Page Title

Alicia's Labyrinth

What is a doula?
A labor doula, coming from the Greek language meaning “woman who
serves,” is a trained professional who provides continuous physical,
emotional, and educational support to a woman before, during, and just after
childbirth. S/he:

Recognizes that childbirth is an empowering and moving experience that a
woman will remember for a lifetime; understands the physiology of birth;
assists a woman and her partner in preparing for birth; stays by a woman’s
side throughout the entire labor and delivery, as well as an agreed-upon
amount of time postpartum;eases communication between a laboring woman,
her partner, and clinical-care providers; and nurtures and protects a woman’s
memory of her birth experience.

Why should a woman give birth with doula support?
Studies, obtained from Mothering the Mother (1993), by Marshall Klaus, John
Kennell, and Phyllis Klaus, have shown that women supported by doulas
during labor have:

50% reduction in the cesarean rate; 25% shorter labor; 60% reduction in
epidural requests; 40% reduction in Oxytocin use; 30% reduction in analgesia
use; and 40% reduction in forceps delivery.

Giving birth and beginning the motherhood path are rites of passage -
sacred, magical. A woman has the right to a positive birthing experience - for
her and for her baby. A doula educates a woman, telling her about possible
options, so that she can make informed decisions, and a doula accepts
these choices regardless of her/his own beliefs. A doula provides
continuous and nurturing support, which is highly individualized to suit a
woman's needs. A doula works only for a woman and her family. When
birthing in a hospital, there is the extra advantage of no shift change. A doula
stays with a woman during her entire labor and an agreed-upon amount of
time postpartum.

Does a doula take the place of a loving partner/husband?
A doula works in conjunction with a woman's partner/husband as part of the
birth team, taking some of the pressure off her/him from feeling that s/he must
do everything “just right” during labor, as well as minimizing some of her/his
fears. If the goal is for her/him to be very involved and “hands-on,” then a
doula can encourage her/him with good suggestions of ways to help. If the
plan is for her/him to be less involved, then a doula can step in according to
a woman' s comfort level. A doula's care for couples is very different; they
will have “custom care." A doula knows that the role of a partner/husband is
just as important.

What is my birth philosophy?
Birth is a natural, intuitive rite of passage, seeped in empowerment and
spirituality, filled with unexpected life lessons, so I am offering you a
connection to inner birth wisdoms:

Connecting a woman
To her inner soul depths,
Childbirth is that moment
When time converges,
And the gates blow open,
Infusing her DNA
With the ancestral wisdom
Of never being alone,
As women encircle her
In loving embrace
From past, present, and future.

The mystery of this beautiful rite of passage brings a woman in touch with her
innermost self, her body, and her spirituality. A new way of being emerges
from the transformation of a woman into a mother. This individual territory is
unfathomable, unknowable.

During pregnancy, labor, and birth, my goal is to encourage a woman and her
partner to take an active role - from learning birthplace routines, to dialoguing
with caregivers, which will allow insight into their philosophy and willingness
to share decision-making; from delving into personal fears, to understanding
labor signs and symptoms.

A woman’s trust of herself and her body is also important. Designed to give
birth, her body unconsciously knows the organic happenings of labor. A
healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy and non-medicated, or “natural,” birth are
usually safest for both woman and baby, yet if she chooses - or such a need
arises due to absolute necessity - medication and/or other medical
procedures, I will make her aware of benefits and risks to aid informed
choices.

What are my services?
Two prenatal visits and one postpartum follow-up at agreed-upon location;
being on-call two weeks before, two weeks after due date; prenatal and
postpartum phone support; evidence-based educational information to assist
the process of making informed choices; demonstration and practice of labor-
support techniques; birth goal-plan counseling; aid in understanding labor
signs and symptoms; comfort measures for early labor; nurturing
individualized physical, emotional, and educational labor and birth support;
continual presence throughout the entire duration of labor and birth;
help during the first/second hour with facilitation of infant bonding, as well as
breastfeeding if necessary; and community resources and referrals as
needed.

What are my add-ons?
Reiki and/or pregnancy massage sessions; individualized blessingway
ceremonies to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate journey into motherhood;
customized welcomingway ceremonies to present baby to loved ones; and
keepsake birth stories and poetry.

DISCLAIMER: Although there may be assistance with information using
education and experience, clients make their own informed decisions,
which are directly communicated to the medical staff. I refrain from
performing clinical tasks, medical assessments, interpretations, or
evaluations of mother and baby, for all such aforementioned tasks are
outside of my scope of practice.

FEES: Please contact me regarding prices and/or barter opportunities, as
each woman, and if she has a husband/partner present, receive "custom
care."