Doula Services

“When birth is allowed to unfold naturally, in its own time and in a supportive setting,
the kind of pain that lives in the common (mis)perception of birth just doesn’t exist.”
-Jenny West

“How women give birth matters! It literally changes who we are and the confidence with which we parent and care for the needs of our little ones. A confident mother knows the wants and needs of her children and is able to listen to her intuitive voice and divine inspiration in providing the care and nurturing needed. My desire as a doula and professional labor support person is to help facilitate and advocate a couple’s ideal birthing experience as well as guide them in working together to bring forth the babies they created in love. Marital relationships are strengthened and children are welcomed and guided in a loving manner as they grow to maturity.”

The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional labor companion who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Currently, Debbie offers professional labor support as a birth doula.

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

A birth doula

Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
Stays with the woman throughout the labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
Allows a woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level

DONA International Doulas

DONA (Doulas of North America) International doulas are trained to work within evidence-based standards of practice.

During labor, these skills are medically proven to make a true difference in the experience of birth, decreasing interventions, including cesareans, and increasing maternal satisfaction.

Effects on babies include shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries when a birth doula is present; and higher occurrences of successful breastfeeding and better bonding experiences.

For partners a doula can help them share in the birth at a more comfortable level, including offering guidance and making suggestions for physical comfort measures.

What is a doula?

As a doula, I assist women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I have been certified through DONA International (Doulas of North America & International) approved program, and have the following birthing experience: RN assisting women in labor and birthing since 1985; childbirth educator since 1994; HypnoBirthing® Practitioner since 2007; mother of five boys and biological mother of three boys. I draw upon my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and, as needed, communication with the birthing facility staff to make sure you have the information you and your partner need to make informed decisions as they arise. I will provide reassurance and perspective to you and your birth companion, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or birthing facility.

Choosing a doula.

You are welcome to call me or schedule a face to face meeting at my home to become acquainted and ask any questions you may have regarding my services before choosing to hire me as your doula, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. I would recommend that you interview at least 3-4 different doulas to get a feel for our services, our personalities, and choose the best fit for you. If you choose to hire me, then I will want to become familiar with your birthing philosophy, your birth preferences, including your preference of labor management options. I also want to know your usual ways of coping with discomfort or fatigue and how you and your partner foresee working together. If questions come up, you may also call, text, or email any questions or concerns and I will respond as quickly as I am able.

I will also inform you of times when I am unavailable for labor support. To cover those times, I will arrange for a back up doula whom you may also meet.

When you are in labor.

I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need me, so I can make arrangements for my children. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide together if I should come right away or wait for further change. I usually need at least 30-60 min. to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet—at your home or the birthing facility of your choice. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I or my back-up doula will remain with you throughout labor and birth.

After birth.

I usually remain with you for 1-2 hrs. after birth, until you are comfortable, breastfeeding has been established, and your family is ready for quiet time together.

I am available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth of your baby and would like to get together with you within 1-2 wks. after your birth to see how you are doing, to review your birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role and services.

What doulas do not do.

As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others, even though I may be trained and experienced in those assessments. I am there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy.

I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision and will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth preferences.

I do not speak to the staff regarding matters of decisions that need to be made. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest possible options or questions to ask, but you or your birth companion will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.

Failure of a doula to provide service.

I will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, with a rapid labor). If my failure to attend your birth is due to my error but we have met for the prenatal visit(s) OR if it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control or your failure to call me, I will keep the retaining fee, but will refund the second installment payment. If your labor progresses rapidly and I am enroute when baby is born, I will keep all of the base fee.