Why labour alone when you can feel more confident and in control with the continuous support of a Doula by your side every step of the way?

No matter how prepared you think you are for your labour you may still be wondering:

• How will I know I am in labour?
• How will I remember all I have learned and be able to apply it during labour?
• What if labour is really long and tiring what will I do?
• I want to have a natural birth- how can I make this happen?
• What if I go to the hospital too early and they send me home?
• What if my doctor or Midwife is not on-call when I go into labour and I get someone I don’t know?
• Who will support me when my partner gets tired or does not know what to do?

Childbirth is a very physical and emotional time. You cannot know what will actually happen and how you will respond until you are in labour . A Doula provides physical, and emotional support as well as words of encouragement, massage, suggestions for positions and an overall sense of calm to the labouring environment.

Studies have shown that having a Doula present at birth results in:

• 50% reduction in cesarean birth rates
• 25% shorter labour
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in Oxytocin use
• 30% reduction in Analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps or vacuum deliveries

Women who have used a Doula are more satisfied with their birth experience, feel more confident in their ability to mother, bond faster with their newborn, are less likely to have post-partum depression, and are more likely to breastfeed. (Klaus,Kennel, and Kalause 2001)

Benefits for Dads:

• Greater Confidence
• Decreased Anxiety
• Peace of Mind
• Maintaining connection with mother versus feeling like they need to know what to do or need to take care of other things
• Ability to participate in labour at own comfort level-they don’t have to do it all!
• Ability to take breaks during labour and know mom is well supported
• Being reminded to eat, drink, and rest-to take care of themselves
  

Do I need a Doula?

Could you benefit from any of the following ways a doula can support you?

Physical Support:

• Massage
• Double Hip Squeeze
• Counter-pressure
• Hot or cold compresses
• Labor enhancing position changes
  
  Emotional Support:
• Verbal Encouragement
• Caring touch
• Confidence in the birth process
• Woman to woman connection
• Relaxation techniques
• Pain-Coping Practices
  
  Environmental Support:
• Unwelcome visitor/phone call shield
• Aromatherapy
• Music
• Peaceful presence
  
  Informational:
• Advocate your wishes with medical staff
• Benefits, Alternative, and Risks to common interventions
• Suggestions to help partner be involved at their comfort level
• Educate you about your rights as a patient
• Insight about your birthplace’s policies
  

At Cherish I offer a complete Birth Doula Package that includes the following:

Pregnancy

• Meet and Greet: We can speak over the phone or email to set up a time to meet, free of charge. During this time you can ask me questions you may have about me or how I work. I will explain in greater details my services and we can see if we are a good match. Choosing a doula is a very personal decision. The doula you choose needs to be a person with whom you and your family feel comfortable and connected.
• Once you have chosen me I will reserve your due date on my calendar and will be on call 24 hours a day for the two weeks prior and after. We will sign a Letter of Agreement outlining my services and a deposit will be required. We will then schedule another time to meet together during your pregnancy.
• We will meet once (unless another meeting is required) in person during your pregnancy and will spend time together exploring your personal needs and hopes, addressing your fears and concerns, and considering how I might best support you during your birth. We will also work together to develop a postpartum plan to help with the adjustment after the birth.
• In addition to our scheduled appointments, I am also available by phone or email if you want to ask any questions, simply touch base and connect, or our having any concerns you want to address.
• I offer referrals to community resources for pregnancy and family issues, if desired. Pregnancy and childbirth is a time of diverse needs. I am in contact with a wide range of care providers who specialize in the needs of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Labour and Birth

• I require that you call me as soon as you think you are in labour so I can provide telephone support and then come to your home if requested as well as transfer to the hospital with you which will allow you to remain focused on yourself and your baby.
• I will support you physically, emotionally and relationally. I am not a medical care provider and as such do not make diagnoses or perform medical tasks. Rather I am attuned to your needs for comfort, assurance, validation, encouragement, and touch. I will be a calm presence to help you focus, and will always support your work at hand, and the unique ways you will discover within yourself to give birth. I provide physical comfort measures, a knowledge of birth and medical support, and care from someone who needs nothing from you, but seeks only to be present to you in the moment as it happens.
  
• I help to protect the birth space, creating an environment where you might feel safe and nurtured, allowing you to birth unselfconsciously.
• Though there is much I can do to support you, perhaps the greatest offering I bring is my ability to bear witness to your birth: its story, your dignity and power as you find your own way through labor’s labyrinth, your challenges and strengths, vulnerability and rite of passage. No one can give birth for you; neither must you be alone.
• I do NOT replace your partner in any way. If anything, the partner is brought even more into the birthing process, offering his or her own support to you, knowing that they too are supported as they become parents.
• I stay with you after the birth for one or two hours to ensure you are settled in and comfortable. I can answer any questions you may have, am able to support you in beginning to breastfeed- if desired, and to honor you in what you have just experienced. I then leave so you and your loved ones can rest and bond together as a new family.

Postpartum

• In the hours and days following the birth I am available for phone and email support. I can answer questions you may have about newborn care or breastfeeding, or simply offer support for the huge transition you are embarking upon.
• I will come visit you as soon as you return home from the hospital and again once or twice within the first few weeks after your baby’s birth. This is a time for you to share any part of your birth story you want, to be heard and honored. I can answer any questions you may have in reviewing the birth, and offer postpartum comfort measures, explanations of newborn characteristics and care, and breastfeeding assistance.
• If you require more support after labour my postpartum Doula Services are also available and you will benefit from purchasing a package prior to your baby’s birth to ensure I have availability, but I will do all I can to be available if your needs change after the birth.
• If requested I will happily take pictures during your labour. I acknowledge that you may be in vulnerable or exposed positions and I most definitely respect this and will try to be as discrete as possible.
• During your labour I will be taking notes of how your labour is progressing and some of the more memorable moments. You will receive a copy of these notes which is a beautiful keepsake of the journey you and your family have taken.

• Read more Frequently Asked Questions about Birth Doulas.
• Learn more about Birthing From Within ® Prenatal Classes.
• Learn more about Postpartum Doula Services.