doula

birth and postpartum care — East Bay, North Bay, and San Francisco, CA

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"Doula? What is that?"
- every person, everywhere

The textbook answer:

Doulas offer clients 1:1 care in the form of information, advocacy, and emotional and physical support. There are birth doulas, death doulas, abortion doulas—doulas for the full spectrum of life experiences. Unfortunately, there isn’t substantial evidence on doulas in all these categories, but we do have research on birth and postpartum doulas.

Some proven benefits:

• overall higher satisfaction with birth
• increased partner involvement
• reduction in c-sections
• decrease in labor length
• reduced use of pain relief medications
• family's increased confidence in new roles
• greater satisfaction in chestfeeding experience and duration
• fewer incidences of postpartum depression
• referrals and treatment of postpartum issues provided sooner 

Find citation for these studies + other proven benefits here and here.

From personal experience:

As a doula, I am there to hold space for whatever you are experiencing, feeling, and preparing for without any judgment. Pure support. It's finding every possible way to honor your humanity within the structures of health care, work place, family, and community during the massive life transitions of birth and parenthood. This may look like: encouraging you to set clear boundaries with the grandparents of your newborn about postpartum visiting time or discussing whether you want an epidural in the midst of labor. ​

✨A doula is an investment in your health, safety, and satisfaction.✨