Why Hire a Doula?
There are many great reasons to use a Doula. Besides being a wonderful and constant support for the mother and her partner, a doula respects your decisions and supports you to the fullest in achieving the kind of birth you have envisioned for yourself.
As a doula, I accompany women and their partners in labour to help them achieve their goal of a safe and satisfying birth experience. I am a non-clinical care provider and as such I do not perform any medical tasks or exams or offer medical opinions or make suggestions that go against medical advice from your care giver.
Coaching the Coach!
It is often the belief that when dad is present and eager to help, and when the labour and delivery are taking place in a hospital with a dedicated nurse, then a Doula is an unnecessary expense.
The reality though, is that nurses take breaks, their shifts end and paperwork and charting must be completed. Parents are often left alone or find a nurse they really connected with is off shift and must get used to a new caregiver, during a critical time in their labour.
With this reality, dads are often put into the pressure position of 'expert'. But even the most thorough childbirth classes will not prepare dad or any family member for the reaction they will have when they see their loved one in pain. A Doula can help the couple as a whole through their journey. The Doula will be there to coach the coach (dad), support and enhance the labour for both mom and dad. The Doula will be the extra pair of hands to help massage, to give dad a break, to get ice chips and hot packs. She is there to reassure the couple and to allow everyone the freedom to feel and express their emotions as they witness the birth of their new family.
Doulas can never replace a dad in the labour room. He holds a special bond with the mother that can not be taken over by the Doula. Yet having her there, takes the pressure off dad so he can aid his wife through labour and delivery at his own comfort level.
Some of the other important benefits include*
- Reduction in the need for Cesarean Sections
- Length of labour reduced by 25%
- Oxytocin use reduced by 40%
- Use of narcotics reduced by 30%
- Forceps reduced by 30%
- Epidurals reduced by 60%
- Improved breastfeeding
- Increased time spent with baby
- Decreased postpartum depression
*From Mothering the Mother by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus (1993)
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Kindred Spirit Childbirth Services is Proud to be a member of the Toronto Doula Group.
Our Best Value on services is our HypnoBirthing Doula Services You recieve 5 private HypnoBirthing classes in your home and your HypnoBirthing teacher will attend you in your labour and delivery.
Call 416-269-9029 or email torontodoula@gmail.com if you have any questions or to register for this service.
