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What is a doula?
The word doula is a Greek word meaning "woman servant". The doula's job is to provide non-medical, physical, emotional and informational support to a mother and her partner before, during and after childbirth. A doula usually spends some time getting to know the family before the birth, listening to the desires of the mother and partner with the intention of making this birth the best one it can be.

What does a Doula Do?
Whether you chose to birth at a hospital, birthcenter, or at home. Your primary care provider and nursing staff cannot be with you 100% of the time you labor. A doula provides constant support to you and your partner. I can arrive for your birth as early as you need and remain with you throughout the whole birth and 1-2 hours after  to make sure you are comfortable and to provide breast feeding support if desired.

How will my family benefit from a doula?
Numerous clinical studies have found  that a doula’s presence at birth

tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications

reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience

reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
 
reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive  support can:

Feel more secure and cared for 
 
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics

Have greater success with breastfeeding

Have greater self-confidence

Have less postpartum depression