What does a doula do?

I provide informational support throughout your family’s journey. Once I am hired, I am available to you for ongoing questions and support via text and email. I aim to provide my clients with current, evidence-based information and an ever-growing bank of community resources so no question goes unanswered and no need goes unmet. I offer thorough prenatal education sessions to discuss everything from the physiology of birth and personal labor preferences to infant-feeding options and newborn care expectations. Together we cover the A-Z of your perinatal experience!

I provide emotional support through every challenge and success you may face. You can count on me to be your cheerleader, guru, anchor, and confidante, making sure your needs are heard and your feelings are held. Everyone could use an unbiased listening ear from time to time, right?

I provide physical support for comfort and coping during labor and postpartum. Comforting touch massage, visualization, progressive relaxation, acupressure, Spinning Babies, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy are some of the methods I utilize and teach you how to apply during labor and birth. Postpartum, I help make your infant feeding experience as comfortable as possible, whether you feed with body or bottle, and facilitate parental rest and nourishment with everything from foot rubs to nourishing in-home meal preparation.

Many modern American practices surrounding birth and postpartum are impersonal, outdated, and not evidence-based or goal-oriented. A doula is present through the perinatal period as non-medical support to keep the expecting family comfortable, calm, informed, safe, and focused while helping to ensure that they are actively participating in their birth and family-building experience instead of merely enduring a series of procedures or interventions.

Recent studies indicate that the continuous support of a doula can...
• Increase the likelihood of spontaneous labor
• Reduce the duration of labor
• Reduce the likelihood of cesarean and instrumental vaginal birth
• Reduce the likelihood of intrapartum analgesia
• Increase satisfaction with the birth experience

Overall, the physical and psychological support a doula provides has been proven to positively impact the well-being of the entire family.