The word ‘Doula’ (pronounced ‘doola’) is a Greek word meaning ‘woman servant or caregiver’. It refers to someone who offers continual emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner before, during and immediately after childbirth. This type of support allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience too.
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of the physiology of labor, but a Doula does not support the mother in a medical role – that is the job of the midwife or doctor. She also does not make decisions for the couple, but she supports them through the decision making process and provides balanced information so the couple can make their own educated decisions.
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of the physiology of labor, but a Doula does not support the mother in a medical role – that is the job of the midwife or doctor. She also does not make decisions for the couple, but she supports them through the decision making process and provides balanced information so the couple can make their own educated decisions.
Having a Doula at your birth can improve your experience in many ways, including:
- 50% less cesarean sections
- Reduction in the use of forceps by 40%
- 60% less requests for epidurals
- 40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) for inductions or augmentations
- 30% reduction in use of pain medication
- 25% reduction in labor length
- Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks post-partum (51% vs. 29%)
- Higher self-esteem (74% vs. 59%), less anxiety (28% vs. 40%) and less depression (10% vs. 23%) at 6 weeks postpartum
A Doula's support can really complement the father's participation in the process. Dads feel more enthusiastic about their contribution to the labor and they feel much less stressed by not being the only support person there. To have someone there who is very familiar with birth can be comforting to help them understand what is normal, what is a variation of normal and what to do about it.
As your Doula, I am professionally qualified and committed to providing the following services:
- On-call 24/7 for your birth
- Physical and emotional support
- Prenatal and postpartum visit in your home or a location agreed upon
- Uninterrupted attendance at your birth by me or or a well-qualified back-up Doula
- Basic Childbirth Education
- Birth Plan Counseling
- Professional Referrals
In addition to being a certified Childbirth Educator (HBCE - HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator), student midwife (AAMI - Ancient Art Midwifery Institute) and an apprentice midwife (Reno Midwifery), I have received Doula Certification Training through DONA (Doulas of North America) on 2 separate occasions (March 2008 and April 2010). I have also had the opportunity to attend many births, in the hospital as well as in the home.
Rates ~
To help you have the most comfortable birth, with all the services mentioned above, the fee is $650. The fee is reduced to $495 if you have taken your Childbirth Education from Peaceful Arrival.
For more information, please contact:
Sheri Uhrig (775-721-9999)
sheri@peacefularrival.com