Doulas do:

   Provide physical comfort - massage or soothing touch, help with breathing and relaxation techniques, suggest positions or techniques for comfort and progress

   Provide emotional comfort - reassurance of normality and coping ability, encouragement, validation of feelings

   Inform clients - answer questions with accurate information, seek out information when they don't know the answers

   Encourage self-determination - support their clients' goals, make sure their clients understand their choices, translate jargon when necessary

Doulas do not:

   Practice medicine - do exams or procedures, make diagnoses or prescribe treatments, give second opinions, assist physician or midwife with medical care

   Make decisions for clients - advise or persuade clients to follow a particular course, talk about clients outside their presence, withhold approval for using or avoiding pain medications, speak on behalf of their clients to the medical staff

MOM TO BE

as the

Leading Lady

Leading Lady Labor Support honors the sanctity of the birthing couple.  The doula's role can enhance the experience for both the mother and her partner.  The doula's role allows the father to find his invaluable position in supporting his partner and to fully participate in the birth of his child as well.  The doula allows Dad to relax and just be there for his laboring partner without the stress of having to remember all the prenatal education.  The doula will be there regardless of hospital shift changes and is working solely for the birthing couple.  The doula is there to help you have the birth you want to remember!

Leading Lady Labor Support   Services

    Support Prenatally Includes visits to discuss your needs and desires for birthing:

                    -Suggestions on how to deal with the discomforts of pregnancy

                    -Assistance in preparing a "birth plan"

                    -A list of suggested reading material

                    -Telephone support whenever needed

    Support During Labor Includes:

                    -Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and birth

                    -Physical comfort measures such as massage, application of heat or cold packs

                    -Guidance in pain coping practices

                    -Suggestions of different positions to help ease and progress the birthing process

                    -Information on all the available labor management medication

    Support Postpartum Includes a visit to talk about the birth and any needed:

                    -Assistance with breastfeeding

                    -Advice on newborn care

                    -Information on postpartum health

                    -A written record of the birth

The Purpose and Value of Labor Support

A New Approach to Childbirth Education

About the Leading Lady Labor Support Doula

E-mail To Leading Lady Labor Support