Many People Been Asking What Is A Doula And What Can They Do For Me? Here is something I put together to answer those ?s What is a Doula? A doula is a woman who is trained to provide information about healthy pregnancy, help you prepare for birth and parenting and provide support to you and your family before, during and just after birth. What Can You Expect from a Doula? Prenatal Meetings with a Doula: The doula can help you prepare for childbirth, talk with you about healthy pregnancy, practice breathing, relaxation and ways to cope during labor. You can decide how often you would like to meet to prepare for labor and get to know each other. A minimum or three to four times is a good idea. Your doula is also available by phone. The doula can also connect you with local resources if needed. Support During Labor and Birth: Your doula will stay with you throughout labor. She will provide continuous emotional support giving you and your partner support and encouragement. She also can make suggestions for comfort and coping during labor, breathing and relaxation techniques. After the Birth: The doula usually stays for a short time after the birth. Your Doula will also visit you at home after you are settled in with your new baby to answer any questions about things like breastfeeding, baby care, and to talk about your birth. What Doulas Dont Do Doulas DO NOT do medical tasks like checking blood pressure, fetal heart rate, it check your cervix for dilation/labor. They dont speak for you when decisions need to be made. They do not talk to other organizations or agencies about you unless you give permission. They dont make medical choices. Decisions are the responsibility of you and your partner. Doulas take no personal it professional responsibility for the outcome of the birth. What Doulas Can Do Your doula CAN offer suggestions and give you choices. The doula can help you understand typical labor as well as understand your own individual birth experience. She can help you get the information that you need to make a informed decisions about the birth of your baby. What You Can Do to Get the Most From Your Doula? You can meet with your doula, at your home or the clinic. Talk to your doula about questions you have about pregnancy and labor. If you move it get a new phone number make sure you update your Doula with new phone numbers and address. Remember that your doula is there just for you and she can help you better if you tell yet what you need. Her satisfaction comes from helping you with the birth of your baby. When your doula signs the agreement form with you, she is planning on being there for your birth. She puts her life on hold to be available to you got your labor and birth. Please be respectful of her time by keeping her informed of changes and letting her know when labor begins. Doulas are paid either by your insurance carrier or some can do based on a scaling fee if you can not afford full cost. And some even do it for free.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:56:41 +0000