Birth and Postpartum Doula Services
Christine J. Mehl, BS, C.H.E.S., DONA Trained Doula
[email protected] (701) 412-5088
Serving Minot, Fargo-Moorhead, and Surrounding Communities
WELCOME
I teach group and private childbirth classes and provide birth and postpartum doula care.
I am also available for blessingways (baby showers) and making pregnancy belly casts.
If you're expecting a baby, congratulations! Browse my website and contact me!
My services also make wonderful gift certificates!
New Babies
A Doula's Role
Partners &
Doulas
Epidurals &
Doulas
Birth
Myths & Facts
Childbirth
Education
Birth
Doula Package
Postpartum
Doula Package
Breastfeeding
Resources
About Me
Client & Nurse Comments
FAQ's
Links
A supportive companion professionally trained to provide continuous physical (non-medical) comfort measures, emotional support, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Supports a woman (and her partner) at the hospital or at midwife attended homebirths. She serves women who are planning an unmedicated birth, epidural during labor, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), or cesarean birth.
Postpartum Doula (Professional Mother's Helper)
Provides emotional, educational, and practical in-home support during the postpartum period.
-45% reduction in the cesarean rate
-25% shorter labor
-50% reduction in oxytocin use
-31% reduction in pain medication use
-34% reduction in forceps delivery
-60% reduction in epidural requests
-decreased anxiety and tension
-increased partner's effectiveness and confidence
The benefits of having a doula's support in labor has been recognized by the World Health Organization, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist of Canada, the Institute for Health Care Improvement (Boston), and the Medical Leadership Council; an organization of 1200 US hospitals.
-increased breastfeeding success
-increased positive feelings about birth
-increased bonding with baby
-decreased neonatal problems
-increased self-esteem
-decreased postpartum depression
The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth. 2nd ed. Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus. (2002)
For more information on the benefits, roles, and research of the doula profession:
Birth Doula Position Paper
Postpartum Doula Position Paper
my doula is my right." -A Mom
and
it's not that birth is painful.
It's that women are strong."
Laura Stavoe Harm
Information contained within this website should in no way replace the guidance and suggestions of your care provider. Please use this information as a basis for conversation with your care provider, and to build consensus and agreement about how your labor and birth are to be managed. Always share your concerns with your care provider and create a plan together that meets both your needs.
