Professional labor support services in Rochester and Southeastern Minnesota

What is a doula?
The word doula comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "woman's servant." A doula accompanies a woman during childbirth to offer her physical, emotional and informational support during one of the most important events of her life.

A doula's services can include prenatal education sessions, alternative and complimentary physical comfort measures, and positive reassurance during your journey from pregnancy through delivery and into parenthood.

Doulas are trained and experienced in supporting women through childbirth. A doula’s presence is continuous and her sole responsibility and focus is to support the mother through the birth experience. Some women rely heavily on their doula's support; other women enjoy having their doula as part of a larger "support team." A doula is flexible and can adapt her support role during labor, based on the mother's and father’s wishes.

Why do women choose to use a doula?
First-time mothers, as well as women who have previously birthed children, find doulas to be helpful during the childbirth experience. Doulas are trained and experienced in helping women through childbirth. A doula's sole responsibility is to support her client: her presence is continuous and her focus is to support the mother through the birth experience. Some woman rely heavily on their doula's support; other women enjoy having their doula as part of a larger "support team." A doula is flexible and can adapt her role during labor, based on the mother's wishes and the father's desire to participate.

What are the benefits of having a doula?
Women who use doulas are generally more satisfied with their birth experience, require fewer interventions during birth and have higher rates of breastfeeding than women without doula support.* Women who use doulas are:

Additionally, women with doula support experience the following after the birth of their child:

Does a doula replace the dad during childbirth?
Absolutely not! The father has a special, intimate attachment to the mother and baby that the doula will never have. A father's presence alone is often a significant source of encouragement and support to the mother. A doula will work with the father, encouraging him to participate in the birth based on his and the mother's comfort levels. Some fathers prefer a high level of involvement; others simply wish to hold the mother's hand and offer verbal encouragement. As your doula, I will adapt my support based on your wishes and the father's comfort level. I will work with the father, demonstrating comfort techniques and offering suggestions, to help him participate to the degree that he wishes.

My doctor says I don't need a doula because a labor and delivery nurse will be with me most of the time during my labor.
Many hospitals provide one-on-one nursing care during your labor; others staff nurses so that they are responsible for two or more patients at a time. While labor and delivery nurses may be available to provide some support for you during labor, they have multiple responsibilities, including doing medical exams, reporting to the charge nurse/obstetrician, filling out paperwork, and checking the equipment being used to monitor you and your baby. These important responsibilities can distract them from offering you their full attention and support.

As your doula, my sole responsibility is supporting you continuously; I have no obligations or responsibilities other than supporting you. Unfortunately, you don't know until you arrive at the hospital the type and level of physical and emotional support you will receive from the staff. Choosing and hiring a doula you know and trust before labor begins can be a great source of comfort, and you no longer need to worry whether the hospital staff will provide the physical and emotional support you need.

I will work with the hospital staff to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible and that your wishes for your birth are being acknowledged and followed. I will not interfere with your medical care or any medical procedures you choose to have done or that the hospital staff feel are necessary for the health of you and your baby. It is my hope for every birth I attend that I am able to work seamlessly with the hospital staff to provide you the best care and support possible!

Do you expect your clients to labor and deliver without pain medications?
Of course not! This is YOUR birth; only you can make the decisions that are best for you and your baby. If you wish, during our prenatal meetings I will explain the benefits and risks of the different methods of pain relief; you decide if and when you want to use them. One of my goals as your doula is to make sure you are knowledgeable about your options so that you can make a truly informed and confident decision with no regrets. If you do choose pharmacological pain relief, there are still many physical comfort techniques I can offer as well as continuous emotional support and encouragement. Many moms find that the comfort measures used by doulas make the pain bearable, and that they don't require pharmacological pain relief.

What about moms who need or choose Cesarean delivery?
Moms who need or choose Cesarean births also benefit from a doula’s support. In the case of surgical birth, a doula can report to mom what is going on behind the surgical screen, and help mom cope with the side effects of anesthesia, pain medications, IV therapy and catheters. With the surgeon’s permission, a doula may even be able to help your baby latch on and breastfeed while you are being sutured and closed. Additionally, some doctors allow the doula in the operating room when the spinal anesthetic is being administered so that mom has a support person during this uncomfortable time; dads are rarely allowed in the room until after the surgery has begun. Check with your doctor for his or her standard Cesarean procedures. If the baby needs to go the nursery or mom is experiencing complications, the doula can stay with the mother while dad accompanies the baby to the nursery or recovery room.

For my moms who give birth by Cesarean, I like to offer additional hands-on comfort techniques (hand, scalp, and foot massages) during the recovery period. Recovery from a Cesarean is painful, so I like to provide a little bonus to help offset the discomfort.

Can you provide prenatal medical care?
No. Doulas are not medically trained. We are not allowed to make medical decisions for you or perform any medical procedures. Your midwife or obstetrician should provide your medical care during your pregnancy, labor and delivery. As your doula, I will meet with you prenatally to discuss your birth plans, and talk about the benefits and risks of common hospital procedures and interventions used during childbirth. I can provide references to medical studies and journals where this information is found, if you desire.

Where do you attend births?
I attend births wherever my clients choose to have their babies -- in the hospital, at a birth center or in the comfort of their own home. You choose the place, and I'll provide the support! I attend births within a 45-minute drive of Rochester, Minnesota.

Do you teach childbirth education?
No, I am not certified to teach childbirth education at this time. I encourage my clients to prepare mentally and physically for their birth by attending a childbirth preparation class. Most hospitals offer childbirth courses, or you may prefer to find a private teacher who teaches a specific method. Links to education resources can be found on my Resources page, and Rochester-area childbirth educators are included in my Resource List.

During our prenatal meetings, I will demonstrate simple exercises you can do to prepare and strengthen your body for birth. These exercises focus on the three important "B" muscle groups that you will use during birth: your Belly, your Bottom and your Back. Keeping these three areas of your body limber and strong is very important for any birth, but especially if you are planning a natural, unmedicated birth. I will also explain and demonstrate several relaxation techniques to help you relax your body and mind during contractions.

What kind of training do you have?
I have chosen to certify through DONA International (www.dona.org), the world's largest and oldest doula organization. DONA's birth doula training involves required reading; education in childbirth, labor support techniques and breastfeeding; and a three-day workshop with hands-on training from an experienced and certified doula instructor. Certification requirements include practical experience attending births and receiving positive evaluations from doctors, nurses and clients.

What if you can't make it to my birth?
I make every effort to be available 24 hours a day during the two weeks before and after your due date. I don't plan vacations, day trips or other events that could take me more than an hour away from you during that time. Additionally, I always arrange a backup doula for each birth. If for some reason I am unable to be at your birth (an extremely rare occurrence) the backup doula will provide support. If you wish to meet the backup doula before your birth, I can arrange a meeting.

 

**Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.