What services does a birth doula provide?
Birth doula services generally include: • advice during pregnancy • availability 24/7 before and during labor to answer any questions or concerns • exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy more comfortable • assistance in finding information in order to help the woman make an informed decision about her birth • an objective viewpoint • explanations of medical procedures • help with preparation of a birth plan and the carrying out of that plan • facilitation of communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her care providers • continuous physical and emotional support throughout the entire labor and birth • an understanding of the physiology of birth • massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures • suggestions on position changes during labor and birth • support for the womans partner so that he or she can love and encourage the laboring woman • helping the woman avoid unnecessary interventions • help with the initial breastfeeding experience • a wr
