Labor doulas
As your labor doula, we are present throughout the labor, delivery and for the first hour or so after birth. We will also attend pre-natal visits with our clients if requested.
Physical and Emotional Support
Labor doulas are trained to offer comfort measures such as massage, acupressure, hot and cold cloths, or other non-medical techniques requested by the mother. We provide emotional support when the mother may feel overwhelmed or exhausted, giving encouragement to go on with the pre-arranged birth plan, or to be flexible if an unplanned intervention becomes necessary. We support the birth partner as well, reminding them that childbirth is a normal physiological process, offering tips on what to expect and how to support their partners, and even letting them take a rest if needed.
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Supporting Empowered Communication
Doulas are trained to communicate effectively yet assertively with hospital staff, serving as an unbiased, non-judgmental liaison between the client and the medical staff. If there’s a change in plans, or an intervention is called for, the doula helps to communicate the needs and desires of both parties, with the ultimate goal of helping the parents make an informed decision. However, the doula never speaks on behalf of the parents.
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Holding the Memories
At the core of labor doula work is the notion of holding a protective space around the mother, satisfying her physical and emotional needs, empowering her to continue through the challenging periods during labor, and preserving the memories of her experience so she can completely surrender to the experience of the birth. Some doulas are asked to photograph the labor and delivery, and afterwards, they help the mother process her experience and integrate it into her new identity as a mother. If this is something you are interested in, let us know. We also offer referrals to maternity and newborn photographers.
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