A birth doula is a trained childbirth assistant who supports families during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum to provide physical, emotional, and informational support. During pregnancy we assist the family to discover their concerns and preferences about childbirth. We accompany women and their partners in labour to help provide a memorable birth experience.

Birth Doula service includes:

Prenatal support

Birth planning

Postpartum support

Continuous, supportive attendance throughout labour and birth

Your doula will schedule two prenatal meetings. This will give us an opportunity to talk in detail about your preferences regarding your birth. Your doula will ask about your knowledge of the birth process, and can provide information and education as needed. You will be invited to share your own personal ways of coping with pain and fatigue. This will help you and your doula decide what internal resources we can draw upon to assist you with the birthing experience. We will discuss how you and your partner foresee working together, and the roles of others who may be attending the birth. Your doula can assist with gathering information to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your birth. We can discuss together what fears and concerns you have regarding the birth. We can review your preferences regarding the use of pain medications and other interventions.

Our role is to help you have a satisfying birth as you define it. The more we explore this in advance, the better we will be able to fulfill this role.

When you are in Labour

When you think labour has begun, call your doula. She can offer help and advice with comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, and massage. My most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.

Your doula will also be recording information for your birth story and can take picture of events you have requested before labour.

After Birth

Your doula will remain with you for a few hours after birth. She will wait until you are comfortable, and the family is ready for quiet time together. She can help with initial breastfeeding, if desired. Our services include two postpartum visits, usually one within three days of the birth and one two weeks postpartum. During these visits, your doula can provide breastfeeding support, baby care tips, referrals to community resources, and a chance to discuss the birth experience. If you are in need of further support, additional visits are always an option.

As a Doula...

We do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks,     vaginal exams, etc.

We do not make decisions for you. We will help you get the information you need     to make your own informed decisions. We will also remind you if there is a     departure from your Birth Plan, and will verify if this is, in fact, your informed     decision.

We will not speak to medical staff regarding matters where health care decisions     are being made. We can discuss your concerns with you and suggest options. We     can support you in discussions with staff as your advocate, making sure you have     the opportunity to discuss concerns, but you or your partner will speak on your     behalf to the medical staff.