dou·la ˈdo͞olə/ noun noun: doula; plural noun: doulas
A woman who is trained to assist another woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born.
We believe it is every woman’s right to have an informed pregnancy and to receive physical and emotional support during birth from a loving and compassionate birth partner. A doula helps the pregnant woman and her partner by:
- providing physical and emotional support during labor
- helping them make informed birth choices by providing evidenced-based information
- giving the woman an opportunity to labor at home as long as possible before going to an out-of-home birth (i.e. birthing center or hospital)
- providing unbiased support, however and wherever she chooses to have your baby
- taking the pressure off of the birth partner (husband, wife, sister, mom, etc.) to let them do what they do best
- helping them create realistic birth plans and navigate changes when/if they arise
- HOLDING SPACE
Women who receive continuous labor support are:
- more likely to give birth spontaneously
- less likely to give birth via caesarean or with a vacuum or forceps
- less likely to use pain medications
- more likely to be satisfied
- have slightly shorter labor
- are less likely to have low Apgar scores
- more likely to have a natural childbirth
If you are interested in labor support services, please call, text or email me and we can set up an interview at your convenience. I provide doula services at home births, birth centers and hospitals throughout the Hill Country, including (but not limited to) Austin, San Antonio, Wimberley, New Braunfels, Blanco, Dripping Springs and San Marcos.