New Babies
A Doula's Role
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Birth
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Birth
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Doula Package
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-Recognizes birth as a key life experience, understands physiology of birth and the emotional needs of the woman in labor
-Believes in a woman's ability to know her body, her labor, and her baby. She helps women trust this knowledge
-Compliments rather than displaces the partner and clinical care provider
-Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the labor, uninterrupted
-Uses relaxation, massage, changing positions, movement, and encouragement to help labor progress
-Seeks to cultivate a woman's birth experience as a positive memory with rich rewards and feelings of accomplishment
-Encourages making informed decisions
-Provides the woman (and her partner) with the knowledge and tools to help them find their own voice in speaking up for their birth
-Prepares the mom (and her partner) what to expect in labor and postpartum
-Assists with learning the art of breastfeeding
Birth Doulas DO NOT
-Perform clinical tasks (such as blood pressure checks, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams, and other such duties)
-Make decisions for the woman (and her partner)
-Speak to the staff instead of the woman (and her partner) where decisions are being made
-Have their own agenda
and
it's not that birth is painful.
It's that women are strong."
Laura Stavoe Harm
-Helps mom and baby establish a satisfying breastfeeding relationship.
-She is knowledgeable in parenting practices that encourage bonding with baby.
-Discusses memories of the birth.
-"Mothers" the mother.
-Provides family and household support.
Postpartum Doulas DO NOT
-Diagnose medical conditions for the mother or the baby, but will refer you to a healthcare provider
-Take over the care of the baby, but assists you in learning to care for your baby's needs
