Congratulations on
your pregnancy! How exciting! As
the mother of two children, I vividly understand the feelings
and anxieties associated with becoming a parent. I also know
how much information you receive on a daily basis from people
wanting to be helpful and offer you advice. I appreciate your desire
to gather as much useful information as possible and I thank-you
for contacting my website.
Do you know
what a doula does? A doula is like a childbirth educator, a friend
and an advocate, that accompanies you into childbirth. Under perfect
conditions, you may hardly notice your doula in the room. I will gently
guide your partner, making suggestions for your partner to keep
you comfortable and supported. I offer a variety of techniques
to assist your baby's descent, ideas to keep you calm and relaxed
and most importantly, vital information for your choices should you
need to detour from your birth plan.
A doula is not meant to be a substitute for your partner or coach—but
rather an additional advocate and calming presence. A doula helps
to protect your birth preferences and your ideals of what you envision for your birth.
Research indicates
that women supported by a doula during labor may experience:
- 48% reduction in c-sections
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in Oxytocin
use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
It is recommended that you interview at least 3 doulas. You will
find a variety of different personalities, costs and levels of education
once you begin your search. Hopefully you will find the doula that
will benefit you the most.
What is a doula?
Greek: defined as woman’s servant.
A professional that “provides continuous emotional support, physical comfort
and information to laboring women.”
- A caring, compassionate woman who provides non-medical support
through pregnancy, labor and delivery.
- A person who is supportive about choices women make for their
birth, and who aides the couple in their decisions.
- Someone who helps the mother/couple advocate for themselves.
- An educator who offers advice on comfort measures such as visualization,
relaxation, massage and positioning.
- A woman who recognizes the intimate, sacred nature of birth.
- An aromatherapist, a disc jockey, a photographer and a storyteller!
- A lactation educator that provides support and information for
breastfeeding.
- And, a confidence builder! I know you can do this!
Kristi
R. Conroy
Certified Labor Doula
Passive Descent Doula Services
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