Most Doulas typically offer the following services:
Help with breathing and relaxation techniques
Suggest positions or techniques for comfort and labour progress
Provide emotional comfort
Reassurance of normalcy, coping ability, etc.
Encourage and validate the parents’ feelings
Help create a harmonious relationship between the doctor,
nurse and labouring couple
Ensure parents understand their choices
Inform parent: Answer questions with accurate information
Help parents seek out information when they don't have the answers
Act as an extra pair of hands for the parents
Get extra pillows, blankets, ice chips, drinks for the mother
Support the parent's goals
Translate medical jargon when necessary
Massage or soothing touch; hand-holding
Take pictures
Loan out videos and books
Services Not Offered by Doulas
Practice medicine
Do exams or procedures
Make diagnoses or prescribe treatments
Give second opinions
Assist physician or midwife with medical care (adjust IV,
administer oxygen, etc.)
Make decisions for parents
Advise or persuade clients to follow a particular course
Talk about clients outside their presence
Withhold approval for using or avoiding medications
Speak on behalf of the parents to the medical staff
Complimentary Initial Consultation
More often than not, choosing the right doula comes down to who you feel comfortable with. As part
of your evaluation and due diligence, I prefer to meet in person with you, completely pressure free,
to see if my services are right for you. After the initial meeting, I’ll wait for you to contact me.
This initial visit can take place anytime during your pregnancy, regardless of how far along you are.
Two Prenatal Visits at Your Home
The first meeting is to discuss in detail your wishes, thoughts, feelings, and expectations regarding
your labour and delivery, and the role you’d like me to take. We will then prepare an extensive birth
plan together. The birth plan will include your individual philosophies about pain relief, relaxation,
breathing and visualization techniques, and positions for labour.
The second meeting is a complete, hands-on preparation for labour and delivery, usually around three
to four weeks prior to your due date. We will review what will happen during your birth experience,
and everyone’s role within it. We will practice various labour positions and rehearse relaxation
techniques and breathing, used to help reduce pain and allow you to more easily deal with contractions.
Birth partners are shown how to be as involved as they wish, to ensure a positive birth experience for
both of you.
Continuous Support During Labour and Delivery
Most mothers go through an array of emotions at birth, including both excitement and fear. My role as
your doula is to help you cope with any fears and anxieties you and your partner may have. My support
is not only sympathetic, but also informational. I can help you remain calm, relaxed and comfortable
until, and once, labour is well established, using a quiet and calm presence and constant reassurance.
I have found that my presence in the birthing process typically empowers birth partners to be more
involved by removing the pressure of the unknown as I reassure and comfort both you and your partner.
I am always aware to remain in the background to allow privacy when you are doing well. When needed,
I provide comfort measures including physical techniques, an extra practical hand, and professional
information at all times, as hospital staff are kept busy with other patients.
Follow-up Post-natal Visit at Your Home
It is imperative that you have bonding time with your baby immediately after the birth. I will remain on
call for any questions you may have, and will then meet again in your home a few weeks after birth to
briefly review your birthing experience and my role as your doula. At that time, I can assist you
further with any additional questions you may have.
24-hour On-Call Support
I am available at any time of the day to answer any questions you have, regardless of how insignificant
you may think they are. On-call support is one of the best advantages to using a doula.
