MASSAGE AND DOULA CARE

by Debbie Kacic, LMT

I recently completed a 3 day course in Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding and Birth Doula Care, working towards my certification with DONA, Doulas of North America.  What is a Doula you ask?  The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.  A postpartum Doula provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend a birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breast feed more easily.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Women have complex needs during childbirth.  In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.  Doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
• reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

• Feel more secure and cared for
• Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
• Have greater success with breastfeeding
• Have greater self-confidence
• Have less postpartum depression
• Have lower incidence of abuse

Part of my certification is to a part of three birthing experiences.  I will assist the mother and her partner a few weeks before labor and help them prepare a birth plan, during labor and delivery I  with provide both emotional and physical support as well as comfort measures when needed. I will return the next day to check in on mom and baby, and I will make one visit postpartum as well.  My experience so far with labor and delivery has been the birth of my own three children, all natural childbirths, each one unique in their own way.  I was my daughters birthing partner five years ago when my first grandchild was born, and ten months ago I assisted a friend and her husband with the birth of their second child.  I have completed all the hands on training there is and now need to get experience in the delivery room. 

Please give me a call at 330-721-9357 if you think that I can be of assistance to you during this miraculous time in your life!

"Debbie is the type of person that makes you feel like family the first time you meet her.  She makes you feel comfortable with whatever you need to discuss with her.  When she asked me if she could be the Doula during the birth of my second child, I said "yes" without hesitation.  She was perfectly prepared for hte pain I had during labor, and when she worked on my low back it was like the pain instantly dissipated!  I would recommend her to anyone looking for a way to ease the stress of labor, and you'll know why the minute you meet her!"  ---  Randi Suliks

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