How to Find a Doula

Many pregnant women, especially the first time around, hire a doula (a word from the Greek, meaning female birth companion) to support them throughout labor and delivery.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephones
• Notebooks
• Pencils Or Pens
• Notebooks

1. Start looking for a doula well before your due date. Most only take a few clients a month, so you need to book early.

2. Ask your doctor, midwife, childbirth educator, friends and anyone else you trust for recommendations.

3. Consider what you want. Some doulas have nursing degrees. Others are trained in massage or acupuncture. Several organizations certify doulas, but it's a new process, so most won't have certification.

4. Interview at least two. Find out exactly what services are provided and how much they cost. Will she help you bring the baby home? Work with you on establishing nursing or other early parenting concerns?

5. Choose someone whose ideas about birth are similar to yours.

6. Meet with the doula in person to discuss your preferences and concerns. Introduce her to your partner and anyone else who will be with you during delivery.

Tips & Warnings

• A doula's job is to stay with you throughout labor. Use her to give other members of your birth team a break.
• Because research consistently shows that continual support reduces expensive interventions during labor and delivery, you might be able to negotiate with your insurance company to cover the doula's fee.
• Labor and birth are unpredictable, and all the encouragement, reassurance and comfort a doula can provide can't guarantee that you'll have a smooth birth.

[brittany12787]

on 9/10/2008 I am a doula located in Saint Paul, MN. I wanted to add some statistics on doulas:

Numerous studies have shown that the presence of a doula at a birth results in:

50% reduction in cesarean rates*
40% reduction in forcep deliveries*
25% shorter labors*
60% reduction in epidural requests*
40% reduction in oxytocin (Pitocin) use*
better mother-infant bonding*
30% reduction in analgesia use*
reduced post-partum depression*

www.freewebs.com/saintpauldoula for more info!

[kairos]

on 2/18/2008 Allison Harris NCTMB,LMT,CD(DONA)
Kairos Holistic Healing Arts Birth Support Services
240-631-8868
email: [e-mail]
www.kairosdoulas.net
Serving Md, DC and Va.
Labor support, antepartum and postpartum doula services, and childbirth education

Services: In the last months of your pregnancy, you will meet with a member of our professional staff, to discuss previous pregnancies, medical history, answer questions, address fears & concerns, help to educate you on available options & alternatives, & assist in creating a personalized, birth preference outline, stating your needs & desires for labor. She will also help you to develop individualized coping skills & relaxation techniques. Your doula will be available by phone for questions, & to discuss updates on the progress of your pregnancy.

When your labor begins, your doula will remain with you throughout you

on 11/22/2005 I am a Doula, and I want to give the advice to ask the Doula you are interviewing about her training. Make sure she has had training, and if need be ask for proof. Happy birthing!