What is a Birth Doula or Professional Birthing Assistant?
A Birth Doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and informational support to the mother and father before, during and after childbirth.
What are the Benefits of Doula Support to the Mother?
The Benefits Outweigh the Costs 100%
Not only is a Doula able to support the relationship between a mother and partner.
They also:
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Enhance the bonding of mother to baby
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Increase the mother's confidence in her mothering skills
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Help mothers see their bodies are strong and capable
Doula births result in:
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Decreased postpartum depression
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Mother's view of the birthing experience is in positive terms
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More satisfaction
What Effect Does the Presence of a Doula Have on Babies?
Studies have shown that babies born with Doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.
What Effect Does the Presence of a Doula Have on Birth Outcomes?
Dozens of Research Studies have conclusively shown that having a Doula not only helps the mother and father, but also increases the chance of them having a healthier birth and baby. Numerous clinical studies have found that the presence of a Doula reduces:
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Episiotomies
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C-section by 50%
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Shortens labor by 25%
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Epidural requests by 60%
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Pitocin use by 40%
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Analgesia use by 30%
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Forceps/vacuum use by 40%
My View On Birth
Pregnancy, birth and babies....I love it all! I view birth as an opportunity for healing and growth. This is also an opportunity to listen and work with your body. It's a natural process but every birthing person should feel free to do it their own way and be respected and supported in choosing that. I love assisting parents in having a rewarding and positive birth experience. This is a parent experience, not just a mother experience. I enjoy helping the partner be involved in the process. I bring a lot of unique qualities to the birth experience. I draw from all the things that I do at the Healing Tree such as dance, yoga, meditation, massage and energy work. I am always so grateful and honored to assist and support a birthing Goddess in bringing an Angel Earthside. I have assisted parents with all kinds of unique situations such as single moms, twin births, surrogacy, vbacs, military and more.
