What Does a Doula Do?
Things doulas do:
~provide continuous labor support for birthing couple
~practical and proven comfort measures during labor, such as massage, aromatherapy, positions, etc.
~constant advocacy of your "birth plan" and desires...we work for you!
~facilitate communication between you and your health care provider
~teach you about informed choices for a more enjoyable birth
~include prenatal care providing educational and emotional support
~provide references for services outside of her scope
Things Doulas will not do:
~replace your healthcare provider
~replace your partner
~make choices for you
~not be honest with you
~prescribe medications
~provide continuous labor support for birthing couple
~practical and proven comfort measures during labor, such as massage, aromatherapy, positions, etc.
~constant advocacy of your "birth plan" and desires...we work for you!
~facilitate communication between you and your health care provider
~teach you about informed choices for a more enjoyable birth
~include prenatal care providing educational and emotional support
~provide references for services outside of her scope
Things Doulas will not do:
~replace your healthcare provider
~replace your partner
~make choices for you
~not be honest with you
~prescribe medications
Benefits of a Doula for your health and well being
The presence of a doula has been shown to reduce the following during labor*:
the overall cesarean rate by 50%
length of labor by 25%
Pitocin use by 40%
pain medication by 30%
the need for forceps by 40%
and requests for epidurals by 60%
* From the book, Mothering the Mother, Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed., C.S.W., 1993
Research also shows that couples report better bonding and women are more likely to have a positive birth memory with a doula. One study showed that the doula's presence in the birthing room alone betters birth outcomes. When she is actively attending the laboring woman, birth outcomes are statistically even better. Some studies have looked at the difference between Doula care and that of other birth professionals, such as nurses and midwives. For whatever reason, doula care has better birth outcomes with fewer interventions than other professional providing that kind of support.
"If a woman doesn't look like a Goddess during labor, then someone isn't treating her right." ~ Ina May Gaskin
the overall cesarean rate by 50%
length of labor by 25%
Pitocin use by 40%
pain medication by 30%
the need for forceps by 40%
and requests for epidurals by 60%
* From the book, Mothering the Mother, Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed., C.S.W., 1993
Research also shows that couples report better bonding and women are more likely to have a positive birth memory with a doula. One study showed that the doula's presence in the birthing room alone betters birth outcomes. When she is actively attending the laboring woman, birth outcomes are statistically even better. Some studies have looked at the difference between Doula care and that of other birth professionals, such as nurses and midwives. For whatever reason, doula care has better birth outcomes with fewer interventions than other professional providing that kind of support.
"If a woman doesn't look like a Goddess during labor, then someone isn't treating her right." ~ Ina May Gaskin
Our Doula Services
Birth Doula (includes 3 in-home meetings +continuous support during your labor/birth + unlimited text/phone/email) -$500 ($250 deposit, remainder is due within one month of the birth) *Extra Meetings as needed are provided for an additional fee. Also see other pages for Childbirth Education and Placenta Services.
Post Partum Doula (includes home visits, minimum 2 hours + newborn care education & support + mom’s care education & support + some practical support, such as cooking a meal/laundry/etc.) -$20 hourly rate
Labor, Birth, and Newborn Photography & Video (Doula Photographer will come to your home, hospital, birth center or location of your choosing for sensitive photos and video clips to capture the moments; includes a cd of edited pictures and originals.) -$150 for the birth or $50 for a 1 hour session. Video can be under water as well! For an additional $50 get a music video of the birth. See Blue Moon Birth facebook page for more photos
*A millage fee may be required depending on distance. Please ask about reduced pricing if you can provide proof of financial need.
Post Partum Doula (includes home visits, minimum 2 hours + newborn care education & support + mom’s care education & support + some practical support, such as cooking a meal/laundry/etc.) -$20 hourly rate
Labor, Birth, and Newborn Photography & Video (Doula Photographer will come to your home, hospital, birth center or location of your choosing for sensitive photos and video clips to capture the moments; includes a cd of edited pictures and originals.) -$150 for the birth or $50 for a 1 hour session. Video can be under water as well! For an additional $50 get a music video of the birth. See Blue Moon Birth facebook page for more photos
*A millage fee may be required depending on distance. Please ask about reduced pricing if you can provide proof of financial need.
Photography
by Sarah Weatherbee
Mother and newborn in the home, comfortably in bed, Baby Moon Day 2. |
 Couple hours old sweet angel baby.
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Links to a Good Birth
To help you educate yourself on and make informed decisions about different birth options follow the links below. Check out the links on pain medications available in hospitals (in case they become medically necessary), especially if giving birth in a hospital. (That being said, it is very unlikely that you would "need" them.)
Terms to know Click here
Epidurals: Info from the American Pregnancy Association Click here
Pain Medications/Analgesics/Narcotics: Info about common types, benefits and risks. Click here
Inducing Labor/Induction: Options and risks for getting labor started. Click here
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynocologists (ACOG) Guidelines that define medical induction of labor as necessary in the following circumstances:
Cord Clamping: info about the benefits of delayed clamping of the umbilical cord with research cited Click here
A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth is an all around good overview of results of the best available research about effects of specific maternity practices. The full text of the current edition (Oxford University Press, 2000) is available on this website courtesy of the authors: Murray Enkin, Marc J.N.C. Keirse, James Neilson, Caroline Crowther, Lelia Duley, Ellen Hodnett and Justus Hofmeyr. Click here
Natural Approach to the Third Stage of Labor: by Dr. Sarah Buckley from her book "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting". Click here
Hypnobirthing: Info about one woman's use of this great pain/fear coping technique that Blue Moon Birth supports and highly recommends. Your doula can assist you with hypnobirthing if this option appeals to you. Click here
Prenatal Yoga: A great way to get your body and mind ready for birth. Make sure you find an instructor certified in yoga during pregnancy. In St Petersburg, FL we recommend Living Room Yoga. Check out their Prenatal Class schedule here.
Birth Video: Here is a gentle birth at home, in water, using the HypBirth technique, with a midwife. Click here
Breastfeeding Benefits: Research on breastfeeding indicates that it is the best for Moms and Babies. Blue Moon Birth supports breastfeeding and will help you if you decide that breast is best as well! Click here
Terms to know Click here
Epidurals: Info from the American Pregnancy Association Click here
Pain Medications/Analgesics/Narcotics: Info about common types, benefits and risks. Click here
Inducing Labor/Induction: Options and risks for getting labor started. Click here
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynocologists (ACOG) Guidelines that define medical induction of labor as necessary in the following circumstances:
- your water has broken and labor has not begun.
- your pregnancy is postterm (more than 42 weeks).
- you have high blood pressure caused by your pregnancy.
- you have health problems, such as diabetes, that could affect your baby.
- you have an infection in the uterus.
- your baby is growing too slowly.
Cord Clamping: info about the benefits of delayed clamping of the umbilical cord with research cited Click here
A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth is an all around good overview of results of the best available research about effects of specific maternity practices. The full text of the current edition (Oxford University Press, 2000) is available on this website courtesy of the authors: Murray Enkin, Marc J.N.C. Keirse, James Neilson, Caroline Crowther, Lelia Duley, Ellen Hodnett and Justus Hofmeyr. Click here
Natural Approach to the Third Stage of Labor: by Dr. Sarah Buckley from her book "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting". Click here
Hypnobirthing: Info about one woman's use of this great pain/fear coping technique that Blue Moon Birth supports and highly recommends. Your doula can assist you with hypnobirthing if this option appeals to you. Click here
Prenatal Yoga: A great way to get your body and mind ready for birth. Make sure you find an instructor certified in yoga during pregnancy. In St Petersburg, FL we recommend Living Room Yoga. Check out their Prenatal Class schedule here.
Birth Video: Here is a gentle birth at home, in water, using the HypBirth technique, with a midwife. Click here
Breastfeeding Benefits: Research on breastfeeding indicates that it is the best for Moms and Babies. Blue Moon Birth supports breastfeeding and will help you if you decide that breast is best as well! Click here
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