Joy N' Birth Doula Services

What is a Doula?

A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The certified doula is trained to deliver 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.

What Does A Doula Do?

Joy N Birth 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. We will help you develop a birth plan and be happy to assist to answering questions and creating the perfect birthing environment for you and your family. Most importantly, your doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.

A doula can help the woman to determine prelabor from true labor and early labor from active labor. At a point determined by the woman in labor, the doula will come to her and assist her by:

• Helping her to rest and relax
• Providing support for the woman's partner
• Assisting her in using a variety of helpful positions and comfort measures
• Constantly focus on the comfort of both the woman and her partner
• Helping the environment to be one in which the woman feels secure and confident
• Providing her with information on birth options

A doula works cooperatively with the health care team. In the event of a complication, a doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options the family may have. The doula may also help with the initial breast-feeding and in preserving the privacy of the new family during the first few hours after birth.