BIRTH DOULA
The word doula comes from the ancient Greek meaning ‘a woman who serves’ and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula:
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
- Allows the woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level
(From DONA International’s website)
As a birth doula I give two prenatal visits at your home to talk about your options, plans and thoughts about the labor and the birth. I will help you to explore the relaxation techniques including breath-work and movements that will help you to relax during the labor. I will physically and emotionally be with you during the labor and the birth, stay a couple of hours after the birth for continuous support and give you a postpartum follow-up visit to celebrate the birth. I conduct my practices in New York area and Istanbul.
Please contact me for your questions, availability and the prices of the birth doula service.
