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BIRTH DOULA SERVICES We believe strongly that doula services are an essential part of the team that provides care to a childbearing woman and her family. What is a Doula and Why Have One? Doulas provide emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth and immediate postpartum. A Doula does not replace the partner. Instead she helps support the partner so that he can love and encourage the labouring woman. The partner will quickly find out that the Doula helps enrich their role by also supporting them, individually and as a couple. The Doula provides experience, knowledge, guidance and helps to create fond birth memories. Relevant Statistics: Every woman deserves a Doula present at her birth. Statistically speaking, the difference in a Doula-supported birth versus a birth without a Doula is astounding:
There are several things a Doula can do to help make your birth experience everything you hope for. Labor is a time to shower the mom-to-be with some tender loving care, and comfort measures such as massage can be essential to keeping things moving along. A Doula provides continuous, uninterrupted support throughout labor and delivery. She offers massage, suggestions for position changes, relaxation techniques, reminders to stay hydrated and keep her bladder empty. Doulas are trained in methods to help make your birth experience more comfortable. A Doula can suggest different positions to ease labor and help with pushing. She also believes in a woman's instinctive ability to birth her baby. A Doula will help you communicate your needs to your caregivers. A Doula can also help the birth partner become a more active participant during labor and birth. The Birth Doulas who work with Heart and Hands Perinatal Services are all certified with DONA International (www.dona.org), the premier organization for doulas in North America and Mexico. Due to the nature of being on call for any women's birth, we all work together, providing back-up for each other. Depending on your due date, you will be given the names of 1 or more doulas who are available for you. She will work with one other doula who will be back up. Please fill out the form on the contact page or call us at 604 533 0051. We will be happy to introduce you to a birth doula that meets your needs. Your doula will work with you and your partner/labour support person, getting to know you and discussing your hopes and wishes for your birth, answering any questions, providing personalized information and helping to prepare a birth plan. She will describe her role fully and introduce you to the back up doula for your estimated time of birth. Birth Doula Services and Rates:
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There
are many benefits beyond what is noted above. Generally speaking, couples/women
that have a Doula at the birth of their child express greater satisfaction
with the birth experience even if things don't go as planned. And generally
speaking - because of the statistics listed above - the outcome is healthier
babies and moms, and better breastfeeding experiences.
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