Welcome
Choosing a Doula is one of the most important decisions you can make when
preparing for the birth of your child. My goal as your birth Doula is to provide you with emotional support, physical comfort
measures and assist you and your partner in getting the informational
support needed in order to make the best decisions possible.
Studies have suggested that obstetrical outcomes may improve when a
women in labor receives consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort,
encouragement, and respect. In addition to the improved obstetrical
outcomes, studies have also shown that the level of support given to a
mother during labor, birth and in the immediate post- partum period
following the birth, can strengthen or weaken her emotional ties with
her child. I would love the to speak with you and your family about
your upcoming birth to discuss how I may help you in making this a
positive birth experience.
A Doula's Role
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth. The doula's role
is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to mothers
and their partners during labor and birth. The doula offers help and
advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement
and positioning. Doulas may utilize massage, music, aromatherapy,
visualization, breathing, and tips on positioning. She also assists
families to gather information about the course of their labor and
their options. Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is providing
continuous emotional support and reassurance.
Research has shown that women who had doulas reported:
- more successful
- More maternal infant interaction
- Less postpartum , anxiety and low self esteem
- Perceives her baby to be above the standard baby
- Overall more satisfaction with her birth experience
Studies have shown that having a doula present with a woman in
labor can:
- Reduce the need for medication by 35%
- Reduce the need for medication forceps by 50%
- Reduce the need for medication cesarean Section 51%
- Reduce the length of labor by an average of 98 minutes
Doulas
are the embodiment of women at work. Through the force of our ,
commitment to women, and our personalities, we are granted access
into one of the most intimate and heightened moments in a woman's
life: that of giving birth. A doula's job is to provide unending
emotional and physical support (often literally holding up a mother
as she labors) while negotiating the rocky terrain of hospital staff,
family wishes and medical circumstances that surround birth. We’re
committed to helping a woman have her needs met. We work hard intellectually
as well as physically; and each time we begin our work, an amazing,
passionate and fascinating story is just waiting to be told.
A woman in labor is highly vulnerable. Her most private body parts
are exposed. She may sweat, tremble, moan or cry out while amongst
strangers, she is often in an unfamiliar environment. If she is
nurtured, treated with kindness and respect and feels like a participant,
the positive impact is permanent. If she is treated without respect,
if her efforts to maintain dignity and control are rebuffed that
too can have a lifelong impact.
My goal is to help you have the birth you desire and deserve. I
truly believe along with many other women that having a doula at
my birth made an incredible positive difference. I believe the same
can be true for you. I'd love to talk with you and answer any questions
you may have. Please feel free to e-mail or call!
As a Doula I will:
- Assist the mother and her partner/husband in preparing for and
carrying out their plans for the birth.
- Recognize the mother’s goal of giving birth as she defines
it.
- Provide constant presence, encouragement and informational support
throughout the entire labor and birth.
- Provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an
objective viewpoint to help the mother get the information she
needs to make good decisions.
- Ensure the partner/husband always remains the #1 in support
and will be able to participate and be assisted and supported
by the Doula as necessary and desired.
As a Doula I will not:
- Discourage the mother from her choices. I will always respect
& facilitate those choices. I do not have my own agenda. It's
your birth.
- I do not perform medical tasks such as fetal heart monitoring
or vaginal exams
- I cannot make decisions for you. I will help you in getting
the information from your midwife/doctor and nurses so that you
will be able to make informed decisions.
- I will always provide guidance and support in helping you to
acheive the birth you desire and that unfolds in your labor. It
is not my way to create confrontation or hostility with any of
your care providers. It is with much respect and creativity that
we get you what you want and need and to assure that you are seen
and heard.
Tracie Enis
(510) 798-7014
