Related
Information:
•
A doctor reflects on having
a doula
•
Effects of a Doula on the Mother
Infant Pair Following Delivery
•
www.dona.org
What
is a Doula?
Doula
is a Greek term meaning "woman's servant." Research
has shown that women who have a doula or birth attendant
use less pain medication and tend to have shorter labors.
There
is also a strong correlation between the use of doulas and
lower incidence of cesarean sections, pain medication use,
episotomies, pitocin use and other interventions. Mothers
report increased success with breastfeeeding, and feeling
more positive about their birth experience even when things
don't go as planned.
Birth
partners report feeling more relaxed to experience the birth,
because they too are supported.
Chris
Clark is a certified doula with experience in using many
comfort measures: aromatherapy, massage, music, positions,
relaxtion, breathing techniques, acupressure, use of hot
and cold compresses, birthing ball and "TENS"
unit.
Outline
of Doula Services
-
prenatal visits
- support
during entire labor and birth
-
24-hour on call
-
postnatal home visit, includes lactation consult
