What is a labor and birth doula?
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The word doula is Greek for "women's servent." A labor and birth doula is someone who provides physical, emotional, and informational support for a woman prenatally, continuously during labor, and postpartum. As a doula, I cater my services to the individual needs of a family while helping them navigate the process of labor and birth, feel supported, and have a safe, empowering birth experience.
What is a certified labor and birth doula?
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A certified labor or birth doula is an experienced professional who is trained and educated in the labor and delivery process. I originally received my labor doula certification and re-certification through Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, OR. This labor doula program was crafted specifically for labor doulas and includes continuing education to help us stay up to date on the current best practices. Unfortunately they closed their doors in fall 2022, so I was unable to recertify again through them. I completed a labor doula cross-certification through Birth Arts International in May 2023.
What are the evidence-based benefits of having a doula?
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*Decrease in the use of Pitocin
*Decreased risk of C-section
*Increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
*Decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
*Decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
*Increase in satisfaction with birth experience
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How can you support me while in labor?
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How I support you depends on what your wishes are for your birth. I am passionate about natural birth and have supported many families who have planned a natural birth with no interventions. However, I have also supported and welcome those on the other end of the spectrum who desire an epidural as soon as possible.
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A few of the ways I've supported women while in labor are:
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*Offering encouragement
*Suggesting position changes, encouraging the use of a birth ball, labor tub, shower, and heat for pain.
*Suggesting natural methods for progressing labor if stalled
*Providing hip squeezes for back labor
*Providing sacrum counter pressure and massage
*Encouraging the Gate Control theory for pain with combs, touch, or a tens unit
*Coaching a partner how to help with massage and pressure
*Supporting a partner so they feel helpful and part of your birth
*Allowing a partner to grab food, use the restroom, or take a nap without he/she feeling like they're leaving you in labor alone
*Providing support for single moms or those without any support people joining them in labor
*Providing information so you can make the best decision possible
*Providing visuals of progress for non-English speaking family members or those not familiar with the birth process to aid in understanding what is happening.
*Hand holding and encouraging breathing during IV or epidural placement
*Utilizing a peanut ball and assisting with position changes if you are confined to bed with an epidural
*Reminding you of your birth plan
*Reassuring you that you CAN do this!
*Supporting your decisions and conversations with medical staff
*Taking basic pictures and videos of labor and birth for those who desire
What are the limits to a doula's role in pregnancy and birth?
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Unlike doctors, midwives, and nurses, doulas are not medical professionals. I do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure checks, fetal heart monitoring, vaginal exams, deliver your baby, etc. I provide only physical, emotional, and educational support.
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Doulas do not make decisions for you or speak on your behalf to medical professionals, but I can discuss concerns with you, and support you during discussions with medical staff. This may involve helping you get the information you need, hearing all the options, and making suggestions to help you make your own informed decisions.
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I have a husband/mother/sister/friend/partner who will be with me during labor. Do you replace them?
Absolutely not! Most primary support persons want to be involved with supporting the mom in labor, and I am happy to partner with other support people to best support you during labor.
What is your experience as a doula?
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While I have been attending births for several years, I am a very part time doula by choice and I'm currently only attending a few births a year. I have experience with hospital births, births at freestanding birth centers, and homebirths. As a doula, my experience includes attending natural, unmedicated births, births where the mother opted to receive an epidural, vaginal births after cesareans (VBACS), inductions, cesarean births, high risk births, and births of single mothers.
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I am able to attend births at any hospital, birth center, or home (with a qualified provider attending) between Salem and North Portland. I've attended home births and have experience at the following hospitals and birth centers in the area:
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OHSU, Legacy Emmanuel, Legacy Salmon Creek, Adventist, Providence Portland, Keizer Sunnyside, Keizer Westside, Peacehealth Southwest, Providence St. Vincent, Aurora Birth Center, Andaluz Waterbirth Center, and St. Charles Medical Center (Bend).
Do you have any advice for choosing a doula?
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Birth is a personal and intimate experience. I encourage you to interview more than one doula. The most important decision when choosing a doula is to find one that you and your partner both feel comfortable with. Ask yourself who you felt most heard and supported by and with whom you had the best connection. I believe it is vital for doulas and clients to have an ease of conversation and mutual trust.
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I plan to decline some standard procedures at the hospital for myself and my baby. How will you support us?
One of the biggest factors in whether you look back on your birth as a positive experience is how informed and involved you felt in the decisions about your care and your baby’s care.
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Throughout pregnancy and during labor and birth, your doctor or midwife will recommend different tests, procedures, or treatments. It’s always okay to ask questions and make sure you understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives before deciding what feels right for you and your growing family. I’ve supported families who chose to decline some or all standard procedures, and I’ve supported families who felt comfortable saying yes to everything their provider or hospital recommended. Both are equally valid choices.
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For most clients, especially those planning a hospital birth, I like to talk through the standard procedures for labor, delivery, and newborn care during our first prenatal visit. If you’d like, I can share evidence-based information about the options so you can feel confident in your decisions. No matter what choices you make, you deserve to feel supported, and my role is to walk alongside you and honor the decisions that feel right for your family.