Embracing Your Birth

Your pregnancy and childbirth are events that you will remember for a lifetime. You will replay your baby's birth story over and over again for the rest of your life.

The Birth Doula is the modern day link in the tradition of women helping women through childbirth. She enhances the birth experience through information, empathy, and physical assistance. A Doula is an invaluable part of the birth team in any setting ~ hospital, home, or birth center.

As a Doula, I nurture and care for the expectant mother.
I "mother the mother" while protecting the special bond between new parents.

A Doula does not interfere with, or replace the support person, but instead works with him/her to create a strong and supportive team.

A Doula does not leave Mom, giving consistent support. The support person can take a break, get something to eat, make calls, etc., without worrying about mom being left alone.

A Doula helps keep Mom calm with relaxation, massage, and emotional support. Educational support is also a major factor in keeping the laboring couples calm and informed.

If the support person forgets a technique, the Doula refreshes the support person's memory to enable him/her to be effective for mom.

The Doula can be contracted to help moms who may not have a support person available.
If mom desires an un-medicated birth, the help of a Doula greatly increases the chances of her success.

The success of a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) is higher. The Doula helps in significant ways, protecting your experience, acting as your advocate and providing support for mom, the support person, and family members.

If you decide to use medications, the Doula will fully inform you of all the options so you can make the best decision for your personal needs.

Support is unconditional.

It is listening... not judging, not telling your own story.

Support is not offering advice... it is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug...caring.

We are here to help women discover what they are feeling... not to make the feelings go away.

We are here to help a woman identify her options... not to tell her which options to choose.

We are here to discuss steps with a woman... not to take the steps for her.

We are here to help a woman discover her own strength.

We are here to help a woman discover she can help herself... not to take that responsibility for her.

We are here to help a woman learn to choose... not to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult choices.

~Anonymous