What is a Doula?
Whether you're looking for a Birth or Postpartum Doula, Kylie Bourne can offer you full support as a Doula in childbirth and the postpartum period.
Postpartum Doula
A Postpartum Doula is someone who provides practical, informational, and emotional support to new parents after the birth of their baby. The ideal time to book a postpartum doula service is within 3 months after birth (also known as the fourth trimester).
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The practical support
Work includes things like helping the family meal prep and get one-handed snacks ready for night-time feedings. It can entail light house cleaning and spending time with a sibling so the baby and parents can nap. Another important piece of this is also discussing with the family what things will look like once the postpartum doula is no longer there (who will cook, grocery shop, etc). The idea is for the family to feel empowered once that postpartum doula leaves.
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The informational support
Providing knowledge and understanding relating to newborn and infant care. Providing information on nappy changes, feeding (including light breastfeeding support), bathing, and other needs your baby may have. They also provide resources as needed. For instance, if a mother is experiencing mental health concerns, a postpartum doula will provide them with a list of local referrals who work counsel on postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
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The emotional support
Allowing the birth mother time to tell their birth story, sitting with them when they feel overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, and knowing when to provide additional resources for support as needed.
Labour & Birth Doula
A Labour and Birth Doula is a certified birth companion who assists women and their birth partner in labour and delivery of their new baby. The support they provide is continuous throughout the process of their birth and can be physical, emotional and informational.
The physical support
A doula can offer comfort through various techniques such a light tough massage and breathing techniques to help minimise the discomfort the birthing mother may be experiencing.
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The emotional support
Emotional support can be in the form of reassurance, comfort and encouragement. Giving the soon-to-be parents confidence in their birthing decisions and progress of labour. A birth doula can also help facilitate communication between you and your medical care providers, ensuring your birth preferences are being advocated.
The Informational Support
If you're a first time parent, your upcoming birth and the choices you have can leave you feeling quite uncertain. When pregnant, we often get a lot of advice (sometimes not always wanted) from well-meaning family members, friends... even co-workers. That combined with the medical advice our midwives or obstetrician give can make the journey to your approaching labour stressful and daunting.
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A birth doula can support parents in securing the information they need to make informed decisions during their labour and birth. When parents (particularly the birthing woman) have been supported to make the decisions that are right for them during labour, their levels of satisfaction about their birth are typically higher.
"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