The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

Antepartum Doula (For Mothers who are High Risk)

The Antepartum Doulas can provide support specialized for high risk pregnancy.   This Doula is extensively trained to assist mothers that are in bed rest or diagnosed with medical conditions necessitating the need for help. Working along with health care professionals they can provide care and support for healthier outcomes.

This assistance includes education, physical support such as bed rest assistance, sibling care, errands, meal preparation, light home care, and emotional support. The Antepartum Doula does not perform any clinical care.

Labor Doula

The Labor Doula delivers emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The Doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "doula" .
Typically, Labor Doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She will help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization/guided imagery, meditation and breathing skills useful for labor.   She will educate you and your partner on specific use of aromatherapy oils , accupressure points and positioning techniques that will aid you along the birthing process in an enviroment that is optimal for you.  Most importantly, the Doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options. In addition she will help you   determine pre labor from true labor and early labor from active labor. Assist you by:

Creating a birthing plan & ensuring your birthing plan is followed as close as possible without disrupting your medical care from hospital staff. 

Providing informational & emotionl support for you and your partner
Teaching you natural coping methods using aromaherapy and accupressure

Encouraging nutrition and fluids prior to and in early labor
Assist you in using a variety of helpful birthing positions to aid in the progress of labor
Help the environment to be one in which you feel secure and confident
Provide detailed information on birth options

As your Doula we work towards making you the most comfortable and assist you in going without medical intervention, whatever you choose we are here to support your decision. We will never discourage you from seeking comfort using an epidural or mild pain reliever. 

We work cooperatively with the health care team.   In the event of a complication, we can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options your family may have. We may also help with the initial breastfeeding and in preserving the privacy of   your new family during the first hour after birth.

Postpartum Doula (A.K.A Baby Nurse)

The   Postpartum Doula caregiver is there to help educate you with evidence based knowledge and to provide nurturing and supportive help for your entire family during   your healing process following the birth, as well as to assist as   your roles change with the birth of a your new child. Mothers and fathers both need postpartum support as they re-define their new roles in the family. This can be one of your families most exciting, yet emotional fill times. Everybody experiences the postpartum period differently, therefore, all feelings and emotions are acceptable and safe to express, thus will not be judged.   The Postpartum Doulas role with each family will vary as there is no precise time frame of how long your Doula will be needed. This will depend on your family and what other support systems such as friends and relatives ability to give the gift of time and your comfort zone with them.   A general time frame may be 8 to 12 weeks following the birth of your baby. A Postpartum Doula will provide services such as:

Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...

Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...

Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...

Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...

Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...

Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...

Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.