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The kind of pregnancy, labor, and birth experience a woman has will have a profound and lifelong affect on their health, including their mental, emotional, and physical health.

Healthy nutrition, appropriate exercise, and pregnancy information can be of benefit throughout the entire pregnancy.

Labor can be a strenuous physical activity, but mothers and coaches can prepare both physically and mentally and with the help of their Doula to make their birth experience an even more beautiful and joyous event.

I encourage mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise and education to prepare themselves.

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications or interventions, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her birth plan and being her own advocate
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Encouraging the woman's partner to participate at his comfort level

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

 Being educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. I am prepared to provide physical, emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following. I offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications or interventions
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience making her feel empowered about her birth
• reduces the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
• reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for
• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
• Have greater success with breastfeeding
• Have greater self-confidence
• Have less postpartum depression