Providing Birth Doula Services in the Twin Cities and Surrounding Areas!
What is a Doula?
Doula is a Greek work meaning a woman caregiver. Today it is generally used to describe a support person during childbirth or during post partum. She is a trained and experienced labor companion that provides emotional and physical support for a woman in labor. She understands the emotions and physiology of labor. She can assist a woman in getting the information she needs to make an educated decision.
Me and My Doula Philosophy
I live in South Minneapolis with my husband and three kids. After the birth of my first son I was amazed by the experience. I realized and appreciated that at a birth where you feel supported it is an extremely empowering experience. When I was pregnant I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, this completely changed the way I thought of childbirth and definitely recommend it to anyone who is expecting.
I will support you in the birth that YOU want to have. I believe that every woman knows the exact right way to birth HER baby. With the right support you will make all the right decisions and take all the right steps. I will be there reminding you, supporting you and encouraging you. I will provide suggestions that may be helpful. When a woman is allowed and supported to follow her own body and her own instincts she gets the very best outcome for her and her baby.
I am also in the middle of cranio-sacral therapy training and find this a very useful tool to have at a birth and before hand.
What to Expect
After choosing to move forward with my doula services I will meet with you and your partner at least once before labor. We will explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns you have about birth. We will discuss comfort measures, things that help you relax, and things that you find not helpful. We can also talk about different laboring and pushing positions. I will bring my "doula bag" so you can see all the things I will have at your birth.
If you would like we can also meet a few times pre-natally for cranio-sacral therapy, I have not completed my training but have found the techniques that I do know to be very helpful for pregnancy.
When you are in labor I will join you whenever you feel you would like me to come. I can come to your home or meet you at the hospital or birth center. While you are in labor I will provide emotional support and encouragement. I will be there for physical support helping with different positions, massage, cranio-sacral techniques and all the little things that may come up. Don't worry partners, my job is to make you look good, not to take away from your experience together!
After baby is born I will visit you in the first few days and then again in a couple weeks after the baby is born. During this time you can call me or e-mail me with anything that may come up. You can count on me for breastfeeding support if you choose to breastfeed as it is something I am very passionate about.
