Birth Doula Services in Kodiak
Let us show you how a birth doula can help you create a birth plan, provide physical and emotional support during your pregnancy and birth, and help you become a more confident new family.
Doula services are offered by:
- Zoya Saltonstall, Certified Birth Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator
- Winona Godwin, Birth Doula
What is a Doula?
A professional labor support person who provides emotional support during labor. A doula does not deliver the baby or have a clinical role.
Benefits of Having a Doula
- Unbiased support of mom’s birth plans
- 50% reduction of cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in need for epidural
- 40% reduced use of Pitocen
- 40% reduced use of forceps
- Fewer episiotomies
- Reduced instance of Post-Partum Depression
- Increases breastfeeding success
Doulas help make the birth experience as rewarding and satisfying as possible, for both mom and her birth partner. We provide knowledge and familiarity, optimizing the birth partner’s experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Doulas
Q: What does a doula do? How are they different from midwives?
A: A doula provides professional labor support. We have been trained to support the mom and her birth partner, with information, emotional support, and physical support. We do not perform any clinical procedures. Midwives are trained medical professionals, specifically trained in pregnancy and the birthing process. Doulas "mother the mother", while midwives provide medical care for both the mom and the baby.
Q: We want this birth to be a private event. Will a doula's presence ruin the intimacy?
A: Hospital births cannot be private events, as there are numerous medical providers required for the birth. Doulas can help to increase the intimacy because we are there to help you create the atmosphere that you desire, helping to remind the hospital staff of your preferences, so the two of you can focus on the birth and your shared experience.
Q: We took childbirth preparation classes. What can a doula tell us or help us with that we can't do ourselves?
A: It is wonderful that you took a childbirth preparation class to help you become familiar and comfortable with the process of birth, and to learn what your options are. Still, these classes can not completely prepare you for the reality of being in labor.
Doulas have specific training to help you navigate through labor, and have experience attending other births, allowing us to be familiar with the wide range of "normal" that occurs in the birthing process.
Q: My birth partner wants to be involved with the birth. Will having a doula there take away from his experience?
A: Doulas can take as active a role as the parents want. We can be hands-on during every contraction, or we can sit back and provide support only when requested. We are there to help you achieve the birth you want, in whatever for that takes.
Men naturally have less knowledge about birth, and doulas can help fill in the gaps. Doulas provide practical support and experience, allowing the birth partner to provide loving support. The birth partner's relationship with the mom allows a deeper level of intimacy than we could hope to achieve as your doula, and is an invaluable part of the birth experience. We can also help reassure the partner that the sensations and emotions the mom is experiencing are normal, which takes a large weight off of the partner's shoulders.
Q: We have a specific idea of how we want the birth to go. Will the doula follow our plan or will she impose her own ideas on us?
A: A doula's only agenda is to support her clients, to help them achieve the birth they want. We will work with you during prenatal visits to solidify a birth plan, so we are fully knowledgeable about how you want the birth to progress. We are your advocate, working to create your optimal birth experience, however you envision it.
Doulas lend support to moms going through every type of labor.
Q: How much do doula services cost?
A: Doula services are $400 but we will work with couples on a sliding scale payment program if necessary. For more information about labor support, please contact us. Zoya or Winona can talk further about dates of hire, availability, fees, etc.
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Doula Services $400 |
Doula Services Installment Plan |