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| Helpful Moms |
| Public group from Jacksonville Beach, FL |
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WHAT IS A DOULA?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and after birth. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A BIRTH DOULA
* Recognizeds birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life.
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs f women in labor.
* Assists the woman in preparing for andcarrying out her plans for birth.
* Stays with the woman throughout the labor.
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman, get the information she needs to make an informed decision.
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her clinical care providers.
* Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of he birth experience.
* Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level.
Research evidence shows that the quality of services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
WHY USE A DOULA?
DONA International Doulas Mother the Mother
Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement, and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.
DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in the childbirth and the postpartum periods. They are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional, and informational support to the women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a lovin touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presences at birth:
* tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
* reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience
* reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps, or vacuum extraction and cesareans
* reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Research shows parents who receive support can:
* feel more secure an cared for
* are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
* have greater success with breastfeeding
* have greater self-confidence
* hav less postpartum depression
* have lower incidence of abuse
HOW TO HIRE THE DOULA FORYOU!
A doula can greatly enhance your experience of childbirth months. Your birth doula will be at your side along with your care provider and partner, as part of your team for continuous support during labor and birth. Finding a good fit for you andyour family is critical. A doula's education, training, experience, and credentials are important. When doulas have DONA International certification, you know that they have had the best education and training available. You can also be assured that they have a strong sense of professionalism and integrity.
You will also want to consider whether you and your partner feel comfortable with an individual doula. You will need to feel that this doula is supportive of your hopes and expectations about labor, childbirth, and parenting, in addition to having a strong professional background and credentials.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A DOULA:
The following questions will help you decided if a particular doula is right for you.
FOR ANY DOULA:
* What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization).
* Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available?
* May we meet her/him?
* What is your fee?
* What does it include?
* What are your refund policies?
WHEN INTERVIEWING A BIRTH DOULA:
* Tell me about your experience as a birth doula.
* What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners hrough labor?
* May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me through birth?
* May we call you with questions and/or concerns before and after the birth?
* When do you try to join women in labor?
* Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
* Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
CONDUCT AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW:
It s a good idea for both you and your partner to meet doula candidates to decide if they are compatible with your family. Are they kind, warm, and enthusiastic? Are they knowledgable? Do they communicate well? Are they good listeners? Are they comfortable with your choices or do they seem to have their own agendas? Do you feel at ease with them?
The way that you feel with a doula is more important that the number of births that they have attended or how many new families they have nurtured. You may want to interview more than on doula and make comparisons before choosing your doula.
Referenced: Information brought to you by Holly Franklin, DONA trained birth doula, courtesy of DONA International. 904-838-6901 holly.doula@yahoo.com |
| Posted by Jennifer on 01/22/2009 11:22 PM
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