Joyful Birth Doula Services
Chelsea Cripps, Certified Doula (CBI)
What is a doula?
A doula is a professional childbirth companion. They are not medical professionals. Doulas do not take your temperature, check dilation, administer medicines, or perform any medical procedures. Rather, a doula is a compassionate, sympathetic individual who has knowledge of and experience with childbirth.
A doula can help you write a Birth Plan, discuss your fears and hopes for your childbirth experience, and help you to formulate a realistic idea of what to expect.
A doula is present for your entire birth experience. While nurses are often assigned to several patients at once, a doula is there just for you and can give you her undivided attention. She can guide you through pain relieving exercises, suggest position changes, massage, focus and relaxation techniques, as well as whatever else you find helpful.
A doula is there to help you have the kind of birth you want. This means something different to each expectant mother. As we meet together at your prenatal appointments, we can work together to decide what exactly will be most helpful for you.
A doula can help you write a Birth Plan, discuss your fears and hopes for your childbirth experience, and help you to formulate a realistic idea of what to expect.
A doula is present for your entire birth experience. While nurses are often assigned to several patients at once, a doula is there just for you and can give you her undivided attention. She can guide you through pain relieving exercises, suggest position changes, massage, focus and relaxation techniques, as well as whatever else you find helpful.
A doula is there to help you have the kind of birth you want. This means something different to each expectant mother. As we meet together at your prenatal appointments, we can work together to decide what exactly will be most helpful for you.
Doulas and Daddies
Many expectant mothers are concerned that having a doula present will make their partner feel unneeded or incompetent. In my experience, this has not been the case at all. In fact, it is usually the fathers who seem most grateful for my presence. Childbirth is an important event for both the father and the mother, and I believe that whenever possible, fathers will find being present for this event an immensely wonderful experience. Having a doula present takes some of the pressure off of the father to be the sole provider of comfort and guidance and allows him to relax and more fully participate in the process.
"© Photographer: Jaimie Duplass | Agency: Dreamstime.com"
