What's a doula?

From the DONA website :

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials CD(DONA).

Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.

for more information, visit the DONA website: www.dona.org

Why Red Tent?

A few years back, my mother in law handed a book to me and said "you must read this". It was 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant, and it was the best novel I had ever had the pleasure of reading. The author follows the life of a woman in the Bible named Dinah. She was the only daughter of Jacob, sister to 12 boys, and daughter of 4 mothers, Leah, by birth, the other 3 by marriage. It tells the story of this enormous family travelling throughout their country like nomads. They carried a red tent with them wherever they went, and set it up every time they stopped along their way. The purpose of the tent was a refuge, a place for the women in the family to go when they had their monthly cycle, and where they gave birth to their babies. I was struck by the sense of community these women felt, the support they gave to one another in the safety of that tent. My husband jokes that he is going to put a red tent in our backyard for my daughters and I, one of these days!
The reason I chose the name 'Red Tent Doula Services' is that I hope to bring that sense of peace and insight to every birth I attend. It can be difficult to remember the sacred nature of birth amidst the bright lights, sterile environments, and Hollywood ideals that our culture associates with birthing. My goal is to bring that 'red tent' to every birth that I attend, by helping the women I support identify what makes them feel safe and comfortable, and figuring out ways to turn those ideas into the enviroment that will help them give birth with peace and confidence.

Doula Services

I recently completed my practicum work with Birthingway College of Midwifery, and am now a DONA certified doula! I am so grateful to the families, especially the mama's that helped me get where I am. Each birth I have attended has taught me something new and wonderful about everything pregnancy and birth.
Please contact me by email or phone to get information about fees and services, and visit my blog, I will try to keep up with interesting birth related posts!

bflywngs2680@comcast.net or 503-539-4230