Birth Doulas Make a Difference
"Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers… strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength."
-Barbara Katz Rothman
The continuous presence, encouragement and reassurance of a birth doula along with her knowledge of comfort measures, can enhance labor and reduce pain & stress for the laboring mother. Birth doulas also help the partner take a "front seat" in labor support. Read current evidence based research on professional doulas with a brief video here.
What sets Peaceful Beginning apart ~ as a small group we work together to provide full coverage, a variety of services, knowledge and support to each of our clients. Our birth clients meet with, and get to know, their 2 primary doulas, backup doula and their postpartum doula prenatally. This team works collaboratively providing continuity of care for each client.
- 2 of our doulas work together with each birth doula client prenatally, both are on-call for the birth
- In the event of a long labor our doulas work together, taking turns to rest so that clients always have a fresh doula by their side that they have met and gotten to know.
- Each birth doula client meets their doula back up and our postpartum doula, Tracie at the 2nd prenatal meeting.
Peaceful Beginning birth doulas are certified and trained with years of experience in childbirth, postpartum, newborns and breastfeeding. We provide continuous support for the mother and her birth partner (which allows them to participate at their comfort level). Individually we bring areas of specialty to the group and are able to offer a more comprehensive service to each client because of this.
Our Birth Doulas Provide:
Physical Support
- Comfort measures for labor, role modeling appropriate support for the birth partner
- Assistance with breathing and relaxation techniques
- Ensuring that the laboring mom is getting sufficient nourishment, fluids, rest and movement to allow progression of labor with reduction of pain
Emotional Support
- Encouragement to help the laboring mom and her partner remain positive
- Reassurance about situations that arise during the prenatal, labor and birth process
- Continuity of care, we remain with the laboring mom and her partner throughout the labor and birth process NOTE- For all clients birthing in a hospital, professional doulas are currently the only maternal care support providers who go to the home of the laboring couple while in early labor which helps the couple know when to call their practitioner and when to go to the hospital, doulas then stay with the woman and her partner throughout labor and birth and for an hour or two after birth or until breastfeeding is established.
Informational Support
- Preparation for labor and birth, expanding on information learned in childbirth classes
- Explanations of situations and procedures that occur as well as assistance with obtaining information about the course of labor and options during the prenatal, labor and birth process
- Suggestions about positions and techniques that enhance labor and prevent the need for some medical interventions
- Assistance with interpreting the desires (birth preferences) of the laboring mom and her partner
- Non-clinical advice specific to each clients labor. As part of the "birth team" we do not come between you and your provider, rather we provide support while working with your provider and your nurse who is your advocate.
Complimentary interview- offered to all potential clients to explain our services and get to know us. Potential clients are also encouraged to meet and get to know us at the FREE Labor and Birth Forums held each month in Asheville.
Register with us for your baby shower and ask your friends and family to donate to your Peaceful Beginning account. We will provide them or you with a lovely gift certificate.
The capacity to care is the thing which gives life it’s deepest meaning and significance
~Cellist Pablo Casals
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Cheryl Orengo ~ Kelley Thomas-Hill~ Tracie Coyle ~ LeAnne Marrs ~ Rowan Lischerelli
828-258-3327
Peaceful Beginning © 2011
