"If a Doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use one." 

John Kennell, Mothering the Mother

Serving South Jordan, UT and surrounding areas

WHAT A DOULA DOES:

~ Believes in a woman's ability to know her body - its rythym and cues - her labor, and her baby, and helps her and her partner trust this knowledge.

~ Helps women/couples to draw on their strengths and feel happy their accomplishments.

                                                                                       ~ Compliments, rather than replaces, the                                                                                            partner, supporting him in  partic-

                                                                                          ipating at his own comfort level.  The                                                                                                 positive and useful role of the partner                                                                                               during labor and birth, one that                                                                                                          supercedes the role of any other, can                                                                                                be the main factor in a woman's                                                                                                         satisfaction with her experience.

                                                                                       ~ Reminds them of their goals and                                                                                                        informs them of all their available                                                                                                  options, including risks and                                                                                                           benefits while respecting the integrity                                                                                             of the clients' informed choices.

~ Works as an advocate for you with the hospital staff and facilitates communication.

~ Recommends a variety of comfort measures and relaxation techniques.

~ Strives to maintain a sacred atmosphere for your birthing, no matter what the outcome, affording you a lifetime positive memory.

WHAT A DOULA DOES NOT DO:

~ Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.

~ Make decisions for you.  She will help you gather information necessary to make an informed decision, alert you if there is a departure rom your birth plan, and advocate this to the staff, but can not speak to your caregivers on your behalf.

~ Doula (Doo-lah):  Comes from the  Greek meaning woman helper.  The modern definition is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after the birth.

~ A Doula offers reassurance, objective perspective, suggestions for labor progress, relaxation techniques, massage, positioning, as well as other measures for comfort. She nurtures the womanas well as her partner, enabling him

to participate at his own comfort level, thereby

increasing his confidence, as well as the

laboring mother's.

~ When a woman/couple approaches labor,

they may have an unrealistic perception of

what ordinarily happens during birth.  Their

preparedness is often based on material from

childbirth classes, books, media, and from

hearing others birth stories, both negative

and positive.  Through the Doula's first hand

experience and detailed knowledge of birth,

she adds an objective viewpoint,

freeing the woman/couple to make truely

informed decisions.

~ A Doula is also a compliment, but not a substitute, to your caregivers, helping to bridge gaps, advocate, and provide continuity of care, which is an essential element of a positive birth experience.

She works for and is soley reponsible to you, not a caregiver or hospital, and strives to preserve the integrity of your experience, encouraging a joyous and gentle passage for you and your baby.

~ The birth of a baby represents the birth of a family, and a Doula can provide the support necessary to relax, enjoy, and celebrate the birth of your family.

"I've run marathons, done a lot of hiking, worked 40 hours straight; but laboring with my wife was more stenuous and exhausting than any of those.  I would have struggled without our doula.  She was crucial for us."

~A Father

The Doula Service

Your Birth Package Includes:

• Two 2 hour prenatal visits to establish a rapport and clarify your goals for birth.
  

• Assistance with a birth plan.  Birth plans are a must for those planning a hospital birth.
  

• 24 hour on-call service 2 weeks prior to the due date until the delivery day.
  

• Unlimited time in labor.
  

• If requested, photography of the birth
  

• Breastfeeding support
  

• Written birth story
  

• Postpartum phone support
  

Cost

The investment for the Doula Service is a sliding scale between $500-650

with a $100 non- refundable deposit

due at the second prenatal visit,

and the balance due 2 weeks before the due date.

In the case of a scheduled cesarean,

the investment is $400.

Visa, Mastercard, Check, or Money Order Accepted.

(Monies are held until after the birth and doula services have been rendered.)

• 60% reduction in epidural requests
  

• 40% reduction in pitocin use
  

• 50% reduction in cesarean section
  

• 25% reduction in labor time
  

• 30% reduction in additional pain medication use
  

• Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection
  

• Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
  

• Reduced incidence of post-partum depression
  

• Parents have higher regard and increased sensitivity towards babies
  

• Greater parental satisfaction with the birth
  

• Increased breastfeeding success
  

*  Study references at the bottom of this page

"My Doula was my friend, strength, shield, teacher, and mostly... my anchor in a sea of confusion, pain, and fatigue.  She was to me what a lighthouse is to a ship; a gentle guide showing your destination and helping you avoid unecessary hazards."

~A Mother

Clients Served

Practicing since 1997, the types of births I've attended as a doula include:

• Classical VBAC (with a vertical scar)
  

• Bikini VBAC's (low transverse scar)
  

• Posterior babies
  

• Ascynclitic Babies
  

• Labors lasting more than 24 hours
  

• Home and Hospital births
  

• Single mothers as well as couples
  

• Waterbirths
  

• Inductions
  

• Full Term Twins
  

• Uncomplicated vaginal births of 10 and 11+ pound babies
  

• Uncomplicated vaginal births of babies whose head circumference is up to 15 inches
  

Potential Benefits of Using a Doula

Why Use a Doula?

A Doula's Role

*  Statistical references

1. Scott KD, Berkowitz G, Klaus M. A comparison of intermittent and continuous support during labor: a meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999 May 180:5 1054-9.

2. Kennell J, Klaus M, McGrath S, Robertson S, Hinkley C. Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1991 May 1 265:17 2197-201

3. Scott KD, Klaus PH, Klaus MH. The obstetrical and postpartum benefits of continuous support during childbirth. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 1999 Dec;8:1257-64.

4. Keenan P. Benefits of massage therapy and use of a doula during labor and childbirth. Altern Ther Health Med 2000 Jan;6:66-74.

5. Wang D, Mao X, Qian S. Clinical observation on Doula delivery. Chung Hua Fu Chan Ko Tsa Chih 1997 Nov 32:11 659-61.

6. Zhang J, Bernasko JW, Leybovich E, Fahs M, Hatch MC. Continuous labor support from labor attendant for primiparous women: a meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol 1996 Oct 88:4 Pt 2 739-44

7. Nolan M. Supporting women in labour: the doula's role. Mod Midwife 1995 Mar 5:3 12-5.

8. Gordon NP, Walton D, McAdam E, Derman J, Gallitero G, Garrett L. Effects of providing hospital-based doulas in health maintenance organization hospitals. Obstet Gynecol 1999 Mar 93:3 422-6.

9. Langer A, Campero L, Garcia C, Reynoso S. Effects of psychosocial support during labour and childbirth on breastfeeding, medical interventions, and mothers' wellbeing in a Mexican public hospital: a randomised clinical trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998 Oct 105:10 1056-63.

10. Klaus MH, Kennell JH. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatr 1997 Oct 86:10 1034-6.

11. Raphael D. Support and variation, the needs of the breast-feeding woman. Acta Paediatr Jpn 1989 Aug 31:4 369-72.

12. Barron SP, Lane HW, Hannan TE, Struempler B, Williams JC. Factors influencing duration of breast feeding among low-income women. J Am Diet Assoc 1988 Dec 88:12 1557-61.

13. Campero L, García C, Díaz C, Ortiz O, Reynoso S, Langer A. ''Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do'': a qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Soc Sci Med 1998 Aug 47:3 395-403.

14. Manning-Orenstein G. A birth intervention: the therapeutic effects of Doula support versus Lamaze preparation on first-time mothers' working models of caregiving. Altern Ther Health Med 1998 Jul 4:4 73-81.

Doula Services