Doula Services
What is a Doula?
Doula (pronounced: DOO-luh) is a Greek word meaning female servant. It refers to a specific servant who supported the mother of a household through pregnancy, childbirth and the early childhood stages of parenting.
There are three main types of doulas:
- Antepartum Doula – serves the mother during pregnancy, when complications such as bedrest cause a mom to require extra help before the baby arrives.
- Labor/Birth Doula – serves the mother by educating her and spending time getting to know her during pregnancy, then supporting her physically, emotionally, and informationally during labor and childbirth.
- Postpartum Doula – serves the mother after birth, by assisting her to get to know and understand her newborn as well as supporting her own recovery both physically and emotionally.
Whatever your specific need during the “childbearing year”, we’ve got you covered!
Benefits of Hiring a Birth Doula
A birth doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. The doula’s purpose is to help women have a memorable and empowering birth experience. During delivery a doula is in constant and close proximity to the mother. She has the ability to provide comfort with pain relief methods including breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and labor positions. Doulas also encourage partner participation and offer reassurance.
A doula acts as an advocate for the mother, encouraging and helping her fulfill specific desires she might have for her birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother experience a positive and safe birth, whether it is a natural birth or a cesarean.
According to published studies, doulas can improve the health of both mother and newborn, and can even save lives. The following is a list of some of the proven benefits experienced by families who have chosen to have a doula present during childbirth:
- Reduced chance of needing a Cesarean Section
- Reduced epidural or other painkiller use
- Reduced use of oxytocin (Pitocin)
- Reduced duration of labor
- Reduced use of forceps
- Reduced use of vacuum extraction
- Reduced chance of health complications and hospitalizations for baby
- Reduced chance of maternal fever and infection
- Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
- Reduced incidence of postpartum depression
- Reduced levels of anxiety
- Increased rate of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Increased chance of successful breastfeeding
- Result in a more positive birth experience
- Mothers feel more in control
- Mothers feel more secure
- Mothers have higher regard and increased sensitivity towards baby
Although having loved ones such as a spouse with a laboring woman provides irreplaceable comfort and support, published studies continue to show that the support of a well-trained, experienced woman (a doula) results in the greatest benefits.
What doulas do NOT do:
- Judge you for the decisions you make
- Let their personal values or biases get in the way of caring for you, there is no pressure to make decisions based on their personal preferences
- Make decisions for you. Doulas help provide the information necessary for you to make informed decisions. This includes reminding you if there is a departure from your birth plan
- Take over the role of your husband or partner
- Deliver the baby
- Change shifts
- Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure monitoring, fetal heart tones, vaginal exams, or other medical procedures that fall under the legal definition of practicing medicine
- Provide information regarding dosages or advise you about prescription or alternative medications, give medical advice, or diagnose conditions
- Speak to the staff on your behalf. Doulas will discuss your concerns and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff
- Doulas are not medical professionals
If you choose to hire Sacred Knowledge Doula Care as your Birth Doula, these services will be provided:
- Unlimited phone/text support after becoming a client
- Assistance with birth planning
- One prenatal visit in your home
- Continuous support during your labor, delivery, and a minimum of two hours after delivery
- Breastfeeding support
- One postnatal visit after delivery for support with breastfeeding and birth processing
Meet the newest additions to our family!
Jeremy, Jonas, and Justin
“Whenever and however you give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life.”
~ Ina May Gaskin ~
