Posted November 5th, 2011
Author: Corrinna Edwards, CD, HPCE, PT
Local doulas: Corrinna Edwards, Tara Thompson, Cynthya Dzialo, Sheri Aizerman, Nicole King, Sekesa Harding
Doulas are priceless. A doula helps facilitate a positive birth experience for all parties involved. She brings forth a calm presence to the birthing room, and provides continuous uninterupted support, which hospital staff can’t replace. She is only focused on the mother and family she is with, unlike the nurses who have paper work, several mothers at once and multiple tasks during the labor and birth.
She assists and encourages partner involvment. Fathers, mothers, sisters, friends who are not trained or experienced with attending births get the best of both worlds. They can participate and feel comfortable and confident being involved, and they can have a break when needed, food and sleep. Everybody involved in a birth has work to do and needs rest so their energy stored up when the mother needs their presence most.
A doula provides comfort measures, suggests positions for labor, massage, and her bag of tricks when special circumstances arise. Doulas help increase the chances of having a birth with little or no intervention at all.
Invest in a doula! You only have one opportunity to birth this child, even if you have more children later. A woman always remembers her birth and this memory is imprinted on both the mother’s and the baby’s nervous system.
Give your baby and your family the gift of a doula!
