When I was pregnant with my first child I really believed that my labor was going to be pain free. \u00a0I took Bradley Childbirth Classes, read more than your average number of books, planned a home birth and hired a doula. \u00a0You can imagine my shock when the contractions hurt, and they hurt in a completely different way than I had imagined. \u00a0The first person I called was my doula.<\/p>\n
What is a doula? \u00a0Essentially a doula is someone who is experienced with birth and offers continuous support throughout the process. \u00a0Her job during a woman’s labor is to “provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women during labor, birth, and in the immediate postpartum period” (Gruber,\u00a0Cupito &\u00a0Dobson, 2013<\/a>).<\/p>\n Interestingly, studies examining the impact of continuous support by doulas report significant reductions in cesarean births, instrumental vaginal births, need for oxytocin augmentation, and shortened durations of labor\u00a0(Gruber,\u00a0Cupito &\u00a0Dobson, 2013<\/a>). \u00a0Studies show different statistics, but one study reported a 28% reduction in c-sections and a 34% decrease in being dissatisfied with the birth experience<\/a>. \u00a0Or in the words of Dr. Kennell,\u00a0\u201cIf a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.\u201d (1998)<\/a>.<\/p>\n So what is Beautiful Birth Choices? \u00a0It’s a local organization that provides childbirth education, doula services, breastfeeding support, yoga classes, and honestly more than I could list here. \u00a0To view everything they offer, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Recently they moved to a new space and I had the honor and privilege of capturing their grand opening.<\/p>\n\r\n