Envision
the day that you go into labour.
You are
feeling all sorts of emotions; excitement, nervousness and everything in
between. As you walk into the maternity ward or birthing unit your contractions
are every 2 - 3 mins. The midwife is there to help you get your vitals checked
and to start monitoring your progress. Your husband is swooped away to complete
the last bit of paperwork... And then it hits you, this is really happening...
A loving
hand falls on your shoulder and with it comes a flood of calmness with the
words "You got this, you are strong and capable, you are doing
great!"
This
loving hand belongs to your Doula…
A Doula
is a non-medical support companion who is trained in providing the expectant
parents with not just the necessary information they need, but also provide
natural based physical comfort measures throughout your pregnancy and natural
child birth. This is done by instilling
emotional strength in the parents through information and guidance to remind
them that they have nothing to be afraid of.
The
doula is not a decision maker, the doula acts as an informational provider for
the parents, and will always respect and advocate for the parents' decisions.
We also don't interfere with the father’s role in the labour as he is part of
this experience. We guide and involve him as much as he is comfortable. Your
husband, doula and midwife becomes your dream birthing team.
Having a
doula will bring you closer to getting the birth experience you dreamt of.
As your
Doula we use comfort methods with a holistic approach to help with your
contractions. Some of these methods that we use are massaging or moving you
around until we find that one position that makes you the most comfortable.
Sometimes different positions in different stages of labour proves more
beneficial. We will get you moving around by walking which progresses the
labour naturally.
If you
do not like to be massaged I am trained to use a Rebozo. A Rebozo it is a hand
woven material from Mexico that has been around since the dawn of birth helping
woman all over the planet during labour.
Postpartum,
a Doula can assist with your breastfeeding journey as well as providing further
information on holistic choices for your new-born. For example, How to wrap and
carry your baby.
So, why
is it important to have a Doula at your Birth? Many people regard having a
doula as vitally important, because her presence and support creates a birthing
process that is less stressful and more enjoyable.
“Birth
is about making mothers strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves
and know their inner strength” Barbra Katz Rothman
