Doula Care
What is a Doula? - Pregnancy - Labour - Postpartum
www.nsairafiphotography.com
Summer Sale!
Enjoy any group prenatal class at a sale price of $280 when you register between now and Oct 1st!
To confirm doula care please complete the contract and fill in the registration form or contact us to arrange a free interview.
Birthing naturally means birthing in
the way that comes naturally to YOU!
Toronto doula services by The Nesting Place brings thoughtful and understanding doula support to all parents. We support families of all walks of life and believe that birthing naturally means birthing in the way that comes naturally to you. Whether at home or in the hospital, with a midwife or doctor, with or without medical pain support, vaginally and by cesarean birth; birth unfolds in many ways.
Your doula supports your personal preferences and desires.
Why Invite a Doula?
How Doulas Hold Space
Partners and Doulas
What is a doula?
A doula is a birth coach who is the only person on your health care team who can provide consistant support for you to maintain the deeply focused mindset required to move through the challenge of contractions. A doula also provides prenatal support for birth preparation and postpartum support for your transition home with a baby.
Doulas are often confused with midwives, and some parents are under the impression that they can't have a doula or don't need one if they already have midwifery care. Find out why it might be useful to have a doula for your birth (even with midwives) from our blog posting: Five Common Myths About Doulas
Pregnancy:
Interview: To get to know one another, we can talk over the phone or meet for an interview free of charge. This is a good opportunity to ask any questions about doula services and to see if we would work well together. Choosing a doula is a very personal decision. The doula you choose should be one you are compatible and comfortable with.
Should we choose to work together, your due date will be reserved and your doula will be on call for you 24 hours a day for questions, concerns and for your labour.
Photoshoot: You'll feel pampered and receive beautiful pictures of your pregnancy or newborn with a photoshoot with professional photographer Negin Sairafi. You may use your photoshoot anytime in pregnancy or postpartum and personally choose the pictures to take home with you. Visit her website www.nsairafiphotography.com. This photoshoot is included in all Nesting Place doula packages.
Prenatal Visits: During your pregnancy doula services includes two prenatal visits where we will explore your hopes and preferences for labour and postpartum, address any fears or concerns regarding your pregnancy labour or parenting and see how you would best be supported during childbirth. We will also do some activities that help build a pain coping mindset for labour.
Phone Support: In addition to our meetings, your doula is also available by phone for questions and concerns at any time. You are encouraged to call your doula whenever something changes that may indicate the onset of labour. Consistent communication allows for the best support possible leading up to your labour.
Community Referrals: We are familiar with a number a resources for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in Toronto and will provide references for you if desired. You may also be referred to a practitioner should your questions or needs be out of our scope of practice as a doula.
Labour:
At the onset of labour your doula will come to your home or meet you at the hospital. Typically, you receive support during labour well before the transition to hospital or the arrival of your midwife. During this time, your doula helps to interpret the progress of labour, provide comfort measures, offer alternative pain coping practices, prepare food and offer support and reassurance to partners.
A doula works in a team with your partner. Your doula works with your partner to support their experience of labour and the transition to parenthood. In our prenatal visits, our discussions and activities build confidence in partners as they find their comfort level as labour support. During your labour, a doula helps partners to become involved to the degree they are comfortable, and will continue to support the birthing mom if her partner needs a break to sleep or eat.
How is a doula different than a midwife or nurse? Midwives and nurses are trained to provide the best clinical care for you possible. A doula does not perform any clinical tasks and can devote her entire attention to your emotional and physical needs during labour. A doula will also accompany you in early labour, well before you go to the hospital and/or your midwife arrives.
During labour we will help you focus, provide opportunities for you to discuss your labour with your health care team, advocate for your preferences, provide comfort measures and create a birthing environment that makes you feel nurtured and listened to.
After your baby is born I will stay with you for two-three hours. In this time, we would continue to advocate for you and hold space for your new family. If you would like pictures of this time, please provide a camera for your doula to take photos while you bond as a new family. I will also tidy your home or birth area and provide basic breastfeeding support.
Postpartum:
We meet twice in the weeks following your baby's birth. It can be helpful to meet once in your baby's first week and once in the second or third week of postpartum. During these visits breastfeeding and baby care support is provided. We can also explore how you are feeling about your transition to parenthood and the challenges you have met so far.
We can also discuss your experience of birth and answer any questions you may have about your labour experience.
In this fragile time, we continue to make ourselves available to you by phone.
Please contact us to arrange your free interview!
