Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Giving birth is a life changing event in a woman's life.
I am glad you are considering using a doula for the birth of your child.
As your doula I want to help you have the birth you desire.
What is a Doula?
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek and is now used to refer to someone experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.
Studies have shown that when Doulas attend births, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
Why use a Doula?
Childbirth is a very emotionally charged event. Having someone there who is experienced in childbirth can be comforting. Doulas recognize the emotional and physical aspect of labor and can provide reassurance and help with comfort measures.
Doulas are not only beneficial during unmedicated births, but also during medicated births.
Physicians, nurses and midwives are responsible for monitoring labor, the woman’s and baby’s medical care, as well as physical well-being. Doulas recognize that childbirth has an impact on a woman’s personal, emotional and spiritual well-being. A Doula will therefore provide continuous emotional and physical support to the mother before, during and after birth.
Dads and Birth Doulas?
Today many fathers are expected and eager to be involved in their child’s birth, taking classes, going to prenatal visits, reading books. Yet at such an emotionally charged time as labor it can be a lot to expect from the father-to-be, partner and labor coach. A Doula can help out during this time reminding him of positions for labor and massage techniques if he is more hands-on. Or providing the family with information to help the family make informed decisions and to facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and medical care providers.
A Doula is not there to replace your partner—rather, she is there to work together with your partner in order to support you, the laboring mother.
For more information on services and pricing or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Nerissa J. Velten, CD(DONA)
(805) 907-9000
or
