What is a Doula/ Labor Coach and Why Should I Have One?
WHY IS A DOULA / LABOR COACH IMPORTANT?
The word Doula is a Greek word that means women’s servant. Women have been serving other women in childbirth for centuries and have proven that this support from another woman has positive effects on the labor process.
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor or has recently given birth. The Doula's role is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.
The word Doula, Labor Coach, and Support Person are interchangeable. I prefer using the term "Support Person" when joining you in the hospital.
I myself have been trained by Childbirth International in 2006. I also worked directly in the OBGYN setting for a decade as a Specialized Clinical Technician; Certified by the State of New Jersey in 1996. I managed the office and assisted the Physicians. I was the phlebotomist, Office Manger, and trusted female mentor to many of our expecting Mamas.
What does a SUPPORT PERSON do?
Most Doula and client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due. During this time, they establish a relationship that gives the mother complete freedom to ask questions, express fears and concerns, and take an active role in creating a birth plan. Most Doulas make themselves available to the mother by phone or text message to answer questions or explain any developments that may arise in pregnancy. Doulas do not provide any type of medical care. However, they are knowledgeable in the medical aspect of labor and delivery so they can help their clients get a better understanding of procedures and complications that may arise in late pregnancy or during delivery.
During labor and delivery, Doulas are in constant, close proximity to the mother at all times. They can provide comfort with pain relief techniques, such as breathing, relaxing, massage and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. The goal of a doula is to help the mother have an empowered, positive and safe birth experience, whether the mother wants an medicated birth, an un-medicated birth, a hospital birth, a home birth, or is having a planned cesarean birth. My goal is to support what YOU WANT!
What are the benefits of having a Doula?
Numerous studies have revealed the benefits of having a Doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, revealed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a Doula was present. When a Doula was present, women were less likely to be overly medicated for pain relief, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having an overall more positive childbirth experience.
Other studies have shown that having a Doula as part of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 30%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 50%.
.... that being said .... Its ok to ask for what you need to have a successful birth experience.
What about the fathers role?
The role of the Doula is never to take the place of the husband or partner in labor, but to complement and enhance their experience. Today, many husbands are taking a more active role in the birth process, but some partners feel that this is a huge expectation and would rather be able to enjoy the delivery without having to stand in as labor coach. With a Doula as a part of the birth team, a father can do whatever he feels comfortable with at each moment. Doulas can encourage the father to use comfort measures and can step in when he needs a break. Having a Doula allows the father to be able to support his partner emotionally during labor and birth and also enjoy it himself without the pressure to remember everything he learned in childbirth class! But if the father is not present we are here for you 100% and will do it all by your side.
Examples of Doula Support During Birth
Physical Comfort Techniques: these techniques do not offer complete pain relief, but can often make the pain manageable.
• Counter-pressure
• Massage and other forms of touch
• Positioning
• Use of heat and cold, combined with other comfort measures
• Breathing (slow, steady and varied)
• Mobility/motion
• Awareness of tension in different parts of body; help mom release tension and lessen pain
• Use of water (tub and shower, when available)
• Vocalizations (sounds, singing, moaning, repeating important words or phrases)
• Birth ball Support
• Hypnosis
Emotional Support
• Continuous presence with sole focus on supporting mom
• Verbal encouragement, praise and feedback
• Acknowledgement of her pain and the hard work of labor
• Emotional and Mental “Goalposts” – work through fears/concerns of birth, and provide support to acknowledge and move forward through memories of previous births
• Reframe thoughts, fears and feelings during labor (turn doubtful/negative statements and words into positive and progressing statements)
• Visualizations
• Distraction through mental activities
• Focal points
Specialized Support include but not limited too.
• Hypnotherapy
• Birthing Acupressure
• Reflexology for Birthing
• Essential Oil
• Auricular Therapy
• Photos
As a Doula/ Labor Coach, I will not:
•Give medical advice or perform medical procedures.
•Communicate your wishes directly to your doctor or midwife.
•Replace your partner in the birth experience.
INCLUDED SERVICES
Having given birth, I know that it is one of the most significant experiences in a person’s life. Much time and energy have likely gone into researching and planning for your child’s entry into the world. If this is your first child, you are traveling on uncharted waters, which can feel very overwhelming. I made the decision to become a Doula so I can provide you and your partner with the information and support you need to go through this journey with confidence; with greater ease and amazing support. My utmost concern is your comfort during labor and I provide suggestions and techniques to help you through this life-changing process.
During labor and delivery, which can be extremely tiring and emotionally draining, I provide you and your partner with physical and emotional support, helping you to discover your inner strength and empowering you achieve the birth you want. I truly want your birth to be a joyous and happy, beautiful, satisfying memory.
My services include:
Initial Meeting
I like to meet with potential clients to find out if we are a good match for each other. I believe that you should hire a doula that you feel comfortable with and this initial meeting provides an opportunity for you to get to know me better. After this meeting there is no further obligation to use my services.
Prenatal Contact
I prefer to meet with clients at least 3 - 4 times (at least) before the birth to discuss your wishes and desires for your birth and each visit will include a hypnosis session. During the meeting(s), we will also go over your preferences regarding interventions and procedures, and your feelings about pain management. I am available every day to answer and questions you may have. In your last 2 weeks of pregnancy I am available 24 hours a day to answer questions or to address concerns leading up to your birth.
Scheduling your Hypno-birthing Appointments:
You can begin your sessions as early as you would like. Plan on being seen monthly up to your 30th week. Then every two weeks from 30 weeks to 36 weeks. After 36 weeks be seen every one to two weeks up to your wonderful delivery experience.
Hypno-birthing Hypnosis Sessions:
Hypno-birthing Hypnosis Sessions, are not classes, they are a deeply relaxing private journey through fear- less childbirth. While seated in a reclining chair or massage table within a soothing healing environment together we can promote the suggestions needed for a positive birth experience through the power of Hypnosis. These hypnosis sessions have been designed to feel like a guided meditation to help mommies become deeply relaxed and to focus on the confidence they will use to move through the process of labor and delivery. Being calm and having a sense of control can greatly make a difference in your overall experience of childbirth; as well as positively impact the health of both mom and baby. These sessions have been created to allow stresses to float away and to implement the thoughts needed to believe you will succeed at childbirth. Together we can create the positive thoughts necessary to decrease pain, to keep you calm and focused, and to turn labor pains into encouraging waves of pressure surges. The waves needed to allow your baby to come into this world and into your arms. With experiencing and receiving these deep relaxing suggestions we will give attention to principles of hypnobirthing and positive visualization. These suggestions will create the positive thoughts to inspire you with confidence. Feeling prepared mentally, being present within the moment, and focusing on the positive outcomes … this is birth empowerment! These sessions have been created with the following combined techniques based on neuroscience principles: Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, RAS - Reticular Activating System, Cognitive Behavioral Thinking, Mindful Mediation, Positive Imagery, Affirmation Implementation, and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Each session may include essential oil use and ear seeds. Meditation music is used with subliminal messages to enhance deep relaxation and long-term results. Research has shown that being able to visualize your intentions, to remain focused on your positive outcomes, and to align your positive thoughts with the intended experience are key to creating happy delivery memories. Research has shown that the anxiety and tensions felt by a woman during childbirth that have been based on prior fear thoughts and preconceived ideas of labor substantially increase labor pains by 95% in all women. All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis. The power for positive change and creation resides in your own mind. If you choose to accept the suggestions presented, you can rest comfortable knowing that you are the one safely in control of your own positive experience. What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is meditation with a goal based on neuroscience principles. In this setting, you will be deeply relaxed into a state of peace where your subconscious is ready to receive suggestions that will empower you through labor and delivery. Hypnosis is extremely effective in helping you naturally and implements positive thinking.
Labor and Delivery
I am here to speak with you at the onset of labor or when your water breaks. At that time, I may give you suggestions for relaxation and answer any questions or concerns. I will join you when you feel you are ready for my arrival; to help cope with the contractions. Which is generally when active labor begins. I can join you at your home or in the hospital. Once I arrive as your SUPPORT PERSON, I provide continuous support during labor and birth including comfort measures such as position change, massage, counter pressure, heat and cold, water, verbal encouragement, visualization and breathing, music, birth ball support, and communication. I can also take photographs during and after the birth. I will stay with you at least an hour after you give birth but then will gently disappear so you can spend intimate time with your new immediate family. 4
Due to post Covid changes & new regulations inside most hospitals -
I now only use the word "Support Person" when joining my expecting Mamas in the hospital. You are allowed at least two Support persons.
Many hospitals will want your support persons to have a negative covid test. Ask your OBGYN what your support persons need in regards to attending your delivery.
** Note: Your BIRTH STORY PICTURES will be solely yours. I will NOT keep any copies. I will place them on a jump drive or camera card for you to keep. I will not use any pictures unless you give permission. It is understood that this is an intimate experience and as such your privacy is my utmost concern.
Postpartum Contact
I will contact you, phone or text, after the birth to follow up with you. I will come visit you after the birth to admire your baby. I can also make referrals to lactation consultants, midwives, etc.
As a Doula / SUPPORT PERSON, I will not:
•Give medical advice or perform medical procedures.
•Communicate your wishes directly to your doctor or midwife.
•Replace your partner in the birth experience.
My fee averages $1000.00 and includes all above services. I accommodate payment plans.
Breakdown:
$150- Initial Consultation,
$100 - Each Hypnotherapy Prenatal Visit,
$600 Labor & Delivery (that includes Packaging Photographs) If you do not use a service or one of the appointments YOU ARE NOT CHARGED FOR IT!
again, I accommodate payment plans. Just ask.
**I believe all women should have the right to a Doula/Labor Coach/ SUPPORT PERSON so please ask about sliding scale and free services if financially necessary.
Doula / Labor Coach On Call - $600. Payment arrangements can be made. In labor and need immediate support. Text or call - 732 - 508 - 7448
Options:
You are free to customize your services. There are no services that you must accept. If there is anything that you don't see mentioned above, please feel free to ask me if I can provide it for you. Remember, I want to do this your way.
Area's I serve:
Currently I am seeing clients that will give birth at Home, or In Community Medical center, Brick Hospital, and Jersey Shore Hospital. (Occasional other locations by special request.)
I do have trusted Doulas I recommend for other areas near by.