Doula Services

Doula Fees

A Doula is a professional labor assistant who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother and her partner before, during and immediately after birth.

Studies show that births attended by doulas are shorter, have fewer complications and interventions, mothers are more satisfied with their experience and babies are healthier and breastfeed more easily.

Research shows the presence of a doula can:

• Decrease the cesarean section rate by 51%
• Decrease the length of labor by 25%
• Decrease pitocin use by 71%
• Decrease the use of epidurals by 60%
• Decrease the use of forceps by 57%

(Source: Mothering the Mother by Klaus, Kennel and Klaus)

As of 2009, my doula clients have a 93% vaginal birth rate with 86% delivering totally unmedicated! The current c-section rate in Kentucky is over 34%.

A birth doula:

• Recognizes childbirth as a key experience in a mother's life.
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing and carrying out their plans for birth.
• Stays with the parents throughout the labor process.
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the couple get the information they need to make informed decisions.
• Facilitates communication between the couple and clinical care providers.
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of her birth experiece.
• Helps the woman's partner to participate at his or her comfort level.

Dads & Doulas

Many dads want to be as involved as possible in the birth of their baby. Sometimes parents may worry that a doula will interfere in this process when quite the opposite is true. Doulas actually help the partners to be more involved in the process in most cases.

Labor can be a very emotional and stressful experience. Having a knowledgeable and caring doula can help make the process more enjoyable and less scary for both the mom and the dad.

A doula can help reassure both parents that everything is normal and help the father understand the woman's instinctive behavior during birth. Many dads are much less anxious when a doula is present. He can more fully participate in the experience rather than worrying about remembering everything he learned in childbirth classes.

The father's presence and loving support is an important part of the birthing process. The love he shares with the mother and baby are gifts only he can provide.

The partner's love, dedication and attention coupled with the expertise and guidance of a skilled doula makes for the best possible birthing experience for both the mother and the father.

I would love to be a part of your birth team!