Intuit Birth

          - a greek word meaning a woman who serves other women, now adapted to refer to a woman who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman throughout labor and birth.

~My personal defintion of a doula is- a servant to a woman during Birth-Giving, one who stays nearby, ready and prepared to provide her and her partner with comfort and support. A servant who's agenda is mother's agenda, who's hopes for any birth is the mother's hopes. A servant ready and able to hold a space, provide security and affirmation, and facilitate the partner's experience of birth. ~

The Benefits Doula Support during labor:

• 71% less pitocin use/inductions which reduces prematurity, cesareans, and poor outcomes
• 60% decrease in epidural use and 35% decrease in narcotics (reduction in mothers who request) which therefore decreases cesareans, length of  labor particularly pushing stage, instrument delivery, slower recovery, and baby with lower apgar
• 57% decrease in forceps use (less vacuum extractions and episiotomies), which therefore reduces injury to vaginal tissues and perineal tears, injury to baby's scalp, and length of recovery
• 51% decrease in cesarean birth and therefore fewer premature births, which results in smoother mother/baby bonding, latch, less surgical complications such as infection, medical problems for the baby, and
• 25 % shorter labor (by approximately 2hours) and fewer complications

(adapted and compiled from several sources)

Check out DONA for  clinical studies and Research that demonstrate the support of Doulas during labor:

Impact of Doula Support on post partum and early parenting:

• less anxiety and tension
•  feels secure and cared for
• positive feelings about labor
• increases feelings of control
• satisfaction of birth experience
• less likely to experince postpartum depression
• empowering, greater self-confidence & self-esteem
• increased breastfeeding success
• enhanced mother/baby bonding
• baby is less likely to have medical  concerns

(adapted from a handout by Penny Simkin, PT, CD  "Support in Labor from a Doula")

RISKS? There are no known risks to hiring a doula, except of course, that you will never want to give birth without one again!!

I am your doula, I promise to 

be the one person at your birth who comes with no agenda

come to serve YOU!

provide a buffer to distractions.

support the birth giving experience for the mother, her partner, and the family.

have only your personal interest at heart.

not leave, I am the a constant, continuous support, the duration of your labor and birth.

provide comfort and suggestions for comfort.

remind you of your wishes, of your choices, of your right to be informed, and your right to change your mind.

to act as a guardian of your memories, keeps watch, hold the birth-giver sacred.

support your partner and suggest ways of participating to enjoy the birth of this child and mother as fully as possible.

provide privacy to you and your partner for quiet and connection.

encourage and affirm your journey into birth.

remind you exactly how incredible and beautiful and capable you are!!!