Certified Doula
Thank you for the donations for the mothers and babies in the Dominican Republic read more
Listen now to learn What is a Doula?
Click the play button to listen to the founder of Birth Arts International as she discusses the work of doulas.
I AM A DOULA
As a birth Doula I look forward to providing continuous support to women during the labor and birth process. As a postpartum Doula I provide support to women after the birth of the baby. This postpartum support is based on the needs of the Mother-Baby dyad and may include; breastfeeding support, early parent education, newborn basics, easing into postpartum life, mother-infant care. Reserve your free consultation to learn if working with me is right for you by clicking here.
Education
Through Birth Arts International I completed the Monitrice and Midwife's Assistant Training Program and earned my certification. This
certification program is extensive and exploratory in nature. Students
learn how to
work prenatally, during the labor and the postpartum period, serving
the needs of the mother and her family, and complete additional training in clinical hands-on skills. Additional training with WomanCraft Midwifery Education Program, Niara Healing Arts and MotherLove, Inc,
Volunteer Doula Work
I volunteer as a birth doula
with the Bronx Doula Project and administer two Yahoo Groups which match
low cost and free doula services and mothers; NYC Birth Doula
Connection and Hudson Valley Birth Doula Conenction (see links at the
bottom of this page). I have provided doula services in the Dominican Republic and I look forward to returning and exploring other volunteer opportunities abroad.
Doula Networks
Woman's Way Doula Group and Orange County Doulas (Hudson Valley,NY)
The Doula's History
Throughout the ages, in nearly all societies for which we have records,
women have been helped and comforted in labor by other women. These
women stayed throughout labor providing physical comfort, emotional
reassurance, and information. Essentially, labor support is "mothering
the mother." Today, labor support professionals called doulas (DOO-lah;
Greek for "woman who serves") are trained to provide the comfort and
care women need during labor. The Doula at a turning point in the history of childbirth (extract from "The Farmer and the Obstetrician" by Michel Odent. Free Association books)
Benefits of a Professional Labor Companion- 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
- 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
- 28% less likely to use any pain medications and
- 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience (Courtesy of Childbirth Connection, Hodnett and colleagues 2004)
Women who had continuous one-to-one labor support were less likely to:
- have regional analgesia/anesthesia
- have any analgesia/anesthesia
- have an instrumental vaginal birth (forceps/vacuum extraction)
- have a cesarean birth
- report dissatisfaction or negative rating of the childbirth experience
- they were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth (Data Source: Continuous support for women during childbirth, Hodnett and colleagues 2007)
My philosophy
- It is my responsibility to promote and inform you about the normalcy of pregnancy and childbirth.
- Pregnancy is not an illness to be cured and managed, but a normal part of a woman's life cycle.
- It is my job to know, understand and practice the ten steps outlined in the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as they relate to providing you with support during your pregnancy and labor.
Scope of Practice
As your Doula I will…
- Remind you to not make decisions based
on fear or a lack of understanding, but based on your vision for your birth,
your heart and sound evidence based practices.
- Provide emotional and physical support, and education.
- Share evidence based information
about medical interventions and the impact on labor, birth and the newborn.
- Support your labor and birth preferences as your
personal choices regardless of my personal views.
Learn more about my services
Click the play button to listen to the founder of Birth Arts International as she discusses the work of doulas.