What is a Doula?
Doula (pronounced DOO-LAH) is a Greek word, meaning "woman's servant." Professionally, doulas are recognized as individuals, mostly women, who are there to provide emotional, physical and informational support during the antenatal, birthing and postpartum periods.
A doula accompanies women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. We draw on our knowledge and experience to provide emotional support and physical comfort. We can provide reassurance and perspective, make suggestions for labor progress, help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other comfort measures. Each doula in independent and self employed. Your doula works for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
Why a Doula?
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth generally:
result in shorter labors with fewer complications
reduces negative feelings about childbirth experience
reduces need for pitocin, forceps delivery, vacuum extraction and cesareans
reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Research shows parents who recieve support can:
Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in dealing with new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self confidence
Have less post partum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse
Doula Services Provided
Two prenatal visits
Phone and e-mail support during pregnancy and postpartum
Guaranteed Back-Up Support during pregnancy and labor
On call status beginning at two weeks prior to your due date
Help identifying your birth preferances
Home to birth place support during labor and birth
Postpartum support immediately following birth up to 2 hours
One postpartum visit no later than 2 weeks postpartum
Photos taken during labor and birth (if desired)
References available
Payment schedule and sliding scale available on case by case basis. Serving clients who are within a two hour drive of Nashville, TN, this includes clients in the Bowling Green, KY area.
For more information on our doula services please contact us at borntobirth@gmail.com
