What is a Doula?

I have been dreaming of becoming a doula since taking my Prenatal yoga teacher training, and I am thrilled to share that I have finished my certification after many, many months of training! This is an exciting step to further support my pregnant clients and newly postpartum moms off of the yoga mat and into the birth space!

So what is a Doula? The term “doula” is Greek and refers to a woman who serves another woman with guidance and support. Doulas are hired to attend the labor, meeting the mother at the birthing location, and assist emotionally & physically throughout.

Doulas are trained to use massage, emotional support, educational support and positioning suggestions, and other comfort measures, to help labor progress and support a mother during her birth.

What sets me apart from other doulas is my yoga experience and thorough training in teaching yoga and mindfulness. I am comfortable guiding my clients into a focused, meditative state through various breathing techniques, visualizations, and offering hands-on assistance throughout labor.

Doulas also are advocates for the mother and baby, helping her voice to be heard. In addition to emotional support, Doulas are advocates of their client’s wishes as expressed in the Birth Plan. These Birth Plans are prepared with the mother and her partner, and the Doula helps to educate the clients on what can be expected and prepare for birth preferences so you feel confident and empowered in the decision making process.

Does a Doula replace the birth partner? Absolutely not! In fact, a doula can also offer support, guidance, suggestions, and encouragement to the partner as well. This can be incredibly helpful for a partner who may feel unsure how to help in the birth process. Doulas remain at the mother’s side also when the partner needs a break to tend to their needs, which can be handy during longer labors.

Some Doulas are even trained in postpartum care to support mom & baby, provide comfort as they settle in at home, and lend some extra help with household tasks. The postpartum doula offers extra care while mom recovers from pregnancy and birth, allowing her to rest, relax, bond with the new baby, and establish breastfeeding.

Birth Doulas are not medical providers, and do not replace a doctor or midwife. They are there to help support mom’s emotional and physical comfort needs, which smooths the labor process. A Doula remains at the mother’s side through the birth and until a few hours after.

AS YOUR DOULA I CAN:

• Attend you emotional and physical comfort needs during labor
• Teach you breath techniques to manage the sensations in labor
• Join you at your birth and remain with you throughout
• Help you create you Birth Plan
• Advocate your wishes as expressed in the Birth Plan
• Offer position suggestions to help labor progress more smoothly
• Encourage you with emotional support and empowerment

AS YOUR DOULA, I CANNOT:

• Supervise births (I am there provide support and comfort the mother, not deliver the baby!)
• Give medical advice
• Perform clinical tasks (like heart rate checks, etc.)
• Prescribe medication, herbal or homeopathic remedies
• Contradict the directions of a Midwife or Physician

As your Doula, I provide kindness and comfort to women in labor. I am there to assist you during one of the most vulnerable times in your life and offer a calm and reassuring presence for both you and your baby’s wellbeing. It is an important job and not one to be taken lightly, and I am so honored to offer this service to the La Porte, Indiana community.

Please contact me to check my availability and schedule a FREE interview. I would love to connect with you and see if I am a good fit to support you and your growing family!

🖤Christie

© Christie Trksak Gibertini | Divine Child Yoga LLC | www.divinechildyoga.com