Birth Doula (Professional Labor Coach)

A supportive companion professionally trained to provide continuous physical (non-medical) comfort measures, emotional support, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Supports a woman (and her partner) at the hospital or at midwife attended homebirths. She serves women who are planning an unmedicated birth, epidural during labor, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), or cesarean birth.

Postpartum Doula

Provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

What are the benefits in hiring a doula?

During Labor & Birth:

-45% reduction in the cesarean rate

-25% shorter labor

-50% reduction in oxytocin use

-31% reduction in pain medication use

-34% reduction in forceps delivery

-60% reduction in epidural requests

-decreased anxiety and tension

-increased partner's effectiveness and confidence

The benefits of having a doula's support in labor has been recognized by the World Health Organization, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist of Canada, the Institute for Health Care Improvement (Boston), and the Medical Leadership Council; an organization of 1200 US hospitals.

Postpartum:

-increased breastfeeding success

-increased positive feelings about birth

-increased bonding with baby

-decreased neonatal problems

-increased self-esteem

-decreased postpartum depression

Source:

"The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth." 2nd ed. Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus. (2002)

For more information on the benefits, roles, and research of the doula profession visit www.dona.org

A Birth Doula

-Recognizes birth as a key life experience, understands physiology of birth and the emotional needs of the woman in labor

-Believes in a woman's ability to know her body, her labor, and her baby. She helps women trust this knowledge

-Compliments rather than displaces the partner and clinical care provider

-Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the labor, uninterrupted

-Uses relaxation, massage, changing positions, movement, and encouragement to help labor progress

-Seeks to cultivate a woman's birth experience as a positive memory with rich rewards and feelings of accomplishment

-Encourages making informed decisions

-Provides the woman (and her partner) with the knowledge and tools to help them find their own voice in speaking up for their birth

-Prepares the mom (and her partner) what to expect in labor and postpartum

-Assists with learning the art of breastfeeding

Birth Doulas DO NOT

-Perform clinical tasks (such as blood pressure checks, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams, and other such duties)

-Make decisions for the woman (and her partner)

-Speak to the staff instead of the woman (and her partner) where decisions are being made

-Have their own agenda

A Postpartum Doula

-Helps mom and baby establish a satisfying breastfeeding relationship.

-She is knowledgeable in parenting practices that encourage bonding with baby.

-Discusses memories of the birth.

-"Mothers" the mother.

-Provides family and household support.

Postpartum Doulas DO NOT

-Diagnose medical conditions for the mother or the baby, but will refer you to a healthcare provider

-Take over the care of the baby, but assists you in learning to care for your baby's needs

To find a doula in North Dakota (Minot, Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, etc..)

Bismarck area (sometimes Minot area, as well):

Jen Polk (She is currently taking some time off.)

jennddoula@yahoo.com

Minot area (She will be moving back to Fargo by March 2008, however, she is willing to travel to Minot):

Christine Mehl

jjcmehl@msn.com

701-412-5088

www.geocities.com/mamabeginnings

Grand Forks area (willing to travel to Minot, Fargo, MN, and other areas..):

Erin J. McSparron

(218)779-9984

emcsparron@msn.com

Rhonda Huot

(218)893-2215

huotfamily@rrv.net

Joyce Knapp

(218)436-2381

9knappkins@wiktel.com

Rebekah Knapp

(218)436-2381

babycatcher98@wiktel.com

Fargo area doulas:

Doulas of the Red River Valley

www.orgsites.com/nd/doulas

Two doulas from Fargo area willing to travel 50 + miles and willing to travel to Minot, Bismarck, Grand Forks, SD, MN and other areas are:

Christine Mehl

jjcmehl@msn.com

701-412-5088

www.geocities.com/mamabeginnings

Teresa Tesky (married name is Fewell)

(701)730-2631

red_river_mttt@msn.com

The doulas listed above are trained and are certified or completing certification through www.dona.org. Visit www.dona.org for updated lists of doulas. Also, call (888) 788-DONA (3662) for a list of doulas not listed on the website (these doulas choose either to not be listed on DONA's website or they are still completing their certification). There are other doula certification organizations around like www.cappa.net, www.alace.org, www.icea.org, etc...Do internet searches for further resources.