Anchorage Birth & Postpartum Doulas - Recently Updated Pages

Birth Doula Listing

anchoragedoula — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:36:19 CST

Here is a list of birth doulas in the Greater Anchorage area. We are all trained through different organizations but firmly believe in supporting the laboring woman and her family before, during and after birth.

We've found it best to call several to ask the most basic questions, and then later, choose three or four from the list to meet with face to face.

Questions you want to ask on the phone include...

Are you taking any new doula clients for the month I'm due?
What's your experience and training as a doula?
How would you describe your approach to birth as a doula?
What's your price? And can you provide me with references?

While the answers to your questions are important, you're really looking more to see how you feel with them on the phone. Do you feel comfortable? Do they sound like someone you could relate to? Do you like the sound of their voice? (Yes, really! That is the voice you'll be listening to during birth, and you want it to be pleasant for you.) Once you go through your list, arrange to meet face to face with two or three (or four!) of them.

Even if the first doula you meet feels like the perfect match, you can still meet with other doulas. Being able to compare will help in making your choice. Also, make sure your partner meets the doula as well. It's essential that he also feels comfortable with your chosen doula. Clicking on the "Members" tab above will take you to a page of doula profiles. In order to help you in your doula search you can read a little more about each doula.

Name (Member Profile Name) Phone Email Website Address
Ariel Anderson (ariel_elizabeth2002) ..... (254)289-5758 ..... 2helpfulhands@gmail.com ..... http://2helpfulhandsdoula.weebly.com
Dayna Brockman ..... 539-7829 ..... fireweedayna@yahoo.com
Crystal Cecil ..... 230-6608 ..... blossoming_bellies_doula@yahoo.com ..... http://blossomingbelliesdoula.weebly.com/
Anna Cha ..... 242-4408 ..... anna@thechafamily.com
Teresa Dickson ..... 354-8986 ..... tdickson@gmail.com
Cindy Earley-Steinke (arcticmama) .....344-6210H/748-3378C.....arcticmama@gci.net.....www.birthalaska.com
Wendy Gardner (WendyGardner) .....336-7614H.....gerwen1@gmail.com
Tammy Gifford (roadfamily6now) .....444-9377C.....roadfamily6now@hotmail.com.....www.northernblessingsdoula.webs.com
Amy Hayes (AmyHayes) ..... 440-9188 ..... chena@alaska.net
Denise Hibben (peaceful_beginnings) ..... 310-9799 ..... peaceful_beginnings_birth@yahoo.com
Jessica Jans (JessicaJans).....254-0982..... jessicajans@yahoo.com
Erin Knoch.....344-6975H.....douladuo@knochs.net
Stella Lyn (Stella Lyn) ..... 541-261-3537 ..... stellalyn@gmail.com ..... www.stellalyn.com
Jillian Morrissey ..... 715-2381C ..... squarepond@hotmail.com
Nikalee Rath ..... 854-2476 ..... bnikalee@gmail.com
Jerrina Reed-Van Wormer (Jerrina~Enchanted) .....336-6797.....enchantedbeginnings@gmail.com
Brenna Reynolds (ForgetMeNotMamma) ..... 223-5322 ..... brennareynolds@gmail.com
Heather Reier (AnchorageDoula) .....350-3671C/346-2737H.....anchoragedoula@gmail.com.....www.anchoragedoula.com
Amanda Rothbarth (creativenorth) .....244-3508C.....creativenorth@mac.com.....www.doulaservicesnorth.com
Megan Stone (alaskalovin) ..... 884-0644 ..... megan907@live.com
Terra Wamack (TerraWamack) ..... 350-1999 ..... mrswamack@gmail.com
Cathy White (CathyWhite) .....338-1478H/351-8326W.....byyourside_doula@hotmail.com
Krista Whitlock (AlaskanBeginnings) ..... 242-2312 ..... AlaskanBeginnings@gmail.com ..... www.AlaskanBeginnings.com

Operation Special Delivery

anchoragedoula — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:20:26 CST

Operation Special Delivery (or OSD), provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured or who have lost their lives due to the current war on terror, or who will be deployed, or unable to attend the birth due to military reasons. The doulas that are volunteering are doing so at a pro bono (free) rate, and are doing so by their own discretion.

Why military moms? OSD believes that no one should go through childbirth without support, especially the women who are giving birth while their husbands or partners are making such a great sacrifice for our country and our freedom.

For more information, feel free to visit the OSD website at http://www.operationspecialdelivery.com. You can also contact our local state representative, Sarah Ochs, at ochs_sarah@yahoo.com. While many of our local doulas support military families during times of deployment the website www.doulas.com has a list of volunteer OSD doulas.

Postpartum Doula Listing

anchoragedoula — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:43:53 CDT

Here is a list of postpartum doulas in the Greater Anchorage area. We are all trained through different organizations but firmly believe in supporting the new mother and her family after a birth. Feel free to contact us.

Margot Adams . . . . . margot-adams@hotmail.com
Miranda DeSalvo . . . . . 317-1659 . . . . . mirandadesalvo@yahoo.com
Denise Hibben ..... 310-9799 ..... peaceful_beginnings_birth@yahoo.com
Ashlee Johnson . . . . . 688-2050 . . . . . ashlee83@juno.com
Alisa Parrent . . . . . 250-3154 . . . . . blessingsfromthewomb@yahoo.com
Nikalee Rath . . . . . 854-2476 . . . . . bnikalee@gmail.com
Jerrina Reed-Van Wormer . . . . . 336-6797 . . . . . enchangedbeginnings@gmail.com
Laura Tolman . . . . . 529-7403 . . . . . anchoragedoula@yahoo.com
Cathy White . . . . . 351-8326C/338-1478H . . . . . byyourside_doula@hotmail.com

Resources and Suggested Reading

anchoragedoula — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:43:12 CDT

We all have our favorites but here is a good collection of options:

Recommended Books

Homebirth In The Hospital - Kerr
Journey Into Motherhood - Menelli
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth - Goer
Creating Your Birth Plan - Wagner
Having a Baby, Naturally - O'Mara
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth - Kitzinger
The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth - Klaus & Kennell
The Baby Book - Sears
The No Cry Sleep Solution - Pantley
So That's What They're For! Breastfeeding Basics - Tamaro
The Happiest Baby on the Block - Karp

Favorite Links

Alaska Birth Network & CIMS

anchoragedoula — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:42:39 CDT

We Believe:

Birth is a normal, healthy process, not an illness or disease.
Empowering births can take place in birth centers, hospitals and homes.
Women are entitled to complete and accurate information on their full range of options for pregnancy, birth, post-partum and breastfeeding.
Women have a right to make health care decisions for themselves and their babies. That right includes Informed Consent, as well as Informed Refusal.

Our Mission & The MFCI:

Alaska Birth Network is a chapter of BirthNetwork National, a consumer based, grassroots organization based on the belief that birth can profoundly affect our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. We are experienced mothers, breastfeeding supporters, consumer advocates, midwives and complementary care providers all dedicated to the cause of promoting awareness and availability of Mother-Friendly Care, as defined below by the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, also known as the MFCI.
The MFCI is the work of The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), the collaborative effort of numerous individuals and more than 50 organizations representing over 90,000 members. Their mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs.
Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative: The CIMS document that defines the ten steps of Mother-Friendly care. A must-read for all childbirth professionals, advocates and families. The initiative outlines ten steps for mother-friendly care.
Mother Friendly Chlidbirth: Highlights of the Evidence This is a summary of the Evidence Basis document (above) contributed by consumer groups BirthNetwork National and Citizens for Midwifery that makes it possible to see at a glance the results of the research in a easy to comprehend, quick presentation. Great for educating others!
Mother-Friendly Childbirth: Highlights of the Evidence Access to Midwifery Care and Out-of-Hospital Birth
Another hand-out based upon the summary of the Evidence Basis document that was created in a collaboration by consumer groups BirthNetwork National and Citizens for Midwifery. This hand-out focuses on access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth. Another great educational tool!

10 Questions to Ask:

Have you decided how to have your baby? The choice is yours!

Evidence based information from CIMS, Coalition for Improving Maternity Services:
First, you should learn as much as you can about all your choices. There are many different ways of caring for a mother and her baby during labor and birth. Birthing care that is better and healthier for mothers and babies is called “mother-friendly.” Some birth places or settings are more mother-friendly than others.
A group of experts in birthing care came up with this list of 10 things to look for and ask about. Medical research supports all of these things. These are also the best ways to be mother-friendly.
When you are deciding where to have your baby, you’ll probably be choosing from different places such as:

birth center,
hospital, or
home birth service.

Here’s what you should expect, and ask for, in your birth experience. Be sure to find out how the people you talk with handle these 10 issues about caring for you and your baby. You may want to ask the questions below to help you learn more.

1. Ask, "Who can be with me during labor and birth?"
Mother-friendly birth centers, hospitals, and home birth services will let a mother decide whom she wants to have with her during the birth. This includes fathers, partners, children, other family members, or friends.

They will also let a birthing mother have with her a person who has special training in helping women cope with labor and birth. This person is called a doula or labor support person. She never leaves the birthing mother alone. She encourages her, comforts her, and helps her understand what's happening to her. They will have midwives as part of their staff so that a birthing mother can have a midwife if she wants to.

2. Ask, "What happens during a normal labor and birth in your setting?"
If they give mother-friendly care, they will tell you how they handle every part of the birthing process. For example, how often do they give the mother a drug to speed up the birth? Or do they let labor and birth usually happen on its own timing? They will also tell you how often they do certain procedures. For example, they will have a record of the percentage of C-sections (Csearean births) they do every year. If the number is too high, you'll want to consider having your baby in another place or with another doctor or midwife.

Here are the numbers we recommend you ask about.

They should not use oxytocin (a drug) to start labor for more than 1 in 10 women (10%).
They should not do an episiotomy (ee-peezee-AH-tummy) on more than 1 in 5 women (20%). They should be trying to bring that number down. (An episiotomy is a cut in the opening to the vagina to make it larger for birth. It is not necessary most of the time.)
They should not do C-sections on more than 1 in 10 women (10%) if it’s a community hospital. The rate should be 15% or less in hospitals which care for many high-risk mothers and babies.

A C-section is a major operation in which a doctor cuts through the mother's stomach into her womb and removes the baby through the opening. Mothers who have had C-section can often have future babies normally. Look for a birth place in which 6 out of 10 women (60%) or more of the mothers who have had C-sections go on to have their babies through the birth canal.

3. Ask, "How do you allow for differences in culture and beliefs?"
Mother-friendly birth centers, hospitals, and home birth services are sensitive to the mother's culture. They know that mothers and families have differing beliefs, values, and customs.

For example, you may have a custom that only women may be with you during labor and birth. Or perhaps your beliefs include a religious ritual to be done after birth. There are many other examples that may be very important to you. If the place and the people are mother-friendly, they will support you in what you want to do. Before labor starts tell your doctor or midwife special things you want.

4. Ask, "Can I walk and move around during labor? What position fo you suggest for birth?"
In mother-friendly settings, you can walk around and move about as you choose during labor. You can choose the positions that are most comfortable and work best for you during labor and birth. (There may be a medical reason for you to be in a certain position.) Mother-friendly settings almost never put a woman flat on her back with her legs up in stirrups for the birth.

5. Ask, "How do you make sure everything goes smoothly when my nurse, doctor, midwife, or agency need to work with each other?"
Ask, "Can my doctor or midwife come with me if I have to be moved to another place during labor? Can you help me find people or agencies in my community who can help me before and after the baby is born?" Mother-friendly places and people will have a specific plan for keeping in touch with other people who are caring for you. They will talk to others who give you birth care. They will help you find people or agencies in your community to help you. For example, they may put you in touch with someone who can help you with breastfeeding.

6. Ask, "What things do you normally do to a woman in labor?"
Experts say some methods of care during labor and birth are better and healthier for mothers and babies. Medical research shows us which methods of care are better and healthier. Mother-friendly settings use only methods that have been proven to be best by scientific evidence.

Sometimes birth centers, hospitals, and home birth services use methods that are not proven to be best for mother or the baby. For example, research has shown that it's usually not helpful to break the bag of waters.

Here is a list of things we recommend you ask about. They do not help and may hurt healthy mothers and babies. They are not proven to be best for the mother or baby and are not mother-friendly.

They should not keep track of the baby’s heart rate all the time with a machine (called an electronic fetal monitor). Instead, it is best to have your nurse or midwife listen to the baby’s heart from time to time.

They should not break your bag of waters early in labor.

They should not use an IV (a needle put into your vein to give you fluids).

They should not tell you that you can’t eat or drink during labor.

They should not shave you.

They should not give you an enema.
A birth center, hospital, or home birth service that does these things for most of the mothers is not mother-friendly. Remember, these should not be used without a special medical reason.

7. Ask, "How do you help mothers stay as comfortable as they can be? Besides drugs, how do you help mothers relieve the pain of labor?"
The people who care for you should know how to help you cope with labor. They should know about ways of dealing with your pain that don't use drugs. They should suggest such things as changing your position, relaxing in a warm bath, having a massage and using music. These are called comfort measures. Comfort measures help you handle your labor more easily and help you feel more in control. The people who care for you will not try to persuade you to use a drug for pain unless you need it to take care of a special medical problem. All drugs affect the baby.

8. Ask, "What if my baby is born early or has special problems?"
Mother-friendly places and people will encourage mothers and families to touch, hold, breastfeed, and care for their babies as much as they can. They will encourage this even if your baby is born early or has medical problems at birth. (However, there may be a special medical reason you shouldn't hold and care for your baby.)

9. Ask, "Do you circumcise babies?"
Medical research does not show a need to circumcise baby boys. It is painful and risky. Mother-friendly birth places discourage circumcision unless it is for religious reasons.

10. Ask, "How do you help mothers who want to breastfeed?"
The World Health Organization made this list of ways birth services support breastfeeding.

They tell all pregnant mothers why and how to breastfeed.
They help you start breastfeeding within one hour after your baby is born.
They show you how to breastfeed. And, they show you how to keep your milk coming in even if you have to be away from your baby for work or other reasons.
Newborns should have only breast milk. (However, there may be a medical reason they cannot have it right away.)
They encourage you and the baby to stay together all day and all night. This is called “rooming-in.”
They encourage you to feed your baby whenever he or she wants to nurse, rather than at certain times.
They should not give pacifiers (“dummies” or “soothers”) to breastfed babies.
They encourage you to join a group of mothers who breastfeed. They tell you how to contact a group near you.
They have a written policy on breastfeeding. All the employees know about and use the ideas in the policy.
They teach employees the skills they need to carry out these steps.

Would you like to give this information to your doctor, midwife, or nurse? This information is taken from the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative written for health care providers. You can get a copy of the Iniative for your doctor, midwife, or nurse by mail, e-mail, or on the internet.

For a copy of both the brochure and the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Iniative by mail, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with $5 (US) to help cover the costs. Bulk prices are available. Mail to: Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, 1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 102, Raleight, NC 27607.

To get a copy on the Internet please log on to www.motherfriendly.org.

The Birth Survey

anchoragedoula — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:56:03 CDT

We are a volunteer group dedicated to ensuring public access to quality of care information specifically related to maternity care providers and institutions. It is our intention to extend the current social trend toward transparency in health care into the virtually overlooked maternity care arena.

The Birth Survey is structured around the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) evidence-based 10 Steps to Mother-Friendly Care and other quality of care indicators. The creation of The Birth Survey has been inspired by Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers Survey (Harris Interactive, October 2002) and the A-CAHPS (Ambulatory Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) program and surveys.

Our goal is to give women a mechanism that can be used to share information about maternity care practices in their community while at the same time providing practitioners and institutions feedback for quality of care improvement efforts.
At the heart of the project is an on-going, online consumer survey, The Birth Survey, that asks women to provide feedback about their birth experience with a particular doctor or midwife and within a specific birth environment. Responses will be made available online to other women in their community who are deciding where and with whom to birth. Paired with this experiential data will be official statistics from state departments of health listing obstetrical intervention rates at the facility level.

FOUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
Annually obtain maternity care intervention rates on an institutional level for all fifty states.
Objective 2
Collect feedback about women’s birth experiences using an online, ongoing survey, The Birth Survey.
Objective 3
Present official hospital intervention rates, results of The Birth Survey, and information about the MFCI in an on-line format.
Objective 4
Increase public awareness of differences among maternity care providers and facilities and increase recognition of the MFCI as the gold standard for maternity care.

VISION
We are dedicated to improving maternity care for all women. We will do this by 1) creating a higher level of transparency in maternity care so that women will be better able to make informed decisions about where and with whom to birth and 2) providing practitioners and hospitals with information that will aid in evaluating and improving quality of care.

BRINGING TRANSPARENCY TO MATERNITY CARE
In the US, it is nearly impossible to access information about the quality of an individual health care provider or institution.The 2001 Institute of Medicine report, Crossing the Quality Chasm, underscores transparency as one of ten key steps necessary to overall health care system improvement. As national quality improvement initiatives continue to grow, maternity care must be included in this movement. The US spends more on maternity services than any other country in the world, yet we have the highest rates of infant death of all developed nations .1 The US also has one of the lowest vaginal birth rates in the world even though cesarean section carries greater risks to mother and baby. Despite emphasis on evidence-based medicine, cost-containment, and patient safety, the overuse of medical technology continues to rise without concomitant improvements in maternal or infant outcomes. Indeed, studies show that the inappropriate imposition of procedures, drugs, tests, and restrictions increase maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Although institutes, universities, and foundations are engaging in research or developing projects to increase health care transparency, currently, no significant consumer-led national effort is underway to share health care or maternity care information. A mechanism to share, systematically track, and retrieve up-to-date information about the quality of care received would equip consumers with the information necessary to make informed decisions and enable individuals to play a larger role in determining their care.

If you are a mother looking for the real survey where you can give feedback about your doctor, midwife, hospital, birth center or home birth service please click . This will take you back to the home page. Once on the home page click "take our survey" to start the real survey.

Birth Doula Commonly Asked Questions

anchoragedoula — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:01:06 CDT

What is a birth doula and why should I have one?

As doulas we accompany you during labor, taking care of your emotional needs throughout birth. We also provide support and suggestions for your partner that can enhance their experience of birth. How this applies to each woman can vary widely: some women want a gentle, reassuring presence at their birth to help them with breathing and comfort measures... others want a full-blown labor coach to enforce their birth plan... still others just want an extra person on hand to take pictures, coordinate relatives, watch kids and run errands. We don't go to births with any personal preconceived ideas of how it should play out; your birth plan is our birth plan. We are there to discover what your wants and needs are, then exceed them in every way possible.

If you like statistics, this might impress you. In research studies doulas have been proven to...
Decrease medical intervention in labor:

Reduce the need for cesarean by 50%
Reduce the length of labor by 25%
Reduce the use of oxytocin by 40%
Reduce pain medication use by 30%
Reduce the need for forceps by 40%
Reduce epidural requests by 60%

6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

Less anxious and depressed
More confident with their baby
More satisfied with their partner (71% vs 30%)
More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)

*These statistics appear in 'A Doula Makes the Difference' by Nugent in Mothering Magazine, March-April 1998. **Study cited in "The Doula" by Klaus in Childbirth Instructor Magazine, Spring 1995.

What about the dad, will he feel replaced?

Many people are confused as to how doulas interact with the laboring woman's partner. Rest assured that our job is to bring the soon-to-be mom and dad closer together during labor. We do not replace the partner or usurp his role. Having a doula present enables the father to relax because there is someone there to guide both of them through the process. Most partners have had very little exposure to birth and laboring women. We am there to reassure the dad and show him labor support skills so that he can be involved in the birth right from the start. We take the burden off his shoulders and allow him to participate at whatever level is most comfortable for him. Even though seeing his laboring partner in pain can be scary, we work hard to encourage him that what he is seeing is normal and there are ways that he can soothe her discomfort. Many glowing testimonials come from fathers who are just amazed at how helpful and supportive the presence of a doula was for him.

Why would I want a stranger at my birth?

Trust us, by the time you give birth, we will not be a stranger! From the time you first contact us, we will begin to build a relationship with both you and your partner. As a matter of fact, for most typical hospital births, it is likely we will be the only person you know caring for you. Most OBGYN's and nurse midwives work in a group and whoever happens to be on call during your birth is who you get. You will also be randomly assigned a nurse you have never met and will likely go through one or more nurse shift changes. As your doula, we will be a constant reassuring presence for you and your partner, regardless of who the other support staff may be.

How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?

We provide only non-medical support for the laboring woman. Doulas do not perform any medical procedures such as: checking baby's heart rate, vaginal exams, blood pressure checks or catching the baby. Because we am not responsible for your medical care, we are free to devote our entire attention to helping you through each contraction.

What if I want pain medication?

We are trained to support women in ALL birth scenarios. Even if you are planning to use pain medication or are just "open" to using it, we will be an invaluable part of your birth team. Doulas can help you gather all the information you need to make an informed choice about pain medication and give you a realistic picture of how you can expect your labor to change. Just because a woman has pain relief, it does not mean she has stopped laboring or needs less support. Many times the emotional needs of the laboring women are even greater when she has medication. We can also help with positioning and other comfort measures to reduce the negative effects of the medication and will be a key support during pushing which can require more coaching with an epidural. For the 5 to 15 percent of women who do not receive complete pain relief from an epidural, our role becomes even more important in helping the woman to cope with her contractions.

What do Doulas cost?
Most doulas are willing to work with you to help afford the service, so always ask about payment options, and whether or not they offer a sliding scale fee.

If a new doula feels like a good fit for your personality, then they might be the best doula for you. Or perhaps you prefer to pay a little more for a more experienced doula. Either way, it's horrible to see couples who want a doula go without because finances are tight. When it comes down to it, though, don't let money stand in the way of hiring the doula that fits you and your family best. Childbirth is a special time in your life, and a once in a lifetime experience for you and this newborn. Your baby, your health, and your memories and experience of the birth are worth the price.

Ask yourself, "how much did we spend on our wedding, or our vacation last year?" The birth of your child shouldn't be the time to get frugal and cut corners. When comparing rates, don't forget to consider the extras that many doulas offer with their doula services. Make sure you find out the details of the payment. Any fees for the extras should be clearly explained in their contract.

Some women have been able to get insurance to help pay for their doula. This is something that varies from insurance provider to insurance provider. You can always ask your insurance company. Most of the time, you'll need to hire and pay for the doula yourself, and then later approach your insurance company for reimbursement.

If your insurance company turns down your claim, appeal it. This may or may not get your doula covered, but you'll make clear to the company your interest in having doula services part of the benefit's package. They may include the benefit in the future.

Another option is to use your flexible spending account, if you have one.

Anchorage Birth & Postpartum Doulas Home

anchoragedoula — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:51:37 CDT

Pregnancy is an amazing time of a woman's life when she becomes part of the miracle of birth. As doulas we are fortunate to get the chance to pamper pregnant women during labor and help them achieve a birth experience that they will remember forever. We also are fortunate enough to help them transition into a new family as we listen and gently offer our caring services.

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.

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

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Postpartum Doula

Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester
Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tidying
Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary

Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.

What To Look For in a Doula:
When deciding which doula to hire, experience and training often come second to which doula feels right. Listening to your gut is important when choosing a doula.

Also consider what you're looking for in a doula. Everyone wants something a little different. Some people want a doula who will be an advocate for them. Others want a doula who will be physically supportive. Some just want someone there to provide a calm and centered atmostphere.

Postpartum Doula Common Questions

anchoragedoula — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:17:42 CDT

Postpartum Doulas are trained in infant care, breastfeeding support, mother care, and in nuturing the family who is experiencing transition after the birth of a baby.

What Is A PostPartum Doula?
A postpartum doula is a non-medical support person for the new mother and her family after the birth of a baby. The doula assists with integrating the new family by providing emotional, informational, and hands on support in the mother's home during the "fourth trimester". She is a non-judgmental woman who will supply in-home assistance to help ease the transition period after the birth of a baby.

What Services Does A PostPartum Doula Provide?
Postpartum doulas offer support in a minimum of three ways:

Emotional -

Offers emotional support, discusses the birth and experiences of being a new mother
Nurtures parents into their new role as parents, promoting parent-infant bonding
Supports their parenting style

Educational -

Infant feeding support
Newborn care
Infant massage
Infant soothing skills

Practical -

Ensures mom is getting adequate rest, wholesome meals/snacks and time for personal care
Simple meal preparation (preparation guidelines required)
Errands
Laundry for baby or mom
Dishes
Sibling support

What Are The Benefits of PostPartum Doula Care?

Increases maternal satisfaction with birth experience
Increases parental confidence in parenting skills
Encourages appropriate well-baby and mother care
Increases success of breast-feeding
Decreases incidences of Postpartum Mood Disorders or Postpartum Depression
Facilitates parent-infant bonding