Personal Pregnancy Coaches Available for Growing Families

Pregnant women all over the United States are steadily realizing the benefits of utilizing the services of doulas. Modern doulas typically offer pregnancy support, birth coaching, and postpartum care. They also offer support to the partner of the pregnant woman. Doulas are an ancient tradition in my cultures. The word "doula" originates from the Greek word for the most important female servant within a Greek household. Throughout history, this woman was charged with assisting the lady of the home through the process of childbearing.

Much of the doula's work is of an emotional nature. She believes in a woman's ability to know her own body, her labor and her baby. She helps women trust in this knowledge. A doula also strives to empower her clients with her knowledge of the birth process and is an advocate for the pregnant woman. A doule often facilitates communication with the medical staff or midwife. Qualified doula's are knowledgeable about labor coping and management skills. Many strive to maintain a calm atmosphere with lighting and music during the labor and delivery process. Massage is also a technique that many doula's use to offer comfort.

Many doulas are also offer postpartum support. They often offer referrals to lactation consultants, pediatricians, counselors, and support groups. Postpartum doulas assist with the adjustment that a new child brings to families. Meal preparation, light household tasks, companionship, and knowledge in the areas of feeding, infant development, and parent-infant bonding are the areas that doulas may address.

DONA, Doulas of North America, is a doula group with an international membership of over 5,000 birth and postpartum doulas. This organization offers certification for birth doula certification and postpartum certification. The organization's website, http://www.dona.org, also offers a state-by-state directory of certified doulas.