What is a Birth Doula? "Doula" is a word of Greek origin meaning a woman who serves. A certified birth doula is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth. She provides continuous physical and emotional support and assistance in gathering information for a woman and her partner during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. The doula's encouragement, reassurance and practical knowledge of comfort measures and labor enhancing techniques can decrease discomfort and anxiety for the birthing mother. The doula works together with her client and her birth careproviders to meet her client’s individual needs. A doula does not usurp the father or partner’s role in the birth experience but enhances it by providing support and guidance for him/her in how to assist the birthing mother. The doula's nurturing patience, expertise and commitment to childbearing women and their partners can help women to have safe and satisfying birth experiences. The positive effects of doula support have been documented through many studies – labors are shorter, there are fewer complications, mothers are more satisfied with their experiences, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

Comprehensive Birth Doula Services The Doula Experience offers clients a prenatal consultation in the comfort of their own homes where they can become acquainted with their doula team and discuss plans for their birth experience. Women are encouraged to stay in communication with their primary doula throughout their pregnancy in order to develop a comfortable relationship and to keep each other informed of schedules and circumstances. Once labor begins, the mother and her partner receive the ongoing support of a doula throughout the entire birth experience. Labor support is provided both at home and at the hospital, according to the needs of the client. Following the birth, the doula who attended the family will offer an in-home postpartum visit to discuss the events of the birth and provide any further assistance during the client’s transition to parenthood. Contact Sunday for more detailed information about services and fees.

Associate Birth Doulas All birth doulas associated with The Doula Experience are skilled in the art of labor support. They have received training by DONA International or other qualifying organizations and are either certified or are currently working towards certification. The Doula Experience birth doulas have a true respect for the process of birth and regard for the abilities of birthing women, as well as a desire to be supportive and caring. In order to assure the best possible support for her birth, it is imperative that a woman and her partner feel comfortable with both their primary and backup doulas. A backup doula is selected with the client’s individual needs in mind and will attend the prenatal consultation in order to become acquainted with her client, her client’s partner and their birth preferences.

Agreement for Doula Services In order to secure doula services, please contact Sunday Tortelli for information on scheduling and availability. Request an Agreement for Doula Services, which will detail the obligations of the birth doula, the expectations of the clients and the terms of the agreement. Payment for Doula Services