The Evidence for Doula Support

5 Ways Your Doula Loves & Cares For You | Brilliant Mama Blog Tour

I'm so excited to be a part of the Brilliant Mama Blog Tour sponsored by Jenni from Mamahhh.com. Pregnancy, birth, and parenting are big passions of mine!

Did you read Leigh Anne's post yesterday? She shared her best birth experience and my favorite part is when she said, "I had no idea that birth could be so amazing!" because it's totally true!

Also, make sure you visit Thrive Education tomorrow because Emi is sharing about teaching her daughter to love herself and her body. I can't wait! 

In fact, you might as well go ahead and sign up for the entire Brilliant Mama Blog Tour so that you don't miss a single post!

Now, there is one thing you should know about me. I fall deeply in love with my doula clients. There is just something about spending quality time with a family and helping them prepare for the arrival of their little one. Then, I get to be present for one of the most memorable moments of their life. What an honor! Plus, I get to visit them again when they are sleep-deprived yet head-over-heels for their little bundle of sweetness. Well, it just never gets old. I remember every birth and there probably isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about at least one of my sweet little doula families.

Doulas want you, your labor, your birth, and your transition into motherhood to be brilliant! We want to give your family the very best start whether this is your first baby or your tenth. I'm convinced that all good things start with love so here are 5 ways that doulas love and care for their clients.

1. She's on call for you. A doula will encourage you to contact her if you have any question or concern. She makes herself available to help you sift through emotional fears and pregnancy concerns. She answers calls, texts, and emails promptly. She will always have a plan A, B, and sometimes even C, in place to drop everything at a moment's notice and come to you in labor. Your wellbeing is a priority to her.

She's there when you need her... because you are loved and cared for.

2. She labors with you. Birth work is often called a labor of love. Doulas have been known to give back rubs and apply double hip squeezes for hours on end. She will walk with you, sway with you, squat with you, hold you, and lean over the tub to get to you. She may even climb in the tub with you if that's what's needed.

She does whatever it takes... because you are loved and cared for.

3. She comforts you. Sometimes, it's just her presence that brings peace and comfort during pregnancy and birth. Doulas "hold the space" to allow you to do whatever your body tells you. When you aren't looking, she's noting the temperature of the room and deciding if the lights need to be dimmed or the music needs to be adjusted. She reminds you to drink and eat and go to the bathroom. She gives your partner a break. She applies cool compresses and massage. She shares encouraging words and reminders that help you stick to your birth plan.

She notices and resolves your needs... because you are loved and cared for.

4. She stays with you. Unlike other care providers, doulas are unique in that they stay with you for your entire labor. They do not have other patients to attend to. You are her sole priority. Even after the birth, she may stay another hour or two to ensure that you and your partner are comfortable with feeding, infant care, and postpartum recovery.

She does not leave you... because you are loved and cared for.

5. She follows up with you. Just because you deliver your baby doesn't mean your relationship ends. She follows up with you at home to make sure you are settling in okay and to help you process all of those new mother feelings. And since babies change quickly, sometimes even daily, she's still just a call or text away with resources and referrals.

She keeps in touch... because you are loved and cared for.

Did you have a doula? Leave a comment below letting me know other ways your doula loved and cared for you.

Are you considering having a doula at your next birth? Be sure to learn more about the nYn doulas serving the Middle TN area and what our services include.

Don't forget to check out tomorrow's dose of brilliant over at Thrive Education. 

In case you missed yesterday, no worries. Click here to visit Confessions of a Misplaced Alaskan.

Thanks for stopping by the Brilliant Mama Blog Tour!

Staci Bishop

As the owner of nYn, I'm excited to be a part of our Nashville doula team. 

Staci Bishop, Owner

Certified Birth Doula & Hypnodoula

Now accepting new and repeat clients.  

Contact Me

**NOTE: My rates are increasing on January 1st. 

Book now to secure my current rate for your 2016 birth.

• Complete BIRTH Package: Perfect for 1st time parents or couples not planning to take a childbirth education class. $600
• Basic BIRTH Package: Great for couples already taking a comprehensive childbirth class or moms with a previous vaginal delivery. $525 
• BIRTH Only Package: Excellent choice for repeat clients or last-minute clients who have had a childbirth education course or previous birth. $450

• POSTPARTUM Rate: Support for mom/dad/siblings, baby care, breastfeeding help, household chores, cooking, errands. $25 per hour* 
• Overnight POSTPARTUM Rate: Baby care and breastfeeding support from 10p-6a. $125 per evening* 
• 24-Hour Immediate POSTPARTUM Care: Great for clients who have given birth at home or a birth center. Includes monitoring of mom & baby in addition to regular postpartum care. $500
• *Discounts offered for birth doula clients

Training:

• Childbirth International Birth Doula  |  Certified June 2012
• HypnoBabies Hypno-Doula  |  Certified February 2013
• Aromahead Institute: Introduction to Essential Oils  |  Completed April 2013
• Vintage Remedies Herbalism for the Birth Professional  |  February 2013

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My name is Staci Bishop and I reside in Nashville, TN near Opryland. I'm a wife and mother to an 8-year-old daughter. I also have a passion for all things pregnancy, birth, and babies. Here's a little bit about my story of how I became a doula.

When I first became pregnant I assumed I would have a run-of-the-mill birth. You know, use my same OB/GYN that I had been seeing yearly, have a hospital birth, get an epidural, maybe breastfeed if it worked out. You know, the usual.

Luckily, I had managed (unbeknownst to me) to surround myself with some naturally-thinking folks along the way. In conversation, I was asked how I felt about "routine" prenatal measures and labor & delivery techniques. I didn't know. I didn't realize I had a choice in the matter so I looked into it. Just a touch of research led me to question the essence of what everyone else in the world calls "normal." Turns out that I didn't trust "normal." I couldn't find any good evidence to support what Mainstream America was selling me about maternity care. In fact, I kind of became skeptical about most things so I researched some more. I started making educated decisions rather than just doing something because that's the way everyone else was doing it. My new "normal" revolved around doing the most natural things possible because they were getting the best results with fewer side effects. I simply did what made sense.


I learned a lot through my pregnancy and delivery. However, after months of research and preparation, I still didn't feel like I had a voice and felt I missed out on the positive birth experience I craved so much. I've come a long way since then by educating myself even more, putting it into practice, and seeing positive results from the things I believe in. I wish I'd known then what I know now. This is the number one reason I decided to become a doula. I want women to know that they have options. I want them to feel empowered and knowledgeable about pregnancy & birth.

As a doula, it is my goal to aid you in getting the outcome YOU desire. My job is to support you in the journey from pregnancy to labor & delivery and through the postpartum period. A positive outcome is in the eye of the beholder. We are all different, so you have to do what makes sense to YOU.  I'm just a facilitator of information who also provides support. 

Contact me today for a complimentary consultation or click here to learn more about birth doula packages.

World Doula Week Special Discount

Today, March 22nd, is World Doula Day, which also serves as the launch for World Doula Week. If you have never looked into doulas before, this week would be a great time to learn more.

Did you know? Research has shown the benefits of doula care at birth:

 Reduces cesareans by up to 50%
 Reduces instrumental delivery (vacuum & forceps) by 40%
 Reduces requests for pain medication by 30%
 Reduces need for Pitocin by 30%
 Shortens labor length by 25%
 Increases maternal satisfaction in birth by 30%
 Increases the rate of prolonged breastfeeding
 Reduces the rate of postpartum depression

Source: http://www.worlddoulaweek.com/upload/World%20Doula%20Week%20Manual%202013.2.pdf

Doula care has also recently been in the news, thanks to a recent study out of Michigan, which supports a previous Cochrane study showing that continuous support in labor leads to better outcomes. In summary,

"We conclude that all women should have continuous support during labour."  

In keeping with the saying, "every woman deserves a doula" I'm offering a special discount on my doula services. Anyone who contacts me during World Doula Week (March 22-28) to schedule a FREE consultation will receive a $75 discount off of my Birth Doula Package.

Contact me today and let's discuss how I can help you achieve the birth YOU desire.

Reading Roundup 9/3 (Homebirth & Doulas)

Homebirth Rate by State

STUDY: Homebirth in the United States, 1990-2009 - "After a decline from 1990 to 2004, the percentage of U.S. births that occurred at home increased by 29%"

Home Birth - Why It's Necessary - "Simply put, when there is no home birth in a society... essential knowledge of women’s capacities in birth is lost to the people of that society—to professional caregivers, as well as to the women of childbearing age themselves."

What is Home Birth? - Great article covering the basics of home birth including the following topics. What is it? Who does it? Why? Is it right for everyone? What's it like? How much does it cost?

What is the Evidence for Doulas? - EXCELLENT article explaining the roles of a doula and evidence for how they help women in labor. "Overall, women who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal birthsand less likely to have epidurals, any pain medication, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesarean births. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 1 hour and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth."

A Doula Does NOT... (Tips for Doulas) - This post clarifies some common misconceptions about the role of a doula.

Top 8 Reasons Why You Need a Doula During Birth and After - A doula still has so much to offer even after delivery. Page 2 of this article gives you some great reasons to hire a postpartum doula.

Why a Doula is Your BFF (BreastFeeding Friend) - "Mother's who had doulas were less likely to experience a delay in their milk coming in. 68% of women receiving doula care and 54% of women receiving standard care were breastfeeding at 6 weeks."

Listening to Mothers II Survey - This is a popular study that is referred to often when it comes to analyzing the experience that women have in childbirth. The report includes not just "what" happened in their birth but how they "feel" about what happened. This report is very telling.

STUDY: Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth - Author's Conclusions: "Continuous support during labour has clinically meaningful benefits for women and infants and no known harm. All women should have support throughout labour and birth."