Labor Doula

In order to have a positive birth experience, most women need continuous labor support. This is one of the most important roles of a doula. I am committed to providing you and your birth partner with sensitive, compassionate and unconditional support.  Knowing there is another woman on which to rely emotionally, one who stays by their side throughout the labor and birth process and postpartum, is of great comfort.

The word, “doula,” comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to “a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.” (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

A doula…

• Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life.
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth.
• Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor.
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions.
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders.
• Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

Research has shown that having a labor doula present during birth can reduce the:

· Cesarean Rate by 50%
· Length of Labor by 25%
· Use of Pitocin by 40%
· Use of Pain Medication by 30%
· Need for Forceps by 40%
· Requests for Epidurals by 60%

What a labor doula does not do…

• Perform Clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.  I am there to provide only physical comfort and emotional support.
• Make decisions for you.  I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.
• Speak to the staff on your behalf.  I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff.

A doula offers many benefits to the father or partner as well:

• Increase in father’s/partner’s confidence levels and decrease in stress.
• Alleviation of anxiety by serving as a resource for answering questions, offering suggestions and encouragement.
• Facilitating fuller participation in the birth by the father/partner.
• Filling in for the father/partner when they need to take a break.
• Being there to allow someone to accompany the infant during the first medical assessments while knowing mom is also being supported.
• The emotional relief that comes with knowing you are not alone in the supportive role.

Article: Dads & Doulas: Key Players on Mother’s Labor Support Team

Article: DONA position papers on labor doulas

Article: Why a Doula is Better Than Your Best Friend

Labor doula services include:

• Complimentary consultation (usually lasts about an hour)
• A minimum of two prenatal visits at your home to cover all of your questions, concerns, and to create a birth plan. This is a great time to discuss comfort measures and to practice various birthing positions and movement.
• On call for two weeks prior and two weeks after your due date.
• Loving, unconditional labor support, starting whenever you request but is usually when active labor begins. Specific support with things like positions, breath coaching, using birth-ball, warm and cool compresses and back/neck/shoulder/leg rubs. I will also support your birth partner with active suggestions and encouragement.
• Early breastfeeding support.
• Also includes two postpartum visits. One during postpartum recovery in the hospital and another at home.

Fee for labor doula services: $800

NEW as of 2010!  Please ask me how you can get your health insurance company to reimburse you for having a doula present at your birth!

Please consider Best Start Birth Center or Birth Roots Birth Center for your birth.  We are very lucky to have these amazing facilities in San Diego.  Both are backed by nearby hospitals if the need to transfer arises.  Or just stay at home and birth your baby in your bed, bathtub or wherever you want with the help of one of many of San Diego’s wonderful homebirth midwives!

Barbara Herrera

Sunshine Chrispeels

Gerri Ryan

See my resources page which lists more local midwives.

If you need a referral for an OB doctor for your prenatal care and/or hospital birth that is mother/baby friendly, please consider:

Robert Biter, MD (OB without a hospital as of 5/7/10. More info soon, hopefully)

Nick Capetanakis, MD (Scripps Encinitas)

Sean Daneshmand, MD (Sharp Mary Birch)

Gary Blake, MD (Sharp Mary Birch)

Denis Tarakjian, MD (Sharp Mary Birch)

Rene Perez, MD (Kaiser Zion) (Breech Version)

More coming soon…