety support

• Encourage Self-Care for the mother

• Support of the Father

• Sibling care

• Meal preparation

• Household tasks

• Errands

If you have any more questions about what a Doula is or does, or how a Doula could help you in your specific situation (even if you are a veteran mother!), please don’t be afraid to send me an email and ask me anything that is on your mind. I am always happy to answer any questions, no strings attached! See Contact page for email and phone number.