Why Choose a Doula?

"A doula, also known as a birth companion, is defined as a non-medical person who assists a woman, and her spouse/family, before, during and after child birth, by providing assistance and emotional support." 

My job as a doula is to assist you in any way that I can before, during and after your labour. Labour can often seem scary and overwhelming, especially in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses. Having someone there, like myself, who is a non-medical assistant can be a huge asset to your birth experience. Although you may not believe a doula is needed in your case because of a spouse or family member being present, you may be mistaken. During your labour, spouses and family members are often nervous and on edge; this energy greatly effects the mother, and often causes the same fears and nerves to arise in her. Having a trained birth professional like myself creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere, which will greatly benefit the family and the mother.   

Benefits of using a Birth doula:
According to DONA International and other research, there are many benefits to using a continuous support person during birth.

Many studies found:

• labours tend to be shorter and the chances of spontaneous vaginal birth is increased
• the decreased use of Pitocin (labour inducing drug) and extraction tools
•  a reduced number of cesarean sections
• less requests for pain medication, including epidurals
• many women just feel much more satisfied with their experience

Also, the use of a doula assists with more success in breast feeding and less chance of suffering from postpartum depression due to an increased confidence in parents with continuous support. 

Even if I am not the right doula for you, I highly recommend that you hire a doula for the best possible birth experience.