Birth Doula Services
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2019 A Message from Sunday Inside this packet: Thank you for inquiring about includes an agreement for the services I provide, along doula services and related Research; Birth Partner; 2 with a trusted group of doula documents, let me know if you Doula Team colleagues. I would be have any questions or Expectations; Staying in 3 delighted to have the concerns. I am happy to Touch opportunity to share the communicate with you by amazing experience of email, or you are welcome to Birth Options; Comfort, 4 pregnancy and birth with you! call me to chat. Coping, Relaxation It is my mission to provide If you are interested in taking it Six Steps to a Healthy 5 respectful, holistic and one step further, we can engage our services, I suggest Birth compassionate support schedule a free no-obligation that we meet this first time at a public place, such as a coffee Optional Additional 6-7 throughout the childbearing introductory meeting so that shop or library. We can find a Services year with an emphasis on you can determine if The education, self-discovery and Doula Experience is the right spot that is convenient for Agreement for Birth 8-9 self-empowerment for those fit for you and your special both of us. Doula Services planning hospital or home needs. I look forward to speaking Client Registration Form 10 births. In order to protect your with you about how I and my Once you have reviewed this privacy, particularly in the colleagues can serve you! Client Confidentiality 11 information packet, which event that you may not wish to Release Form Information Why Choose a DONA Certified Birth Doula? Packet By hiring a DONA certified the highest standards and that would otherwise be done and birth doula, you can be assured under a strict code of by your doctor, midwife or that you have an experienced professional ethics. nurse, such as monitoring fetal and skilled guide by your side heart tones or checking for Agreement The DONA certified doula’s who has achieved a major scope of practice is very clear cervical dilation. for Doula professional milestone and and includes informational Because of her vast experience Services who is committed to guidance, emotional support, in the complex birth system, maintaining professional physical comfort measures and she can help you to navigate excellence. positioning to encourage labor this unfamiliar environment. You can be confident that your progress. She does not perform Your doula will remind you certified doula practices with any medical or clinical tasks that your voice and your choice matters! © 2019 The Doula Experience Perinatal Services Pa ge 2 Information Packet & Agreement for Doula Services 2019 What the Research Tells Us about Doula Support The original findings on the documenting their unique sections, fewer operative valuable effects of doula findings in the 1980s; and the vaginal deliveries (forceps or support happened quite by doula movement began! vacuum extraction), less need accident! Drs. Marshall Klaus Since then, extensive research to use artificial hormones, and John H. Kennell were has continued to conclusively fewer requests for pain seeking to prove the demonstrate that the support medications among mothers advantages of keeping mothers of a birth doula statistically who desire to avoid them, and babies together after birth, improves obstetrical outcomes, shorter labors, healthier babies, when they found that the mere decreases medical improved breastfeeding presence of a supportive complications, improves experiences and less researcher in the birth room mother-infant attachment, and postpartum depression. had very beneficial effects on promotes the expectant These improved outcomes are the mothers’ birth experiences. mother’s overall satisfaction exclusive to doula support and This led them to expand on with her experience. This are not replicated with the their field of research, first translates into fewer cesarean support of loved ones or professional staff. But, What about My Partner? A birth doula does not take the and cutting the cord. Other successful no matter how he or place of the birthing person’s partners may worry about the she wishes to participate. partner (be it the baby’s father responsibility of having to The doula can mentor the or another loved one), but she know what to do and when to “Our doula helped me partner who wants to be fully provides assistance in addition do it to help the mother to stay calm and enjoy involved, providing the birth of our baby.” to the partner’s loving support. manage her labor. Still others suggestions for what to do may feel squeamish about the —Former Client Dad For some partners, this time is when and how. And the doula filled with the anticipation of whole process. can help the reluctant or supporting the mother in every Your doula will help your nervous partner feel included possible way, from giving back partner feel comfortable and but safe in a less-responsible rubs to helping during pushing role. Your Doula Team You will have two doulas on periods of her unavailability. Of Although this is a rare your doula team. Your primary course, you will also meet your occurrence, arrangements might doula will be your main point of backup doula. need to be made for a third contact during your pregnancy You will be given an on-call backup doula to ensure 24/7 and will be available for you schedule, so that you know coverage. during the majority of the on- which doula is available for you The goal is to provide you with call period (37 to 42 weeks). whenever you might need to the assurance that you will have You will also have a backup speak with a doula and when doula support, no matter what doula who will work closely with you are in labor. the circumstances! your primary doula to cover any © 2019 The Doula Experience Perinatal Services Information Packet & Agreement for Doula Services 2019 Pa ge 3 What You Can Expect From Your Doulas Your doula team is committed and engage in discussions with We will provide resources and to your personal satisfaction in you on the benefits, risks, referrals, as needed and your birth and immediate tradeoffs and alternatives of requested. postpartum experience. those options, so that you can We will provide continuous We will work closely with you make informed and confident emotional, informational and to ease your fears and lessen decisions. physical support throughout your concerns. We will plan and implement the entirety of your birth We will help you identify your strategies for coping with your experience. birth values so you can prepare labor. We will keep your confidences more confidently for the type We will assist you in planning and protect your privacy, with of birth experience that feels your birth and communicating respect to both ordinary and just right for you. with your care providers. sensitive matters. We will assist you in fully We will respect your goals and understanding your options desires, without bias or judgment. What Your Doulas Expect of You First and foremost, your doula We expect that you will share our guidance and support, if it team expects that you will be your values and goals with us, would be helpful to you. honest with, and true to, as well as your special needs or We hope that you will prepare “If a doula were a yourself. In other words, individual circumstances and for your birth by attending a acknowledge and respect who allow us to help you design the drug, it would be good quality childbirth class. unethical not to use it.” you are and what appeals to type of support you need to you and plan and prepare for a achieve your goals. We hope you will not be shy —John H. Kennell, MD DONA International birth experience that will about asking for our assistance We encourage you to face your and allowing us to be a Founder satisfy you and not one that is fears and concerns and based solely on cultural ideals. shoulder to lean on and a approach them directly, with resource for you. Staying in Touch Communicating on a regular You can let your doulas know Phone calls about non-urgent basis will give you and your your preferred method of matters are welcomed between doula team the opportunity to communication prenatally, be 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday become even more familiar it phone calls, text messages or through Friday and until noon and comfortable with one emails, keeping in mind that on Saturday. For urgent another. A good rule of thumb each form of communication matters, such as a critical is to at least check in with your has its advantages and situation or during labor, call primary doula after each limitations. For example, for anytime, day or night. prenatal obstetrical more in-depth discussions, a Emails will be responded to appointment. If you don’t, she phone call or even an email is within 24 to 48 hours. will be checking in with you! preferable to a text message. © 2019 The Doula Experience Perinatal Services Pa ge 4 Information Packet & Agreement for Doula Services 2019 Options for Your Birth You have a lot of options to might require negotiation or an Do you want a VBAC, rather consider about the type of entirely different set of decisions, than scheduling a repeat birth experience you want. altogether. Some examples are: cesarean? If a cesarean section The choices you will make How do you feel about relying on becomes necessary, do you range from those that have a IV fluids instead of being free to have any special requests? good deal of significance to eat and drink at will? Do you When your baby is born, how those that simply represent have a preference for how and do you want him/her to be your personal style or goals.