How a Doula can help you....
During Pregnancy is the best time to meet your doula. Besides getting to know her, you can discuss what you would like from your birth experience. Your doula can answer questions and provide information that can help you make decisions concerning your labor and birth. During the prenatal visits, you can talk about the role you would like her to play and ways she can be helpful during the birth.
Labor and Birth, your doula joins you and your partner when you feel the need for her comfort and support. As you labor, she remains close by until the baby is born. During the course of your labor, she will be there to offer encouragement, answer questions and suggest ways to manage pain or speed labor. She uses relaxation, visualization, massage, body positioning, breathing and attention focusing techniques to help you. She is also there to provide comfort and reassurance to your partner.
After the Birth, your doula helps you through the immediate postpartum procedures and early breastfeeding, usually staying for the first two hours. If there is a need for her to stay longer, or additional support is needed she will adjust to fit your needs.

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