A doula is a labor support professional who can assist you when going through childbirth. Traditionally, women were always attended by other experienced women to help them get through this difficult life transition. In the modern day hospital setting, women are generally unattended until it is time to actually deliver. This means a first time mom could spend 16-18 hours feeling completely alone. The nurses will hook you to the monitor, and check on you about once an hour.

A doula is a professional, trained to handle the non-clinical aspects of labor. She is familiar with the process of childbirth and how to guide you through the progression of labor with effectiveness. This is the only experienced professional who stays with the mother from the time her labor is active, until after the baby is born.

Here are 5 reasons a mom will want a doula by her side:

1. The mother will have professional help in developing a birth plan, as a doula assists the new parents in understanding all the available options

2. The mother will have an experienced professional by her side continuously during labor

3. The mother will be physically comforted by the doulas comfort measures, including warm compresses, massage, relaxation and breathing techniques

4. The partner will have support and guidance in how to help the mother during labor

5. The couple will have a beautiful account of what happened during labor, as a doula will keep a record and many mothers lose focus of the time

These are just a few things that a doula can do for you! Here is what Jacksonville moms are saying about having a doula for their birth:

“She [our doula] provided us with important prenatal information and practice relaxation techniques that assisted my husband and me to feel prepared for the birth.”

“The positive outcome of our labor was directly impacted by our doula’s birthing expertise and her ability to assist me in managing my labor. We would not have been able to have a natural, non-medicated delivery without our doula!”

“This was the best money we spent when preparing for our new baby!”

Educate yourself and hire and doula to help you have a shorter, easier birth and a wonderful birth experience.

Sita Payne Romero, LMT, CD

Sita specializes in preparing expectant mothers to have a comfortable pregnancy, and achieve their ideal birth experience. She is a certified doula, a licensed and certified pregnancy massage therapist and a prenatal yoga teacher. She owns a private practice in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, and helpful articles please visit http://www.lotusinbloom.net/

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