831-246-1191

As your doula, you can expect me to:

• Understand the physiology of birth and your emotional needs during labor
• Assist you and your partner in preparing for and carrying out your plans for birth
• Stay with you throughout active labor and the entire birth experience
• Provide emotional support and varied physical comfort measures
• Give you an objective viewpoint and assistance in getting the information you need to make good decisions
• Facilitate communication between you, your partner, and clinical care providers
• Allow your partner to participate at his/her own comfort level
• Craft professional-quality pregnancy, birth, and family portrait photography

What is a doula?

The word doula comes from ancient Greek and now refers to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during, and just after childbirth."*

Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labors are shorter with fewer complications, and babies are healthier and breastfeed more easily.

Below are some statistics from nine nationwide studies over 18 years showing how doulas improve the birth experience by consistently reducing hospital stays and the need for certain medical procedures.

With a doula, a mother is:

• 40% less likely to need or use pitocin
• 35% less likely to use pain medication during labor and birth
• 60% less likely to request an epidural
• 57% less likely to need forceps during birth
• 51% less likely to need or have a Cesarean Section
• 86% more likely to achieve a VBAC

In addition, a doula typically saves the mother 1-2 hours of labor and she leaves the medical center 6-8 hours earlier.

*(Klaus, Kennell, Klaus, in Mothering the Mother)

Choosing a support person for your birth is a very personal matter. I do encourage you to contact me so we can discuss your individual needs and desires for doula care.

deidrethedoula@gmail.com

831-246-1191