What is a birth doula?
The word "doula" originated in ancient Greece and simply meant "servant". In terms of childbirth, it now refers to a non-medical professional who provides continuous physical and emotional support during labor, childbirth, and immediately after. Imagine if you could take your childbirth educator with you to your birth - that is what is like to have a birth doula!
Studies have shown that hiring a doula can help reduce the use of interventions in childbirth and improves the experience overall. Click here for details.
As a doula, I do not give medical advice or perform or interpret medical procedures such as vital signs, fetal heart tones, or vaginal exams. I explain options, procedures, and tests to give birthing parents the information they need to make their own informed decisions and I am supportive of those decisions no matter what.
I believe that all people should have full autonomy over their own body and I consider this a key philosophy in my practice. Therefore, I am a Pro-Choice doula. Since this issue is very important to many people, I'm stating it here upfront for all potential clients to know where I stand.
I consider it an honor to be invited to attend the birth of a new baby.