Imagine you are climbing a mountain for the first time.
You have prepared emotionally and physically for what you imagine is waiting for you.
You talk with other people who have climbed mountains and heard their stories, good
and bad, and integrated them into how you perceive things will go. You take a class
to educate yourself about your gear, the terrain, and what you will need to ask of
your body to make it to the top.
It is time to start climbing! You know to take it one breath, one hand-hold at a time.
You remember not to worry about how many steps are ahead of you, and to think only
about the one you are taking now. You feel your muscles work in a way they never have
before, and you wonder if this is how it is supposed to feel.
The guide holds her hand out to you, reminds you of the details about your gear, and
helps you to avoid foreseeable obstacles. When you slip, she helps you up and tells
you how strong you are, and that you can make it to the top. When you feel you cannot
go any further, she offers you a drink and stays with you until you are ready to
continue. She never leaves you behind; she matches your pace and celebrates with you
as you pull yourself to the top of the summit.
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The Doula joins the labouring mother when the mother feels the need for extra support.
Massage, positioning, comfort measures, and breathing techniques are all things a doula
is proficient in so can assist the partner in helping the mother with these.
As an advocate and liaison with hospital staff the doula helps both the mother and her
partner remember what plans they had for labour and helps them work toward achieving them.
A doula has an important role in medicated and surgical births as well as in un-medicated
births. She may assist with knowledge of non-pharmacologic choices for pain relief; provide
emotional support to dad and other family members, as well as taking pictures or emotionally
supporting Mom while Dad goes with the baby.
A childbirth doula is a labour support provider, trained and experienced in childbirth.
She may be your liaison or advocate with family and staff, but your doula will not make
decisions for you. She will help you understand your choices and options, both when
formulating your birth plan and during the labour and the postpartum period.
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DOULA -
the DONA International definition:
Doula refers to a supportive companion (other
than a friend or loved one) who is professionally trained to provide labour support. She
performs no clinical tasks. A doula provides: physical - emotional - and informational
support to women and their partners during labour and birth; help and advice on comfort
measures such as breathing - relaxation - massage and positioning. A doula helps in
making a smooth transition from pregnancy to parent.
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As a certified Doula with DONA International, (Doulas of North America), as well as an original member of
the Birth Companion Program of Canadian Mothercraft which commenced in 1989, I can offer a
wide background of experience:
- Supporting first time Moms and Dads or those with past birth experiences
- Primary support for a single mom
- Assisting parents expecting a multiple birth
- Supporting parents dealing with a Caesarean section
- Supporting a mom during a VBAC
- Working with teen moms
- Bereavement assistance
- Postpartum services for extra baby care
I am experienced in both home and hospital births, and believe that while the course of labour
and birth is unpredictable, each family should be able to choose for themselves how they would
like to respond to it. Each labour and birth is a unique and miraculous experience, with the
emerging family the centre and focus of that experience.
2006 © Cherished Tymes -
cherishedtymesdoula@sympatico.ca
All rights reserved.
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