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The word "doula" is an ancient Greek word meaning "woman's servant". Today it refers to a
supporting the needs of women before, during, and immediately following childbirth. A doula
provides the woman or couple with physical, emotional and informational support during those
times. (See also "What My Doula Services Include") A doula does not perform medical acts,
such as vaginal exams, blood pressure readings, etc. Recent studies have shown that, when
a doula is present at a birth, babies are healthier and breastfeed more easily, labors are
shorter, there are fewer cesareans, less pain medication is needed, and the mother and her
partner are more comfortable and happier with the experience.
A quality doula will help pull together and enhance the birthing team. Having a doula present
allows the partner to participate at a level that is comfortable to the couple. Even couples who
attended quality childbirth classes have expressed relief that a doula was present so that they
could relax a bit more knowing the doula would remind them of what they learned in childbirth
class. The combined efforts of a loving partner, knowledgeable and caring doula, and a
competent and considerate medical staff give the woman the best chance for a optimal
outcome.
In the hospital - Midwives in hospitals are primarily responsible for the medical health and
safety of several laboring women and their babies. Therefore, even if you get a fabulous
midwife whom you immediately connect with, she most likely will not be with you from
beginning to end. She will have other moms to care for and there may be a shift change
sometime during your labor. A doula is there from the time you agree for her to arrive until
Mother and Baby are happily nursing and immediate needs have been met. Her primary focus
is your physical and emotional comfort and helping you get the information you need to make
informed decisions regarding your medical care. She helps ensure you and you alone have
the birth experience you want. In addition to the benefits to the mother, most midwives and
labor & delivery nurses welcome the presence of another knowledgeable care provider to
lighten their sometimes overwhelming responsibilities.
Out of the hospital - Even if you are the only laboring woman your midwife is caring for, you
may still want to have a doula present. As stated above, the primary concern of your midwife
will be ensuring the health and safety of you and your baby. If your midwife will have less than
two assistants, you may need to have a doula present as well.
Absolutely. A doula can help you manage your labor longer, reducing the amount of drugs you
and your baby are exposed to. She can help you deal with the side effects of medications
used in labor. Often, after an epidural is given, hospital staff and even loved ones pay more
attention to the monitors and less attention to the laboring woman. When the signs of physical
discomfort are gone, they may feel that all of her needs are being met. This is not the case. A
laboring woman still needs strong emotional support. In addition to providing this emotional
support and encouraging loved ones to stay involved, the doula continues to provide
informational support so that the couple can make informed decisions.
A doula can have a tremendous effect on how a woman feels about her cesarean birth
experience, regardless of whether it was planned or an emergency. If a woman is informed,
well supported, and cared for throughout the birth, she is more likely to come away from it with
a positive feeling. A doula can help explain hospital procedures and she can narrate the birth
to the mother if the partner prefers to be by the mother's face rather than watch the operation.
She can stay with the mother while the partner accompanies the baby to the observation area.
After the cesarean, the new mother may require extra assistance in getting her baby latched
onto her breast. At a postpartum meeting, the doula reviews the birth with the mother and
helps to clear up any misunderstandings that may have occurred. The doula is an
understanding, trusted confidant with whom the mother can freely express ANY feelings
regarding her birth experience without fear of being judged or belittled.
Most doulas only accept a certain number of clients per month. It's best to find a doula you like
early, so that she can add your due date to her calendar.
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In 2003, as a prerequisite to midwifery school, I attended Seattle Midwifery School’s Labor
Support Course for Birth Doulas. I had the privilege to study under Penny Simkin, P.T., CD
(DONA), one of the founders of Doulas Of North America (DONA), author of several birth
related books, and a legend in the birthing community. I was so inspired by the course that I
continued my doula training and became a DONA certified doula. In addition to my DONA
certification, I also hold specialty certification in Assistant Coaching from the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (AAHCC). A listing of my training would not be
complete without mentioning how much I've learned about supporting the natural process from
attending home births as a Midwife Assistant and now a Student Midwife. And, of course,
attending hospital births as a doula and supporting students has been invaluable in teaching
me about how the hospital system works and how to make the best of what the hospital has to
offer.
Initial Contact and Meeting - When you contact me regarding doula services, we will set up a
time for the three of us to meet. This is just to get to know each other a little and discuss your
needs and my services. I do not charge for this meeting and there is no obligation to hire me.
Prenatal Contact - In addition to being available to you for phone consultation, I will meet with
you again at least once before your birth to further explore your priorities and any fears or
concerns you may have. We will discuss your preferences regarding pain medication and I will
give you a worksheet for you to use in formulating a birth plan if you don't already have one.
We will discuss how you and your partner foresee working together and what you will be
expecting of me. We may also schedule another meeting. At a second meeting or by phone/
fax/ e-mail we will need to finalize your birth plan and make sure everyone is as prepared as
possible for your birth.
Labor and Birth - I will ask that you call me as soon as you think you are in labor. Even if you
do not need me to be with you yet, I can answer questions, make suggestions, and make
whatever arrangements I need to make to ensure I can join you when you do need me. If I join
you at home, I can help you labor as comfortably as possible there and assist with the move to
the place of birth if you are not planning a home birth. Throughout your labor and birth I will
draw on my training, personal and professional experience to provide caring, emotional
support. I will assist your partner in participating as much as he/she is comfortable with. I can
provide reassurance to you and your partner on what is considered normal behavior for a
laboring woman. I can provide an educated and independent perspective, make suggestions
for labor progress, help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for
comfort. I can help preserve your birth plan by making every effort to be sure you are aware of
and agree to deviations from your birth plan. If needed, I can communicate with your medical
team to help you obtain information needed to make informed decisions. After you have given
birth, if you wish, I can assist you in getting your baby properly latched on and breastfeeding
comfortably. When you and your new family are settled in, I will leave you to get to know each
other better and to rest.
Postpartum Contact - In addition to being available for postpartum phone consultation, I will
want to meet with you about two weeks after your baby's birth. This gives us the chance to go
over your birth experience and answer any questions you may have. I can also give you
contact information for different mom's groups and/or support groups in your area.
*** I host an annual lunch for my current and former students and doula clients and their
families.
"Sherry Rumsey was our doula for the birth of our first child, Audrey (12-13-03). It was a
nervous, anxious time for us and Sherry made us calm, confident, and empowered us to make
some of the difficult decisions that we had to make...Sherry guided us, but we were always in
control...The experience was wonderful and Sherry was a big part of our experience...Sherry
was throughout our pregnancy a great asset. She conducted herself in a very professional
manner and she has considerable insight about pregnancy and child birth. She is a kind,
warm, person and was really there for us when we needed her. We would recommend Sherry
to our friends, and already have.
-Stuart & Justine Palomino von Wolffradt"
The current rate for doula services in the southern California area goes all the way up to
$2000+ per birth depending on certification, experience and services offered. I am currently
charging $800 per birth for couples who take one of my Bradley Method® Childbirth Class
Series and $1000 for all other couples. I only accept 4 births per month.
A $300 deposit is due when you hire me as your doula and I put your birth on my calendar. For
Birthing Baby students, another $300 payment is due by your 38th week of pregnancy. For
non-students, the second payment is $500 (due by your 38th week of pregnancy). The
remaining balance, $200, is due within 2 weeks of your baby's birth. I accept cash, check,
money order, credit and debit card payments.
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| Doula Services • Bradley Method® Childbirth Classes • Private Classes sherry@birthingbaby.com Los Angeles, California (818) 4•My•Baby Copyright © 2004 Sherry S. Rumsey All rights reserved. |