|
Doula - An experienced labor companion who provides continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth. Doulas have been shown to shorten first-time labor, decrease cesarean section and the need for pain medication, helps fathers participate with confidence, and leads to more successful breastfeeding.
If you have a high speed connection, turn up your volume and click on the picture above to view a 21MB (please be patient as it downloads) slide presentation of a recent birth I attended. The presentation is courtesy of Kristin Farnsworth of Whispers Photography. This may give you some idea of how I will interact with you and your family during the birth.
Why I do what I do: My name is Wendy and I am a mother of six. I have been studying natural childbirth and birthing options for over nine years. I joined the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) in 2001 when my family was stationed in Japan, and began their distance learning program for Doula Certification. I finished my certification as a Labor Doula here in Alabama with several hands-on training sessions, including Lactation Educator and Childbirth Educator classes. I have learned so much as well from attending women in labor as a doula, and from the births of my own six children. Helping a woman find her strength and power as she gives birth to her baby is a truly awesome experience, of which I am privileged to be a part. I am a member of Operation Special Delivery for spouses of personnel currently stationed overseas, and offer discounts to other military families. I love helping pregnant and birthing mothers and families to have wonderful births. My philosophy is basically this: Read, Read, Read! Inform yourself, if you don’t know what choices you have, then you don’t have any choices. “Informed consent is one thing, understanding that information is completely another.” (P. Blomme , 2003) I want to be there to help the family make the choices that are right for them.
|
|