ABOUT DOULAS

What is a doula??  “Doula” comes from ancient Greek and is a term now used to refer to a woman who helps another woman. In childbirth, a doula….

  • recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
  • understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
  • stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor
  • provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions
  • facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers
  • perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience

    Studies show that moms who have doulas present at their births, have 51% fewer cesarean sections, 71% less oxytocin use, 28% fewer epidurals, 35% less narcotic use, 57% less instrumental delivery, 33% less maternal emotional distress, a shorter labor (by an average of 98 minutes), and higher Apgar scores for babies!

    MY DOULA SERVICES

    I am a private doula available to attend most births. I have three years of experience (over 60 births) and am fully certified by DONA. I am also a childbirth educator (call if you would like more information about classes) and a midwifery student. My doula services start at $700 and include:

  • one interview session that allows us to get to know each other and helps me to know what your goals for your birth are
  • one birth planning and preparation session that clearly defines the way you would like your labor and birth to go, the roles of support persons, newborn procedures, bonding/breastfeeding, and anything else that is important to you
  • a belly casting if you would like one done
  • physical and emotional support during labor at home and/or at the hospital
  • one post-partum session which includes a discussion/debriefing about the birth and breastfeeding support
  • a copy of your birth story written from my experience at the birth and any photographs that I took on a cd (this is only if you give permission)
  • continuous contact (generally via phone or e-mail) for the first weeks of the baby’s life

    Since I do have a family of my own and because I would never want to miss a birth because of over-scheduling, I only schedule to attend 2 or 3 births per month. When you hire me to be your doula, I will ask you to sign a contract. At that time, I will no longer take clients with due dates surrounding yours.  I will not miss your birth! 

    For more information on having me as your doula at your birth, please contact me at (630) 621-9163 or (630) 940-4608 or via e-mail at lisa@ababynaturally.com.  I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my services and to answer any questions that you might have.