Doulas

“Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. The word has now come to mean a woman who experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and during childbirth.”

– Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus
Mothering the Mother

During labor and delivery, doulas provide both partners with continuous calm loving support and practical suggestions for helping labor progress naturally, for pain management and relaxation. Each new parent is a unique individual for whom all services are personally tailored. The doula will respect your thoughts and feelings and will treat you with sensitivity as you make your own choices and decisions. Doulas work to help you develop self-confidence and trust in your own abilities to birth your baby and enjoy the breastfeeding relationship. Your hopes and fears will be acknowledged and honored.

To find a doula in the San Francisco Bay Area
http://www.doulasoftheeastbay.com/doulas/birth-doulas.html
http://www.mtdiablodoulacommunity.org

To find a doula anywhere in the USA go to http://www.dona.org, Doulas of North America International.

“My partner and I loved our class with Molly – it was a wonderful forum to explore all of our concerns and fears, and to feel supported by the community of other parents-to-be. Molly is extremely knowledgable, thorough and personable, and creates a great setting for open discussion about the insanity and hilarity of childbirth. For all prospective fathers out there – GET READY, LABOR IS BONKERS but I’m sure you’ll be fine.”