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baby moon
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~ for birth and life ~
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DOULAS
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"Hiring a doula was the smartest thing we ever did! She made everything so much easier--not just for me, but also for my husband. Now he tells every pregnant couple we meet to HIRE A DOULA!"
-Kylena, 4/06 |
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| What is a doula? | ||||
| A doula is a professional labor assistant who is trained and experienced in childbirth. Her role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, massage, and positioning. She also assists families to gather information about the course of their labor and their options. By helping to meet the physical and emotional needs of a laboring mother around the clock, doulas also provide invaluable support to fathers or other birth partners.
Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Doulas are not employees of the hospital, and therefore have no other commitments during a your labor. This allows a doula to provide one-on-one, continuous labor support (without shift changes) throughout labor and early postpartum, according to your needs. Having the continuous, reassuring support of a trained labor assistant chosen by you can dramatically transform your experience.The assistance of a doula throughout labor has been shown in numerous scientific trials to improve both the physical and psychological well-being of the mother. In order to better understand how a doula can help you through labor, take a look at the results of a landmark study conducted in Houston in 1991. This study of 412 healthy, first-time mothers giving birth at term showed that in doula-assisted births: ~ Cesarean section rate is reduced by 50%. This and other studies show that women who are accompanied by doulas in childbirth are more satisfied with their birth experiences. They feel more confident, are more likely to interact closely with their infants, and are less likely to have postpartum depression. Mothers who are cared for by labor doulas are much more likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding and fewer newborns have complications. We also know that the benefits of doula-assisted births extend far beyond the birth day itself, and affect the whole family. Amazingly, 71% of first-time mothers giving birth with a doula in the 1991 study reported that their relationship with their partner was improved after giving birth, compared to only 30% in the no-doula group. By six weeks postpartum, 85% of the doula moms reported increased satisfaction with their partners, compared to only 49% of the no-doula group. The comfort and reassurance offered by the doula is beneficial regardless of the use of pain medications. Even so, many women find that when a doula is added to their labor support team the pain of labor becomes much more manageable. Studies show that some women feel less need for pain medications, or may postpone them until later in labor. For moms considering a natural childbirth, including a doula in your birth plan can dramatically improve your odds of success. In the 1991 study, 55% of doula-assisted mothers were able to deliver their babies naturally (without anesthesia, medications, or forceps), compared to only 12% in the no-doula group. A doula is there to help you have a safe and satisfying birth--however you define it. Your doula recognizes birth as a key life experience that you will remember all your life, and she is there to nurture and protect the memory of your birth experience, for both you and your partner.
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| Doulas and Dads | ||||
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Some dads who don't fully understand the doula's role feel skeptical at first and worry that they will be "replaced" in the delivery room. No one can replace the vital role that the partner (who may be the baby's father or another loved one) plays in providing support for the laboring woman. A doula cannot make some of the unique contributions that the partner makes, such as intimate knowledge of the woman and love for her and her child. At the same time, a doula's experience and reassurance of what's normal in birth can be especially comforting for dads, whose knowledge in this area may be (understandably) rather limited, and for moms who may be confused by the intensity of the sensations during labor. The doula is there in addition to, not instead of, the partner. By insuring that his needs are met (food, drink, reassurance), and by building his confidence, the doula can actually help the woman and partner to work more closely together. As one father said, "I heaved a big sigh of relief when she (the doula) walked in. I hadn't realized how much pressure I had been feeling. She not only calmed my wife, she calmed me down." By relieving some of the fear, anxiety, and pressure of expectations, doulas can help dads to be more fully present for the birth of their child. Ideally, the doula and the partner make the perfect support team for the woman, complementing each other's strengths. For more information about how a doula can help you have a safe and satisfying birth as you define it, contact us or visit All About Doulas and www.dona.org.
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| The Research | ||||
| If statistics bore you, skip to the summary: Studies show that the more attention a woman receives in labor, the better the outcome for the mom, baby, and family.
Repeated studies have shown that in doula-assisted births: ~ Cesarean section rate is reduced by 50%. New Cochrane Review on effects of "Continuous Support for Women during Childbirth." (Fifteen trials involving 12,791 women.) Synopsis: "Supportive care during labor may involve emotional support, information, and comfort measures. Such care may enhance normal labor processes and thus reduce need for obstetric intervention. Women who received continuous labor support were less likely to use pain medications and were more likely to be satisfied and to give birth 'spontaneously' . In general labor support was more effective when it was provided by women who were not part of the hospital staff." Thorough Listing of Articles and other Published Comments on Doulas
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| Postpartum Doulas | ||||
| Postpartum doulas are women experienced in and knowledgeable about pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, infant care, and breastfeeding. A postpartum doula comes to the home and helps to care for the woman and her baby after the birth by providing help with newborn care and instruction, mother care, assistance with breastfeeding, general family and household support, assistance with other children in the home, and additional resources, as needed.
Some of the benefits of postpartum doula care include increased rates of successful breastfeeding, less maternal exhaustion, frustration, and apprehension during the early weeks, greater understanding of newborn emotional and physical needs and behavior, earlier bonding due to increased maternal confidence, and reduced rates of maternal postpartum depression (and/or shorter duration of depression if it occurs). Postpartum doulas typically care for women and their families during the first 12 weeks after birth. They charge an hourly rate, so you can use them as little or as much as you need--maybe just once or twice, or on a daily or weekly schedule. See Doulas in Central Kentucky for a listing of Postpartum Doulas.
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| Doulas in Central Kentucky | |||||||||||
| The Doulas in our area have a wide variety of experience and expertise in all birth settings. They typically charge $350 - $600, depending on their level of experience. This fee includes at least one prenatal visit and one postpartum visit. It is important to meet more than one doula, so you can be sure you are getting someone with whom you feel comfortable. A Meet the Doulas Night is held every other month at Baby Moon to help you in making your selection. We recommend that you hire your doula during the second trimester, and the earlier the better if you have a particular doula in mind. (Doulas may sometimes book up as much as 4-5 months ahead.) Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Doula.
There are two main certifying organizations for doulas, Doulas of North America (DONA) and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Organization (CAPPA). IMPORTANT NOTE: Doulas work independently and are not affiliated with Baby Moon. They do not carry any endorsement or guarantee from Baby Moon. We encourage you to ask for references and to check those references when hiring a doula. For a referral based on your specific situation, contact us. Certified Doulas | Doulas Working Towards Certification | Postpartum Doulas |
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| Certified Doulas
Anne Rust, CD (DONA) I am a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor, certified birth doula (DONA), and owner of baby moon. I have worked with over 500 Lexington mamas-to-be since I began teaching prenatal yoga in January, 2002, and have attended over 50 births in hospital and home as a doula. The first time I assisted a family during birth (in July, 2002), I knew this was the job for me! I feel that women and families are undersupported during this life-changing time, and my experience has taught me that everyone needs a doula. The continuous, knowledgeable, encouraging support of a doula transforms the birth experience for both moms and dads (or other partners), relieving their anxiety and allowing them to work more closely and effectively together. Ask around and you will learn why so many families now say that hiring a doula was the best decision they ever made! Due to my commitments at baby moon and my daughter Elena, born in June, 2006, I am currently accepting repeat clients only for doula services.
I am a certifed birth doula who also enjoys working with new moms as a postpartum doula. It's very much an honor to be with birthing mothers and to help support them through those important first few weeks of motherhood. Being a mom is truly the oldest profession with the most benefits!! I am the mother to two college age students, Adam and Jessica. They along with my husband, David are the loves of my life! I love being a doula--supporting moms, helping dads, and holding new babies--what could be better? One "perk" I didn't expect was having the chance to meet so many different people from differrent walks of life--it's great! I have applied for and hope to get a grant called "Art Meets Activism" for the summer of 2007. Through this poject I hope to have a venue through which the pre/postnatal woman can voice her concerns about the type of support she had during this transitional time of her life and at the same time create a beautiful piece of artwork that celebrates pregnancy. Please watch for more info if you are interested in participating. You might also like to check out my belly cast kits at Mother Nuture. It's a fun, creative way to celebrate your pregnancy. I also have a variety of "ritual kits" for pre/postnatals that can be ordered through Mother Nuture. They are designed to help reinforce the three "R's"---relaxation, rhythm, and ritual--soooo important.
I completed my certification as a Birth Doula through DONA in October of 2006. I have attended 50 births, both at home and in the hospital, since September of 2005. I have four beautiful children of my own and have been helping women with breastfeeding for the last 8 years I feel very passionate about birth and breastfeeding and enjoy supporting families during this very special time in their lives. I believe that knowledge is power and provide my clients with information to help them make informed decisions.
My son, Milo, was born naturally at St. Joseph East, attended by a midwife in December 2005. After reading many books during my pregnancy, I found that my interest only gained momentum after Milo's birth. My search for more knowledge on the subjects of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and parenting naturally led me to becoming a doula. I completed my training to become a birth doula through DONA in November 2006 and I am working with this organization for my certification. I feel incredibly honored every time I am able to help a woman or a couple at this time in their lives and each birth I have attended has fueled my passion for birth. While I strongly believe in a woman's ability to birth her baby naturally, I also believe in a woman's right to choose her own birth experience. I support my clients in whatever choices they make. I hope to have a long career as a doula, helping women have safe, positive, and powerful births.
For referrals in the Louisville Area, please visit the Birth Care Network.
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Doulas Working Towards Certification Amy Cannon, RN Congratulations on your pregnancy! I love being a doula. It is wonderful to share such an intense time in a family's life and be able to make a real difference in a woman's laboring experience. I received my doula training in August 2005 through CAPPA: Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Organization. I have 3 children, all born naturally. I also had a doula at my births. I am an RN and work at UK as a float pool nurse. This means I set my own schedule and usually call the day I want to work to see if they can use me. This allows me the flexiblility to also do doula work. I usually meet with my clients once or twice a month up to the birth. This is to establish a relationship so that we are completely comfortable with each other, and I also do a lot of question answering and counseling. Birth is not a frequent occurance in a family, and yet it is probably the most memorable experience a family will have. So you want to do everything to help that memory be a good one.
I am a natural childbirth educator, birth doula, and mother of three. I have been teaching childbirth classes for nearly ten years, and have attended close to 100 births in hospital and home as a doula and birth assistant. I believe in family-centered maternity care and freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in childbirth. I completed my Birth Doula training through DONA in September of 2003. [Editors Note: Amy has not pursued certification, however she is Lexington's most experienced doula, and her experience speaks for itself.]
I have completed the doula training workshop through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). I am currently working towards my certification so I will be doing all births at a reduced price until it is completed. I feel called to work with women who are pregnant and in labor and hope to someday become a midwife. Next year I am getting my yoga teacher certification so I can further pursue my dream of aiding in women's health, relaxation, and enjoyment of life. I have attended home births and prenatal visits with a midwife and have learned much from watching her work.
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, and I began attending my clients' births in 2001. I have assisted births at UK, Central Baptist, St. Joseph East, Frankfort Regional, and St. Elizabeth's in Northern Kentucky, as well as home and birth center births. I have been a practitioner of massage therapy since my graduation from S.H.I. Integrated School of Medical Massage in 1998. I am a Registered Craniosacral Therapist, am certified in Pregnancy Massage, and I completed my Doula Training in March of2007 as a requirement for DONA's certification process. My goal as a Doula is to empower and support the mom and her partner so that they can focus on and achieve their ideal birth experience.
I completed my doula training through DONA in August of 2004. I have also been a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist since 2002 and have a private practice called Family Bodyworks. I am a certified baby massage instructor, and also teach movement and pregnancy massage classes at the Lexington Healing Arts Academy. I have been practicing yoga at Baby Moon since the birth of our first child, Joshua Tag in August of 2003. He was born naturally at St, Joseph East with Beth Broderson as our midwife and my husband as my coach after we completed the 12 week course of the Bradley Method. Our second son, Noah Benton, was born at home in January of 2007 with the help of my husband, midwife, and many supportive women. And, I love birth and babies!
Since the birth of my baby girl, my life has taken off upon a very unpredictable and exciting road. The powerfully uplifting experience of my baby’s birth has inspired me to be a doula in order to encourage other women to carry out their ideal birthing experience in their own lives. I currently work for www.mommyquest.com and spend much of my time reading and researching ways to make moms lives even more joyous. My wish is to see moms grow in confidence and joy because they made a decision to actively participate in their childbirth. I want to see moms satisfied that they were encouraged and supported adequately. I am excited to be a doula and look forward to connecting with new moms.
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| When should I hire my doula? | ||||
| If you know that you will be hiring a doula, there's no time like the present. Hiring your doula early means that you are more likely to get your first choice (some doulas may be booked as much as 4-5 months ahead). We recommend that you plan to attend a Meet the Doulas Night (or to interview doulas individually) during your second trimester--4 to 6 months of pregnancy.
Many women and couples don't realize that they want or need a doula until much later in their pregnancy. Or, they wake up one morning and realize the third trimester is here--surprise!! That's OK, too. There are almost always ways to fit you in to someone's schedule (although you may not be able to get your first choice). If finances are an issue in your decision to hire a doula, please contact us. Newer doulas may be willing to offer services for a reduced fee or on a sliding scale, in order to gain more experience. Doula support can transform birth experiences. We believe that every woman and couple who wants a doula should have one. We'll help you find a way to work it out!
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| Meet the Doulas Night | ||||||
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Join other expectant parents to meet the birth doulas working in Central Kentucky. We'll talk about what doulas do, the benefits of doula services, and how to find the right doula for you. Learn about childbirth options and positive birth experiences! FREE. Held every other month; please check the Class Calendar for dates.
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