Dearest Doula Podcast Episode 11

In this episode we’re talking birth plans with the absolutely delightful Mrs. Raven Haymond, a Rebozo Certified Doula, and owner of ‘Doula Raven’. When she is not busy being a mother to four little ones, Raven is serving clients in the Salt Lake City area. Raven recently took some time to come on to the show to share her tips and resources for creating amazing birth plans with the Dearest Doula community,

Dearest Doula Community, Raven shares valuable insight into ‘Creating a birth plan’ on dearest doula today! Click HERE to listen on itunes, or simply press play!

In this Episode we discuss:

Brief history of childbirth & birth plan beginnings

What birth plans accomplish

Common topics/issues to cover in birth plans

Steps YOU can take to help parents create great birth plans

 Raven’s recommended resources & interview links:

‘Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth’-Ina May Gaskin

‘The Birth Partner – Revised 4th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions‘- Penny Simkin

‘Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn’– Penny Simkin

‘When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women’– Penny Simkin

Dearest Doula Community, I LOVE Audio books and have teamed up with Audible to give you the great opportunity to get two audiobooks like these for free! Click here to Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

 You can connect with Raven 

through her website today!

Lastly, if you enjoyed this episode please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the show on iTunes. By doing so you will be automatically updated when new episodes air, and will also be helping to get word of the podcast to other birth workers. This show was made for people like you, and I value your input!

Until next time, my dearest doula community, have a wonderful day and remember Raven’s quote from Ina May, “If a woman doesn’t look like a goddess during labor, then someone isn’t treating her right.”!

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Birth Workers Are The Best Workers

Dearest Readers,

Last week I checked in on my media hosting stats, and saw something that took my breath away. I HAVE to share this with you, because it’s your win as much as it is mine.

 

Something AMAZING is Happening.

People are tuning in to the podcast, and spreading the word of what we are trying to do here. Every week I interview birth workers who are not only passionate about what they do, but are passionate about spreading their knowledge and insights with others. People like you are making this world a more doula-friendly place, and for that I am incredibly thankful.

Thank you for tuning in. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for the incredible work that you do. 

This podcast was made for you. If there is anything I can do that can add to the value this podcast brings you, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want this to be the very best- you deserve that. 

AND

If you would like to join in on inspiring birth workers the WORLD OVER, please reach out to me to arrange an interview time. You can message me directly at dearestdoula@gmail.com, or contact me through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I can’t wait to hear from you. 🙂

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Dearest Doula Podcast Episode 6

Brittany Oracheski is a birth and postpartum doula, placenta encapsulator, childbirth educator, and owner of Olive Branch Doula and Birth Services. She is currently serving clients in the Wainwright, Alberta area, and recently took the time to come onto ‘Dearest Doula’ to share her amazing journey with us. Her commitment to serving families with positive, caring intentions is truly inspiring.

Dearest Doula Community, Brittany shares her valuable insights and journeys on dearest doula today! Click HERE to listen on itunes or simply press play below!

Moment of Struggle

Brittany shares her struggle with the “quiet times” that all birth workers have faced and may be all too familiar with- the times where we find ourselves between clients. Listen in as she shares her strategies for turning those quiet times into windows of opportunity for growth and connection.

“I was meant to be right here, right now”

When one of her first clients undergoes a rough placenta delivery, Brittany finds herself serving her clients needs in an unexpected and touching way.

Success Quote

“The one thing all famous authors, world-class athletes, business tycoons, singers, actors, and celebrated achievers in any field have in common is that they all began their journeys when they were none of these things.”

-Mike Dooley

Recommended Resources & Interview Links

Hayhouse.com

‘Childbirth Without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth’– Grantly Dick-Read, foreword by Ina May Gaskin

Want to find these books in audio form, and others like them? Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

You can connect with Brittany through her personal website here, or find her on Facebook. 

If you enjoyed todays episode, I invite you to Subscribe, Rate, and Review the show on iTunes. By doing this, you are not only providing valuable feedback, but also boosting the shows online presence so that birth workers everywhere can gain awareness of our show. What you do matters, and the whole world should know it! Until next time Dearest readers, remember Brittany’s parting piece of guidance; “Take the jump, and everything will reveal itself to you”.

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Dearest Doula Podcast Episode 1

Dr. Mai Heath is a Doctor of naturopathic medicine, and a Doula who is currently serving clients in the Toronto, Ontario area. She is a wellness and birth advocate, who uses her charming personality and sharp wit to “bridge art and science” for her clients.

Dearest Doula community, Dr. Mai shares her incredible journey on Dearest Doula today! Click here to listen on iTunes!

Moment of Struggle

Dr. Mai shares a story about a time where she recently found herself on the verge of “freezing” during an unexpected turn of events with her clients. We’ve all worried about or experienced moments like this, hear how she handled it…

“I was meant to be right here, right now”

This moment is a powerful one, and so well told. Dr. Mai’s story perfectly illustrates how we are all uniquely suited for the births we are called to.

What has Dr. Mai inspired right now??

Shifting the focus of her naturopathic practice to a more specific demographic-namely women in their reproductive years. Check out her practice here.

Success Quote

“Be Encouraged”

-Aunt Cynthia

Recommended Resources & Interview Links:

‘Rainbow Relaxation’-Marie F. Mongan

‘Mamatoto: A Celebration of Birth’– The Body Shop

‘Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year’– Susan S. Weed

Want to find these books in audio form, and others like them? Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

Follow Dr. Mai on:

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Or simply check out her website.

**Update** You can also now check out Dr. Mai’s newest interview here!

Lastly, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the show- what you think matters, and I value your feedback!! Until next time, dearest readers!

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Dearest Doula Podcast Episode 000

Nathalie Saenz is the creator and host of the ‘Dearest Doula’ podcast. She is also a birth and postpartum doula, serving clients in the Bastrop, Tx area. In this short, introductory interview, listeners will have the opportunity to learn about Nathalie and what she hopes the podcast will bring to the birth community worldwide.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes here!

Dearest Doula will officially launch June 1st.

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Episode 000

Making the Cut? Wait a minute…or three.

We’ve seen it a dozen times; The cute rom-com expectant parents rush into the hospital, baby well on the way. The mother wails, there is a big push-and baby is out! Hoots and hollers fill the delivery room as the doctor proudly holds up the newborn and reveals the sex. The parents are in tears, and the new dad can hardly contain his excitement when…the moment comes. He is handed scissors aaaand…successfully cuts off baby from what could possibly be 1/3 of their blood supply!

Not exactly the happy ending we thought, huh?

Dearest Reader,

In this post we will explore the subject of delayed cord clamping. Delayed cord clamping has more recently become a subject of interest to parents, as more and more data highlights the benefits of waiting to make that momentous snip surface.

“So what’s the big deal?”

Allow me to drop some knowledge on this subject. According to The One to One Midwives Organization, “various studies have shown that immediate or early cord clamping disrupts normal physiology, anatomy, and the birth process-it severs the baby from the still functioning placenta and halts the circulation of blood”.

The World Health Organization further explains that “Delaying cord clamping allows blood flow between the placenta and neonate to continue, which may improve iron status in the infant for up to six months after birth”. They WHO goes on to state that a delay of cord clamping “(not earlier than 1 min after birth) is recommended for improved maternal and infant health and nutrition outcomes”.

**Eyes glaze over**

Ok-In plain english, here is what’s happening. The placenta is an amazing organ your body creates with each pregnancy, and is essentially the baby’s life support -doing everything from filtering out waste, replenishing nutrients, providing oxygen, and guarding against infection. The umbilical cord is comprised of blood vessels that connect the baby to the placenta. At birth, as much as 1/3 of the babies blood supply is still outside it’s body, carrying within it valuable iron stores, oxygen, and stem cells.

Image from iheartguts.com

The big deal here is this; when a baby has their umbilical cord clamped during the first minute to 90 seconds following birth, the baby is blocked off from this precious supply!

Courtesy of cord clamping.com

“Ok I think I get the picture, but wait a minute…what about Jaundice? I heard that delayed cord clamping can increase my babies chance of getting jaundice.”

Not so. Evidence shows that delayed cord clamping does NOT increase babies odds of having jaundice. This is coming from the Journal of the American Medical Association, you guys. Boom.

“If I choose to have delayed cord clamping, does that mean that I can’t save my placenta for encapsulation?”

Not exclusively, no. There are however, several factors to consider when deciding if your placenta is viable for ingestion, many of which are highlighted here, and we will also be going over this in detail in a future post.

“Alright, this sounds great! How do I make this happen for my baby?”

The first step would be to talk to your healthcare provider about your wishes. By making sure that you are on the same page regarding your options and choices, you get yourself one step closer to achieving the birth experience you and your little one deserve.

Take some time to read more on this topic, add it to your birth plan, discuss it with your doula, and communicate your wishes to your provider.

For more on the benefits delayed cord clamping can have worldwide, listen to this TED talk given by Dr. Alan Greene.

Lastly, here is a video of the renowned author Penny Simkin demonstrating the importance of delayed cord clamping. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Becoming a Doula? Step 2

Dearest Reader,

This post is a continuation of our ongoing topic, Becoming a Doula.

Now that you have decided to continue your journey towards Doula-hood (congratulations!) it’s time to check out a few resources. I highly recommend researching the various doula certifying organizations. While there are not currently any requirements one has to follow to begin doula work, there are many benefits towards aligning yourself with a certifying organization. Here are a few, listed in no particular order:

• toLabor(formerly ALACE)
• Birth Arts International
• ProDoula
• Childbirth International
• Birthing from Within
• CAPPA
• DONA International
• Hypnobirthing

I suggest taking the time to review the vast array of certification processes each organization requires, in addition to reaching out to local doulas in your community and finding out which (if any) they chose and why.

Note: The rest of this post is written on the assumption that you are choosing to seek certification with an organization (which is not for everyone). If this does not interest you, I encourage you to instead check out my other posts here.

The cost for certification varies among the organizations, ranging anywhere from the $400’s to the $1,200 plus mark. Before you let the cost discourage you, consider that many of the programs offer scholarships! Also, keep in mind that this investment is for more than just a one time class or workshop, it marks the beginning of your new career.

There are one or two organizations that I am familiar with which offer Distance-Learning friendly models, namely Birth Arts International and Childbirth International, the rest require you to attend workshops and or class series. Most of these organizations have no set exam for you to take, and instead rely on your ongoing participation, and fulfillment of prerequisites such as required reading and the aforementioned workshop or class attendance. The amount of required reading also fluctuates greatly between organizations, however chances are you will become very familiar with certain prominent authors in the birth world, such as Penny Simkin, Sheila Kitzinger, Paulina Perez, and the iconic Ina May Gaskin.

You may be asked to first become a member of the organization, after which you can purchase a certification packet. The packet will outline the specific requirements necessary to become certified, which can consist of a combination of tasks such as completing a workbook, writing essays, attending classes, finishing your reading list, and attending births. Once you have your requirements fulfilled, send in your packet, wait for confirmation, and voila! You are well on your way.

To Summarize

1. Decide if being a Doula is the right fit for you.
   • Why do you want to be a Doula?
   • Can your current lifestyle change to allow the flexibility and commitment to your clients that is necessary?
   • Will you receive spousal/partner support in this endeavor?
   • Can you find childcare support, and back-up childcare support for emergencies?
   • Can you function on little to no sleep for long periods at a time?
   • If so, what kind of Doula work interests you? What are your passions in regards to birth, and how can you focus that passion to better serve your clients?
2. Decide if Certification is the route you want to take.
   • While there are currently no guidelines mandating that Doulas receive certification prior to serving clients, in my personal opinion working with a certifying organization has amazing benefits. By becoming a member of an organization that aligns with your values, you become part of an awesome community of men and women who have made that same decision. During your workshop and classes you get the opportunity to meet people in your area who are at the same point in their path to doula-hood as you, giving you the opportunity to form friendships and even potential business connections. You will learn about childbirth and labor from a historical, physiological, and emotional perspective. Depending on the organization you can also have the opportunity to learn more about the more practical and business-minded aspect of running your own doula business. I personally felt enlightened and empowered throughout my training, learned valuable information, and forged great friendships.
   • If Certification is not in your immediate plans, be sure to reach out to local doulas in your community for guidance. I also strongly recommend reading birth materials such as
     • The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions –Penny Simkin
     • The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth -Marshall H. Klaus
     • The New Pregnancy & Childbirth -Sheila Kitzinge
3.  Assuming you choose to seek certification…Find an organization that speaks to you.
   • Compare each organizations mission or pillars, get advice from doulas you know and respect, scroll through doula forums or Facebook groups…then finally form your own opinion. Do their values line up with yours? Do they offer learning models that cater to your learning style? Are their trainings available online or in your area? Is there a timeline in which you are required to complete your training? It’s best to consider these points and more before making your investment.
4. Begin your certification process!
   • This is the really exciting part! Register for a workshop (if applicable), and get started on your reading material. *Dearest Doula Tip*-Before spending some serious cash on all those books, check if any doulas in your area have copies they are willing to lend! You will find us to be a warm and friendly bunch, unless you perchance happen to catch us right after a marathon birth. If there are no doulas in your area, check for used books at a local used bookstore or online.
   • Start attending THE BIRTHS. Oh sweet goodness, the births!
     • If you are unsure of how to get started, (like I was) try reaching out to your local doula community for opportunities. In the beginning you may feel more comfortable shadowing established doulas with their clients, which is a great way to see what you’ve learned be put into practice, and also gives you the chance to get familiar with a variety of birth settings  and birth professionals (different hospitals, birth centers, doctors, midwives, etc.). This option is also helpful because it gives you a taste of what doula life is really like before making that final plunge.
     • If you are down like Charlie Brown, I still suggest checking with your local doula community for tips and advice on how to get started. Depending on your community there may also be doula agencies to consider joining, or non-profit doula service organizations you can volunteer with. Either way, this time is the most exciting for a new doula, have a blast!
5. When all requirements are met, submit your packet for certification.
   • Make sure you have everything in order before sending off your packet to avoid any delays in receiving your certification. If you have any questions or concerns, try calling the organization themselves as they can be helpful, or reach out to me. I’m pretty friendly 🙂
6. Once you have received your Certification-CELEBRATE!!!

You did it! Congratulations and welcome 🙂 Certification can be a long and frustrating process. Kudos to you for having the heart and spunk to reach the goal line! Now you can focus on your business and consider expanding your services to include things like bellybinding, placenta encapsulation, prenatal massage and more. I hope to have posts on these topics out for you soon!

Lastly my dears, I would love to hear from Doulas-to-be and Doulas about your journey! Feel free to share your questions, concerns, and moments of triumph. What led you to becoming a Doula? How is your training going, and if already complete, how did you feel about it? I look forward to hearing from you 🙂

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Becoming a Doula? Step 1

Dearest Reader,

Recently I’ve had a number of people approach me with inquiries on how they can begin their doula journey. Like anything else in life, there are multiple ways to achieve this goal, however for the purposes of this post I will outline the more mainstream approach.

Step 1: Decide why you want to become A Doula, and if it’s the right fit for you.

Without meaning to sound discouraging, I strongly recommend that the work a doula does gets considered from all angles. If you’re considering becoming a birth doula, realize that your commitment to your clients inherently means living a life on call, with the potential to miss appointments, birthdays, special occasions, and sleep.

If you have little ones, prepare yourself and your family for this adjustment by explaining that you may have to drop off the kids at their sitter at the drop of a dime, and make sure that you have a back-up sitter , and a back-up for your back-up.

If you are married (or similar), make sure your spouse is completely on board with the lifestyle you are adopting, as it will affect the entire family to some extent. Will your partner be okay or even available to assume your responsibilities in your stead? Make peace with the idea that there will be nights where you do not kiss your loved ones goodnight, or days where you won’t see them at all.

Understand that there will be long hours involved when you are with your clients during their labor, and count yourself lucky if you got a decent nights sleep beforehand. Remember that your clients birth is THEIRS, and respect the choices they make- an idea that can be incredibly difficult to follow at times.

Lastly keep in mind that this is amazing, uplifting work. We are blessed with the opportunity to guide and watch as women and men make the sacred transition into parenthood. We see the first moments of countless lives being born, and offer support to moms and dads every step of the way. When you finally see those tiny hands and curious eyes peek out at the new world, everything else falls away. Every.single.time.

I made it!!

If postpartum doula care is what lights your fire, there is still a time commitment to consider, albeit less intense than that of a birth doula. Your main role takes place after the birth, where you assist parents in establishing their day-to-day routines with baby, and offer advice and guidance on issues such as feeding, diapering, and sleeping. Are you comfortable washing laundry to give mom a break, or preparing light meals? Do you feel comfortable around pets, and unfamiliar places? Postpartum doula care usually takes place at the clients home, so making sure you feel comfortable traveling to and fro is definitely something to consider.

Decide what your availability will be, specifically if you would be willing to work overnight or on weekends, as those can be times that are most stressful for new parents. Like the work of a birth doula, the benefits in this line of work are amazing. As a postpartum doula you are essentially trying to work yourself out of a job with every client! You get a front row seat to watch as parents step into their roles as caregivers, nurturing and nourishing their little ones with many of the skills you have taught them. Seeing that transformation, and the parental bond that accompanies it, is truly rewarding.

There are several other subsets of doula care offered by many compassionate men and women. As a doula, you can specialize in working with families  who are expecting a loss, or who have recently experienced a loss (Miscarriage /loss doula), families who are seeking to expand their families via adoption, and mothers who are choosing to put babies up for adoption (Adoption doula). Another consideration would be to become what is known as a “Full Spectrum doula”, a doula who offers support through birth, adoption, surrogacy, abortion, gender transition, foster care, etc. The list goes on and on, and as a doula you have the option to be as specialized as you like. Take the time to consider what you are passionate about in birth work and consider integrating it into your services.

Alright, so you’ve thought long and hard on what it means to be a doula, and all engines are a go. Ready for the next step? You got this!!

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

P.S.

Here are some awesome links packed with more information on the specific subsets of doula care that exist. Check them out!!

http://www.fullspectrumdoulas.org

http://www.stillbirthday.com/2011/07/26/how-to-be-a-miscarriage-doula/

http://www.doulasforsurrogacy.com

We’ve Moved!

An open letter to you, Moms.

Dearest Mother,

Today I learned that I would be serving you as A Doula, and my heart soared. I immediately shared the news with Doulas in my community, and was flooded with support and encouragement. I share this with you because amidst the excitement and verbal pats on the back, it struck me; you have no idea how many people are in your corner.

As your Doula, I represent a whole tribe of women who believe in your birth rights and options, who believe in you. You will never meet some of these women, and they won’t ever even know your name, but they are cheering for you. At times when you feel scared, or in doubt of your strength or capabilities, I hope you remember these words; You are most definitely not alone. You are supported and celebrated in spirit by countless women, across both space and time. You are entering the ranks of motherhood, where we wait with open arms.

I still have so much to learn about you in these coming weeks, but rest assured that from the moment we met, I already knew; you got this.

“How can you be so sure?” you may wonder. “You hardly know anything about me, and I’m probably not as strong as you think…”. To these skepticisms I say this; I may not have time to learn every detail about you. I will more than likely not learn your favorite ice cream flavor, or if you prefer Brad Pitt to George Clooney. Honestly, I don’t have to… because what I do know is that so far, you have made some pretty awesome choices.

You have chosen to carry and create a new life form. You then chose to seek out and surround yourself with a support system, by finding me. Those two choices alone speak volumes to me about your character.

I have every confidence in your capability too, and here is why. Right now, your body is hard at work, making eyeballs and kidneys, it has built a complete nervous system, and is forming those cute little fingers and toes. You didn’t have to first read an instruction manual, or download data onto your hard drive, because your body knows how to do this. As you experience labor, your body is orchestrating a wondrous symphony with oxytocin, endorphins, and adrenaline. Your body finds natural rhythms that center and soothe you.

Do not feel afraid, dear mom. Feel Empowered.

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula

Act 3

“I juuuuust caaaaan’t doooooo this!” your partner cries. It’s 7:50 p.m., she has been laboring for TEN hours, and she’s five centimeters dilated.

This is so much more exhausting than you thought it’d be. This is straight up,  two-thousand times tougher than all the “So you’re going to be a parent!” books alluded to. You watch with an overwhelming sense of helplessness, as the soon-to-be mother of your precious new earthling shuffles around the room, moaning and rocking. You slant your eyes towards the birth ball that’s been exiled to the corner with a look of disgust, ‘You were supposed to make it easier for us !’ you inwardly scream, summoning what’s left of your inner strength to not stomp over and hurl that ball out the window, Incredible Hulk style. If you had laser vision, that stupid ball would be in a million pieces, raining rubber confetti all over the labor room. With a heavy heart you give one last cursory glance over your labor arsenal-

• Hot Water bottle (you don’t know how to make it stop leaking so she didn’t want it)
• Massage tool (batteries died 4 hours ago)
• Pictures of family (she won’t stay still long enough to look at them now)
• Favorite blanket (she feels too warm as it is)
• Birth Ball (we have no idea what we’re doing)

“AAAAAaaaargh! Whew-whew-whew-whew! Nuuuuuunnnnrrrrrgh! Whew-whew-whew-whew! Am I breathing right honey?! What do I do? What do we do?!”

You have no idea what else to do.

When the labor nurse comes in you are told once again by her sing-song voice that “It’s not too late for an ep-i-du-ral!!! The anesthesiologist could be here-like this!” she says, snapping her fingers. Your partner is looking to you now, her eyes pleading for guidance. You know how much she wanted, you both wanted a natural birth, but your resources are exhausted, and now here you are. What do you do?

Dearest Reader,

Childbirth is many things. Beautiful. Raw. Empowering. Terrifying. Life-changing. Labor can be a beast of many forms; sometimes majestic and breathtaking in it’s glory (much like HP’s patronus), and at other times scarier than spotting a silverfish in your tub.

The horror of Silverfish.

As we’ve learned from a previous post, there are numerous benefits to hiring a birth doula. Today we will dive a little deeper into this compassionate line of work, and explore what it is that these fine men and women have to offer.

1. Mental Preparation & Support

Preparing for childbirth is much like preparing for a voyage at sea; it’s important to know the inner workings of your vessel, have a charted course, and get used to the idea that at many times you will simply have to let go and ride the waves. Birth doulas help expectant parents get into a properly informed mindset before the big day, by discussing the parents expectations for birth, and reviewing some of the more likely scenarios that occur during childbirth. Birth doulas are NOT childbirth educators (CBEs), and unless your specific doula happens to be cross-trained as a CBE, parents are highly encouraged to attend CBE classes. Birth Doulas often help parents form a birth plan, wherein they may offer valuable evidence-based information regarding everything from induction methods, to pain-management techniques, and cord blood options. Click here for an example of a birth plan.

How detailed is your plan?

2. Physical Support

In preparation for labor, it is not uncommon for a birth doula to review some pain-relieving techniques with you and your partner. Because a doula does what they can to reinforce the importance of a birth partners presence and participation, and not undermine it, the doula will help the mother and partner to familiarize themselves with a number of positions where the partner can be utilized during labor, such as abdominal lifting, partner-assisted squatting, or the partner-assisted dangle.

When the mother is experiencing labor, doulas are known to pull out all the stops. While keeping a keen awareness as to what the mother is experiencing and can benefit from, a doula will melt into action, employing techniques such as:

• Accupressure
• Counterpressure
• Music or Sound Relaxation
• Rhythmic Breathing
• Attention Focusing
• Hydrotherapy
• Positions and Movements

That birth ball won’t even know what hit it.

3. Emotional Support

Continuing with the voyage at sea metaphor; every journey needs a map. The thing is, not everyone went to scouts meetings.  What if you don’t know how to navigate your way along? Then you better have someone that can, a guide. During pregnancy, a doula is that guide. A person that helps you stay on track, and provides you the support needed to stick to the journey you embarked on. Pregnancy and labor are intense, no joke. Doulas can help cushion that intensity with their kind encouraging words, their gentle and calm manner, even by their simple unbiased presence. Your doula is in your corner, and when the going gets tough, that can make a world of difference.

Trained in the arts of mental, physical and emotional support, A Doula is a triple threat against the trials of labor. That, my dear reader, is the tip of the iceberg on what a Doula has to offer.

Sincerely,

Dearest Doula