What is a Doula?

Why Choose A Doula?

Research has shown that having a Doula to support you during the birth process can lead to:

• 25% shorter labor
• 30% reduction in analgesia used
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery
• 50% reduction of caesarean rate
• 60% reduction in epidural request

Source: Mothering the Mother: Klaus, Kennell & Klaus

BUT WHY A HYPNOBIRTHING DOULA?

You wouldn't train your whole life as a figure skater and then, to compete, enter speed skating races instead of figure skating competitions; or enter your English-trained horse into a rodeo instead of a show jumping competition. You have specialized in your child-birth classes. You need a doula who is like-wise specialized. You need the presence and assistance of someone who intimately knows and understands the method you are using, and supports that method.

My role as a birth doula is different than the rest of your birth team (midwife, doctor, and nurses). My sole focus is on the emotional, mental, and physical support for you and your partner. The rest of your birthing team, by the nature of their roles, must focus more on the medical safety of you and your baby. Providing a constant and consistent nurturing presence during labor and birth is the job of the doula, staying with you, supporting you throughout labor until after your baby is born. This frees up the woman's partner to be able to be present without trying to remember all the info from birth class, what they should do next, etc. (I'll guide the partner if he/she needs it.)

I have 18 years of hypnosis behind me, and 17 years of teach HypnoBirthing. I trained as a HB doula in 2014. Also, I'm training in Reiki and have a workshop in Accupressure comfort measures behind me. My mother used the forerunner to the HB philosophy for my birth and I birthed my daughter with HB also. I had a wonderful birth and want to assist you to have the same.

Most couples really enjoy having a calm reassuring presence with them, whether it is in a hospital setting or at home .. someone who guides them through the surges and reminds them of the tools they learned in class. This is especially true for clients who have any degree of fearfulness. If there was fearfulness there before, it will often rear its ugly head during birth. The Fear, Tension, Pain Syndrome causes birth to slow down dramatically and produce major discomfort. A hypnotist is well trained in fear removal.

Since you are trained in the HypnoBirthing, it only makes sense to pick a doula who has an intimate knowledge of HypnoBirthing. I've been teaching HB since 2001 and I trained in Hypnosis in 1999. In special circumstances, I'll be able to help you call on techniques you have been practising and know well, where other doulas will use very different methods. I'll do my best to help you get the birth you've been planning for.

As Your Birth Doula I Promise:

• Constant presence, from the onset of labor to birth
• Unconditional emotional support Informational support
• A gentle calming presence
• Comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement massage and positioning
• Provide an explaination of any procedure presented
• Invaluable support to partners

As a Client You Will Receive the Following: