Doulas
Birthing is the most profound inititaion to spirituality a woman can have - Robin Lim
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Should I Choose My Doula Over My Partner? Navigating Birth Support in the Era of COVID-19
Srividya Kannan Ramachandran was well into her pregnancy when she considered hiring a doula for the first time. The almost 35-year-old research lead at Facebook was attending a company-organized art class (Facebook offers extra-curricular courses to its staff to help mitigate work stress), and the instructor, who was also pregnant, asked her if she had enrolled in childbirth classes. She had not. The instructor passed along a recommendation for New York-based childbirth educator and doula Mary Esther Malloy’s popular Mindful Birth classes and Ramachandran enrolled a few days later. “I didn’t realize I wanted a doula until about three weeks into the class,” she says. “That’s also when I realized…
Resources
Doula Support For Pregnant Women Could Improve Care, Reduce Costs
Previous research has shown lower rates of cesarean births, more satisfaction from mothers and better newborn Apgar scores — a measure of a baby's condition at birth — among mothers who use doula care. In fact, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says in guidelines for safe prevention of cesarean births that doula care is "probably underutilized."
These Doulas Are Making Pregnancy Safer for Women of Color
"It’s not our bodies that are broken. We need to look at all the other external factors that are making childbirth more dangerous.”
What is a doula and how do they help women giving birth?
Women have traditionally been supported by a companion during childbirth, and there is good evidence this benefits both the woman and the baby. The World Health Organisation recommends continuous support for women during childbirth. Yet across the world, initiatives promoting health facilities as the safest place to give birth have not necessarily respected this tradition. But now we have new evidence on the ways women are supported during childbirth by a doula or other labour companion.
Where Doulas Calm Nerves and Bridge Cultures During Childbirth
In Sweden, midwives deliver babies. But doula culture interpreters act as bridges between midwives and immigrant women.
What Is A Doula?
I am not a mom; however, I have been blessed to hear the fascinating birth stories of some of my closest friends. Each of these friends has one thing in common when talking about their experience of childbirth: their desire to feel in control and connected to their own body during pregnancy and childbirth. One of these friends, in particular, worked with a doula and describes the experience she had as a completely transformative way for her to prepare for birth.
Birth Doula Training
Upon finishing class, I came to realize that having a doula was like having a loving and knowledgeable friend by your side, while not overshadowing the partner nor family, but rather enhancing the entire experience altogether. Now who couldn't use that?!
Doulas, a Growing Force in Maternity Culture, Seek Greater Acceptance
Doulas are a growing force in the ever-changing culture of maternity, at once a manifestation of the growing demand for personal service (the doorman, the yoga teacher, Amazon Prime) and a backlash against the perceived overmedicalization of birth, with its high rates of cesarean sections.
How Doulas Have A Huge, Positive Impact On C-Section Rates
Doulas -- nonmedical professionals who help women cope with childbirth and the postpartum period -- do many things. They soothe. They massage. They cheer. And, according to new research, they may also substantially lower women's odds of having a cesarean section that isn't medically necessary.
If Only Everyone Had a Postpartum Doula
When a baby comes, friends and families don’t always know how to help.
More Doulas Can Help Lower the Cost of Childbirth. There’s Just One Problem
A new report from Choices in Childbirth and Childbirth Connection, a program of the National Partnership for Women & Families, argues that increased access to doulas would help drive down the cost of childbirth in the United States.
New York to Expand Use of Doulas to Reduce Childbirth Deaths
Studies show the calming presence and supportive reinforcement of doulas can help increase birth outcomes and reduce birth complications for the mother and the baby. Still, only a small percentage of women use doulas nationwide.
Pregnant women employ ‘doulas’ for support during labour as NHS cuts hit
Pregnant women are hiring companions to hold their hands through labour for fear of being left without help and support by midwives.
The Amazing People Who Are Changing How Low-Income Moms Give Birth
A sweeping Cochrane review from 2011 found that when women have continuous support, whether from a spouse, friend, nurse or doula, the birth outcomes are generally better. And they are best when women are supported by someone who is not employed by the hospital and who has specific training in overseeing births -- a doula’s job description.
The Re-Emergence of The Doula
It takes a village to not only raise a child, but also to prepare for his or her arrival into the world. Today, giving birth involves making a variety of important choices, many that were not available to mothers in the past. A doula can help expectant mothers and their families during this life changing event-before, during and after the arrival of their bundle of joy.
Should I Choose My Doula Over My Partner? Navigating Birth Support in the Era of COVID-19
“Doula care is an evidenced-based measure that has been found to be the most successful intervention when it comes to reducing the risk of preterm birth and delivery complications—and this is according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” Strauss says.
Doulaing the Doula
Devoted to the development of doulas and our profession.
DONA International
DONA International is the leader in evidence-based doula training, certification and continuing education. Our doulas are the world's best!
Doula Services Network
We are here to guide you in the right direction. Whether you are searching for a doula in your local area or looking for doula training to help women in this very important transition of their lives… becoming a mother.
DoulaMatch.net
This site was developed to help expectant families quickly and efficiently find doulas who are available during their due dates. It’s also a great place to get a baseline understanding of each doula’s training, certification, and experience levels. Currently DoulaMatch only lists doulas in the US and Canada.
Madriella Doula Network
We believe that birth is a sacred event, and that motherhood is an anointed institution. We believe that all women need and deserve the support of other women during pregnancy and birth. We believe that the knowledge of labor support is the heritage of all women and should be shared.
Massage Doula
Brought to you by the Institute of Somatic Therapy. We are the premier certifying organization for prenatal massage and Massage Doulas. Massage Doulas are Certified Massage Therapists who have completed advanced study in prenatal massage, postpartum massage, labor, delivery support and, optionally, infant massage.
Radical Doula
To me, being a Radical Doula is committing to the hard work of facing issues of racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia head-on in our work with pregnant and parenting people. It means understanding birth as just one instance in a wide spectrum of pregnancy-related experiences that include abortion, miscarriage and adoption, and understanding why doula support across that spectrum makes sense.
YourDoulaBag.com
Being a doula is the greatest profession in the world! Our goal is to celebrate the doula profession and to provide a valuable resource for everyone who calls themselves a doula. We strive to carry the best products, blog about relevant doula information and provide top quality resources.
Anthro Doula
I write about childbirth, breastfeeding, doulas, feminism, anthropology, public health, women's issues, culture, maternal and child health, childbirth education, vaginas, breasts, lactation, midwives, pregnancy, reproductive health, and more.
Bellies & Babies
The diary of childbirth educator, doula, mother, & aspiring midwife.
Melbourne Doula
Welcome to 'Melbourne Doula', the place where I share what birth work is teaching is me, and what I am learning from the wonderful families who have invited me to share this most special season of their lives. Here you will find information about me and the doula services I provide, birth stories from remarkable women and their loved ones, as well as all kinds of resources to enrich your own journey of discovery.
Academy of Certified Birth Educators
The Academy of Certified Birth Educators is dedicated to providing childbirth education classes and doula training classes.
Birth Arts International
Birth Arts International offers Certified Doula, Postpartum Doula Certification, Childbirth Educator (CBE), Breastfeeding Educator Certification (BEC) and Midwife’s Assistant certification training and education, via workshop, distance learning and online eLearning.
Birthing From Within
If you enjoyed reading Birthing From Within, your confidence and personal growth will be enhanced when you take Birthing From Within childbirth classes with a trained Mentor or Doula. Read more about Birthing From Within childbirth preparation and what to expect in a class.
CAPPA
CAPPA, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators. Since our foundation in 1998, we have certified thousands of perinatal professionals. CAPPA is the Largest Childbirth organization in the world. CAPPA trains and certifies doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators and more.
Chidbirth Connection
Founded in 1918 as the Maternity Center Association, Childbirth Connection is now a core program of the National Partnership for Women & Families. For nearly 100 years, we have helped develop and advance many forms of care that are now critical components of the nation’s maternity care system.
Childbirth International
Childbirth International is a unique organization. With a global outlook and a strong belief in the "education is power" philosophy, we provide training for doula, childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor students all over the world.
Hypnobabies
Information about having an easier, more comfortable birth with hypnosis, and about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and newborn parenting choices!
HypnoBirthing
You are at the official HypnoBirthing Institute website. If you are an expectant parent and you are looking to take a class, then you can learn about the process here: Getting Started with Mongan Method HypnoBirthing®.
International Childbirth Education Association
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) is a professional organization that supports educators and health care professionals who believe in freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care.
MaternityWise Institute
International Board Certification for Doulas, Childbirth Educators, Lactations Support and Educators as well as Parent Advocates.
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