What is a Doula?
A doula is a woman who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to laboring women and their partners.
The Doulas of North America (DONA) is an international organization of doulas who uphold high standards of practice and ethics. A certified doula is trained in providing support and physical comfort through labor and birth. I have received training in comfort measures (both natural and medical); physiological and emotional development of both mother and baby during pregnancy and childbirth; pregnancy complications and medical procedures; relaxation techniques; optimal fetal positioning; and other areas. I work independently, for my clients, not for hospitals or care providers.
I do not perform clinical tasks, make medical or other decisions for you or speak to your care providers for you.
Specifically, I work with physical pressure (massage and counterpressure), changing positions regularly, visualization, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy, among other things, during labor with my clients.
Having a doula present has been clinically shown to:
Reduce labor time by 25%.
Reduce the rate of Caesarean birth by 45%.
Reduce use of labor-inducing drugs by 50%.
Reduce use of forceps by 34%.
Reduce pain medication by 31%.
Reduce requests of epidurals, by 10-60%.
Doulas are also associated with:
Better postpartum outcome, including postpartum depression.
More successful breastfeeding.
Greater satisfaction of the mother with her birth experience.
Better assessment by the mother of her newborn's temperament, appearance, health, and competence.
Sources: Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, Ann Keppler, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn, The Complete Guide. (New York: Meadowbrook Press, 2001). John H. Kennel, MD, Marshall H. Klaus, MD, Phyllis H. Klaus, CSW, MFT, The Doula Book. (Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing, 2002).
“Invaluable! I don’t know how anyone has a baby without Lynn. You were highly skilled and knowledgeable and explained everything so I could understand easily. I felt accompanied every step of the way.”
“The birth story is BEAUTIFUL and extremely thoughtful. Thank you!”
Do Doulas Replace Dads?
“From your positive attitude when we thought things might not go as we planned, to your amazing help and encouragement during the delivery, we were so glad to have you there.”
Absolutely not! Fathers are often able to participate more fully with a doula present. I provide informational support about the labor as it progresses, and my calming influence allows the father to give the love and support that his partner needs to feel.
At times a father may not understand behavior which is instinctive during childbirth and may react anxiously to what a doula knows to be the normal process of birth. He may witness his partner in pain and understandably become distressed. I am a reassuring presence. The father-to-be may need to accompany his partner during surgery, should a cesarean become necessary. Not all fathers can realistically be expected to “coach” at this intense level.
Physicians, midwives, and nurses are responsible for monitoring labor, assessing the medical condition of the mother and baby, and treating complications when they arise. But childbirth is also an emotional and spiritual experience with long-term impact on a woman’s personal well-being. A doula is constantly aware that the mother and her partner will remember this experience throughout their lives. By “mothering the mother” during childbirth, the doula supports the parents in having a positive birth experience.
The father’s presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and reassuring. His love for the laboring woman and his desire to nurture and protect his family are priceless gifts that only he can provide. With her partner and a doula at her birth, a mother can have the best of both worlds: her partner’s loving care and attention and the doula’s expertise and guidance in childbirth.
My presence complements a father's role and strengthens it. I give suggestions and encourage Dad to provide verbal and physical support in ways that feel truly comfortable to him.
Fathers, with the support of the doula, are able to participate at any level that feels right and natural. In this way, fathers can experience fully the joy and wonder of birth! Fathers don’t have to have the contents of every childbirth book memorized and are not expected to recall every comfort technique from a youtube video on labor.
“We cannot thank you enough. We would have been overwhelmed and lost without you. No words can express our gratitude for the comfort you brought to us for one of the most important days of our lives. You are truly amazing.”
“I could enjoy the moment and participate as much as I was comfortable to, thanks to Lynn.”
“Thank you for arming us with all of the necessary information to allow us to make the best decisions. You also put me at ease as I knew that I could rely on your and your experience for the most optimal birth. Thank you!”
“Having a doula allowed me to enter the whole birth process more relaxed which made me more helpful and supportive.”
What Does a Dad/Doula Partnership
Look Like During Labor?
Labor at Home:
I can stay with the mother while you take care of last minute necessities, i.e., phoning friends, the hospital, and relatives, taking the dog on one final walk around the block, arranging childcare for siblings. If you need to get gas for the car, pack the hospital bag, etc., I am available to stay with our laboring mama!
I check in with both of you to ensure you are both eating and drinking well. One of us can fix light snacks while the other provides support.
“My husband mentioned to me that his initial feels about hiring a Doula were negative. He didn’t feel she was necessary. After the birth, he celebrated Lynn’s presence and came to understand how impactful she was in facilitating a smooth birth. His words, “N, Lynn was the best money you ever spent!” Amen!”
“You were a lifesaver…couldn’t have done it without you ☺”
“I couldn’t have done natural labor without such support! Lynn kept me positive and made the entire experience a good one. Your services – the birth story and onesie – go above and beyond!”
“She was not like the other souls who were always waiting, she wanted to DO things!”
“I appreciated that you knew how I was progressing in labor and that you knew when to call the nurse.”
At the Birth Center or Hospital:
This transition can be an intense time for the laboring woman and I help keep labor on track and progressing.
If procedures or interventions are suggested, I remind you of your options and alternatives. I offer information so you and the laboring woman can make informed decisions together.
“The hospital should assign a doula along with one’s nurses, doctors or midwives.”
“Lynn was always available and I felt confident she would get me through the labor.”
“Lynn was very nurturing, supportive, and has shown longevity through any birthing situation.”
“We always felt that we were in good hands with Lynn because of her years of experience and calming presence.”
Active Labor, Transition, and Pushing:
You and I can relieve each other for eating, bathroom breaks, etc so that the laboring woman is never left alone in labor.
I can help preserve a peaceful, private environment for you both. If family and friends are attending the birth, I can help organize the group so everyone has tasks appropriate for them.
We team up to provide everything from counter pressure to encouragement, to refreshments!
“My husband froze. Lynn didn’t.”
“Thank you for all of your assistance. You were a big part of our extremely positive birth experience. Your support was integral in helping [my wife] have her most-wanted VBAC.”
Cesarean Births
I remain with you through your birth, facilitating a “gentle Caesarean” if desired and even skin to skin in the delivery.
“I encourage c-section moms to get themselves doula support - they may need it more than anyone else.”
“Once they took [my wife] in for the emergency c-section, Lynn came into the OR and became my doula!”
“You were such an anchor in our birth experience, and we really felt you were on our team. You were both gentle and strong – just what I needed.”
“All I can say is that without doula support, I’m not sure if the birth would have turned out so well. It is very demanding to stand up to the hospital staff. Lynn was the perfect buffer. Well done.”
“I attribute my successful VBAC to you and your novel idea and suggestion!”
After the Birth
I typically stay until mother and baby are stable and the baby is breastfeeding well. I take photographs of the new family, can arrange for cord blood pick up, and make phone calls. I can update family in the waiting room, as well as talk to them about the birth, buying quiet time for the new parents and baby, if that is your wish. I stay about two hours after your birth.
“Your support was fantastic. It let me focus on ways I could help comfort [my wife]. I think that I would have been overwhelmed otherwise.”
“Even though I am a second-time mom, I really liked having Lynn check up on me and make sure I was feeling good and supported postpartum.”
“Lynn made herself available whenever we needed her!”
“M said you made the birth 100 times better for him! We are so happy to have nursed for so long and I know it was because of your encouragement and guidance in the beginning. You are an amazing doula.”
“It was very comforting to get to know Lynn and trust her. We appreciate having all of our questions answered and knowing what to expect.”
FAQ
Q: "My husband is going to be with me… do I still need a doula?"
A: I believe that dads and doulas together provide total support to a laboring woman. Your husband can experience the birth in his own terms, without feeling like he has to have every book on childbirth memorized. See Dads & Doulas.
Q: "What if I get an epidural?"
A: A doula provides continuous support to you and your partner at your birth. Birth is Birth! Having a doula may help you with an epidural because…
Epidurals block most of the intense contractions of labor, but do not relieve the pressure that builds as it’s closer to time to push.
Labor may progress too quickly to receive an epidural.
You may need to wait for the anesthesiologist and I help you get through that time.
Even after the epidural, it’s 20-30 minutes before full relief.
Sometimes the epidural does not “take” on both sides.
The deleterious effects of epidural pain relief are largely mitigated by waiting until you are at least 5cm dilated to get it; my support can get you there.
From the time the epidural is placed until your baby is in your arms, there continue to be questions; I can provide answers.
A doula helps you by providing:
Information
Relaxation techniques
Pain relief management
Continuous support to both you and your partner
An epidural does not:
suggest position changes
reposition the peanut ball
answer your questions
feed you honey and hard candy for energy
offer you juice, water, and ice chips
massage your hands, scalp, shoulders, and acupressure points
keep you company
Q: "What if I have a Caesarean birth?"
A: Most hospitals allow two people to accompany the birthing mother into the operating room. I continue to provide information, reassurance, and support throughout your birth. In an unplanned Caesarean, there are a lot of questions and emotions. I have the experience, time, and patience to help. After the birth of your baby, the father/partner often plans to accompany the baby to the nursery, leaving the mom alone during this incredibly vulnerable time. I am told that my continuous presence is truly comforting.
For breastfeeding mom, I help establish breastfeeding in the first so-called “Golden Hour” — while mom is in the recovery room!
Q: "May I speak with some of your previous clients?"
A: Absolutely! References are available by telephone and also here on my website. See From Clients.
Q: "Do you take my blood pressure and check other vital signs?"
A: No, I do not perform medical tasks. My services include emotional, physical, and psychological support.
Q: "What if you are with another woman when I go into labor?"
A: I work with other highly trained, qualified, and certified doulas to provide continuous and seamless support for my clients before, during, and after your birth. You will be given contact information for your back-up doula so that you may speak with her prenatally, and reach her at any time after.
“It was extremely useful to work with Lynn. We would never have been able to have labored at home for as long as we did without Lynn’s guidance and support.”
“I felt like my birth team was like being on “The Farm” surrounded by my husband and caring supportive women. P.S. thanks for the clementines, too!”
“The birth story was well done and very detailed. It definitely warms my heart and takes me right back to that amazing journey and beautiful moment when my baby was born. Everyone needs a birth story like that.”
“Your presence allowed me to be fully supportive of my wife, without the anxiety that I would either not know what to do or do something wrong. You were a wonderful addition to our birth experience.”