BIRTH SUPPORT
As a birth doula, I provide informational, emotional and physical support to the birthing person and their partner during pregnancy, labour and delivery through to 6-weeks postpartum. Whether you are under the care of an obstetrician or midwife, giving birth in a hospital, in your home, or birth centre, natural or medically assisted birth, I am here for you!
In the weeks leading up to your birth, together we explore your fears and strengths to create a customized childbirth education and birth preferences plan for your unique birth experience. I support communication with your health care provider to ensure that you are receiving all of the information you need to confidently make informed decisions about your birth.
In the early stages of labour, I am a text or phone call away! I provide coaching support for you and your partner. When you are in active labour, I meet you at your birthing place where I provide continuous hands-on labour support making suggestions for labour progression, helping you to relax and provide non-medical pain management using massage, counter pressure, TENS machine and rebozo techniques; and continue to support you until 2-hours after delivery. As your doula I do not replace the role of your partner but help enhance the shared experience that is your birth.
During the postpartum period, I provide support with infant care, feeding, newborn behaviours, transitioning into life with a newborn and postpartum healing. When it is finally time to say "Goodbye!", I make referrals to programs and support in the community.
FAQS
WHAT IS A DOULA?
A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and the postpartum period. Doulas provide laboring mothers with educational, physical and emotional support. Doulas offer support to the pregnant couple prior, during and after the baby is born.
WHEN SHOULD I HIRE A DOULA?
Whenever you want! Some people decide they want to hire a doula when they are just 10 weeks pregnant, other people have decided last minute they wanted extra support. Looking early for a doula will give you the extra time to sit down with a couple different doulas. Hiring a doula early on also gives you more time to build rapport and a trusting relationship.
DOES A DOULA REPLACE MIDWIFE/OB/NURSE?
No. Doulas do not replace medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the birthing person and to enhance communication between the birthing person and medical professionals.
DOES A DOULA MAKE DECISIONS ON MY BEHALF?
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. As your doula, I provide informational and emotional support, while respecting the birthing person's decisions.
WILL A DOULA MAKE MY PARTNER FEEL UNNECESSARY?
No, a doula is supportive to both the birthing person and their partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DOULA?
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labours are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Women who use doulas report having more positive feelings about their childbirth experience.
39% Decrease in the risk of Cesarean.
15% Increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth.
10% Decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief.
On average shorter labours by 41-minutes.
38% Decrease in the baby's risk of a low APGAR score.
31% Decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience.
WHAT IF I KNOW I WANT AN EPIDURAL?
Many clients who have an epidural in their birth plan still hire doulas. Your doula will come to your home to support you during the intensity of early labour and will guide you along to the hospital. It's also good to keep in mind that sometimes labours progress too quickly to receive an epidural, or the anesthesiologist may be unavailable. In this situation your doula will help you with the intensity of labour if your epidural is delayed or unavailable.
WHAT IS VIRTUAL DOULA SUPPORT?
This is online doula support brought to you in the comfort of your home! This online client-centered care is tailored specifically to the needs of the expecting individual and their support person. All client check-ins are done face-to-face using the Zoom app and last up to 2 hours, as well as unlimited text and phone support in between check-ins.
During your prenatal check-ins I will cover all things pregnancy, birth, baby and postpartum. This is the perfect time to ask any and every question you might have. Remember the goal of the check-ins to have you feeling informed and confident going into your birth! Our conversations will be focused around topics such as:
How will I know when I’m in labour?
When to go to the hospital or birth center?
When should you call triage or your midwife?
Stages of Labour
Partner’s Role
Comfort Measures
Relaxation Techniques
Medications and Common Interventions
Cesarean Section
Baby Care (Soothing, Diapering, Bathing, Feeding, Infant Sleep)
Transitioning Into Life With a Newborn
The Postpartum Experience
Our postpartum check-ins are a good time and place to let it all out - literally and figuratively! Here is where we will unpack your birth experience and discuss what the postpartum period will look like for you and your family. During these check-ins I provide support and recommendations with:
Feeding
Infant Care
Postpartum Healing and Self-Care
Navigating Life with a Newborn
Carving Some Time For You, Your Relationship with Your Partner, and Your Family
Before we say our final goodbyes I will make referrals if needed for additional support.