My goal is to provide unbiased information, emotional support, and physical comfort for the family. I will not offer medical advice, express judgments, or make any decisions. Examples of what you can expect:
- at least 1 prenatal meeting to discuss your wishes for your birth experience and how I can best support your choices
- Continuous support before labor by phone or email as a source of information, reassurance, and encouragement when needed
- Attendance at home during early labor if requested
- Continuous support throughout the labor and birth for both the laboring mom and her partner
- Assisting your birth partner with reassurance, encouragement, information, and physical support (sometimes it logistically takes two people to physically support a laboring mom depending on positioning and methods of pain relief)
- Reminders of typical signs of labor and comfort measures throughout labor including non-pain related discomforts after pain relief is provided
- "interpretation" of medical information (if needed) during labor including available options so you can feel confident in understanding and choosing what is best for you
- Assistance with positioning during a posterior labor
- Continuous support of the mother if her partner needs respite
- Taking care of tasks for the birth partner (getting food/beverage, updating visitors in the waiting room, etc) so that the mother's partner can provide continuous support
- Taking some of the first precious photographs of the new baby and family (if desired or requested)
- Assistance with breastfeeding in the immediate postpartum period (if desired or requested)
- In the event of complications, continuous support to the mother during the postpartum period so the partner can focus on the newborn without leaving the mother alone
- Meeting with you at home at least once during the postpartum period to help you settle in, answer any questions, and assist with breastfeeding if needed. Below are two common questions that I would like to address…
I have a supportive partner - will having a doula diminish his role? I absolutely will not take over your partner's role. First of all, your partner is your most important source of support, so I would never want to diminish that. Second, this is his birth experience too, and I would never want to take anything away from what should be a joyous time for him. I am here to support you as a family and support your collective choices for labor and birth. As much as I may be a support to a laboring mom, I am also a source of support for her partner. That may mean being a more of a "coach for the coach" vs a coach for the laboring mom - providing encouragement and support to her partner and helping with suggestions and reminders for comfort techniques or reassurance and encouragement in challenging situations. On the other hand, it may mean being the primary "coach" if the partner wants to take on more of a caring, loving, and supportive role without the pressure of being the sole supporter for the laboring mom. This is up to you to determine and I will honor and respect your choice and be only as involved as you want me to be. My goal is to accentuate your partner's role - either in being the best coach he can be or being the best comforter and supporter he can be. I plan on having an epidural – why should I still have a doula? I will not give any pressure or make any judgments about your choices for pain relief or any other interventions. I can be a source of information to help you make an informed decision if you are unsure or have questions, but ultimately you and your partner decide what is best for your family. I will completely respect and fully support your decision. Regardless of your decision for pain relief, numerous studies have shown that when laboring women have continuous professional support they are significantly less likely to have a cesarean (odds decreased by 45%), less likely to have an assisted delivery via vacuum or forceps (34% decrease), shorter labors (about half as long on average), and a better postpartum experience (increased breastfeeding rates, better infant health, increased confidence in parenting, and decreased rates of postpartum depression). A doula is simply a professional labor assistant. My goal is to assist and support you and your partner to have the birth experience you desire. I would be honored to support your family during this amazing time! Please contact me for package options and pricing. Sincerely,
Jennifer Edmonds
The Supported Birth
Birth Doula
info@youneedadoula.com
860-880-0703
