Meet our own personal doula, Brittany!
So, my future sis- n-law is going to school to be a certified doula and eventually a mid wife. Doula? What's a Doula you may ask? Don't feel bad, I did not know either until recently!
Wikipedia defines a doula as being a person:
who provides non-medial support (physical and emotional) to a woman leading up to and during her labor and delivery, an aspect of care that was traditionally practiced in midwifery. A labor doula may attend a woman having a home birth or a woman laboring at home before transporting to a hospital or a birth center, where she will continue support. Doulas do not perform clinical duties such as heart rate checks or vaginal exams, or give medical advice. Labor doulas rely on techniques like massage, aromatherapy, visualization, positive positioning, emotional support, encouragement, and nurturing to help women through labor. Many offer phone and email support as well as prenatal and postpartum visits to ensure the mother is informed and supported. The terms of a labor/birth doula's responsibilities are decided between the doula and the family. The doula is also an ally for the father or partner, who may have little experience with the labor process and may also find the process anxiety provoking. Often the doula will help the partner find ways to support the laboring woman. Studies have shown that childbirth education can help reduce paternal anxiety and one of the doula's roles is to educate. A responsible doula supports, encourages, and educates the father or partner in his or her support style rather than replacing them
Your personal doula also may provide support to the mother and family following the birth and immediate postpartum period. This can be for a few days or up to and beyond six weeks, depending on need. This may include breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, cooking, light housekeeping and errands. Such doulas offer education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during for the few weeks following the birth, as well as 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.
She is going to be our pre labor, birth, and postpartum doula!
We are very excited and truly blessed to have someone counseling us regularly and being with us every step of the way as we definitely need that as first time parents!
For more info regarding her services,
please contact Brittany at 850-366-3770
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