theVillage's ESP Doula program
ESP-Doula@TheirBirthRight.org
E is for Empowering women through education and assistance during a vulnerable season in a woman's life - Pregnancy and Childbirth. S is for Supporting women and their partners continuously throughout labor, delivery and postpartum. And P is for Practical emotional and physical guidance when assisting women on their journey to parenthood.
What
is a doula?
The word, "doula," comes from
the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an
ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of
the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to
"a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical,
emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during
and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering
the Mother)
A
doula accompanies a woman in labor, mothers the mother, and takes
care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. She provides support
and suggestions for partners that can enhance their birth experiences
of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support
and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family
dynamics. (DONA International)
Benefits
of a doula
Although doula’s do not provide
medical assistance, through loving touch, position and comfort measures
they make childbearing bearable.
- Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth
- Results in shorter labors with fewer complications
- Reduces negative feelings about one’s birthing experience
- Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- Reduces the mothers’ request for pain medication and/or epidurals.
Research
Research shows parents who receive support can:
- Feel more secure and cared for
- Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
- Have greater success with breastfeeding
- Have greater self-confidence
- Have less postpartum depression
- Have lower incidence of abuse
[from DONA International’s website]
Testimonials
"Our experience with Kimberley was great! I really appreciated the encouragement and emotional support I received. Her encouragement really helped me stay positive. I also appreciated her willingness to take a less hands-on approach when we discovered I was a shy laborer. Her willingess to do more menial tasks so my husband could focus on me was immensely helpful. We really appreciated her help & attendance at our birth and are glad she was a part of it." Anne B. [HBAC]
Join
us! Fill out our online application now!
