TERESA
BAILEY
A DOULA IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
A member of "Heart
& Hands"SM Doula Service
A DONA Certified Doula
A doula
is a woman who stays with and
supports the laboring mother all through her labor.
A doula is experienced in helping with labor.
She provides comfort and support so that the experience of labor is a positive
one.
What is a doula?
The word “doula” is an old Greek word meaning
“servant.” And that's what the doula does for you. She's your
servant when you're going through the most challenging time in your
life—the birth of your child.
No matter how many children you've had, it’s a new adventure
every time. Here are some of the things a doula does for you while you're in
labor:
- She gives you emotional
support throughout the entire labor. She doesn't leave when the shift
changes.
- She explains the medical
procedures, so you know what the doctors are trying to do to you.
- She gives you massages and
other kinds of drug-free pain relief.
- She helps you have the kind
of birth you want. Since she's the servant, her job is to put you in
control.
- She gives you suggestions for
positions that will make the labor easier and quicker.
- If you have a partner, she
helps support the partner, too. Her job is to make the labor easier for
both of you—to help the partner help you.
- She can keep a written record
of the birth.
- She can take pictures of the
birth.
- After the birth, she can help
you get a good start with breastfeeding.
But the doula’s help begins long before you go into labor. She can
help you while you’re pregnant, too:
· She can give
you advice about exercises that will make your pregnancy and delivery more
comfortable.
· She’ll
help you come up with a birth vision.
· She’ll
meet with you to talk about your expectations and help you overcome your fears
about labor.
Medical studies prove it: Doulas make
births safer and easier. The positive
effects of having a doula have been studied more fully than the effects of
having an epidural.
Although the idea is centuries old, the benefits of a
doula’s one-on-one care have only recently been documented in several
separate studies. Studies of Doula-assisted births worldwide showed
decreases in:
- Cesarean birth by 51%
- Pitocin use by 71%
- Narcotics use by 35%
- Forceps use by 57%
- Length of labor by 98 minutes
Even among the best-educated and best-supported women in North
America, the latest studies show that having a Doula
decreases:
- Cesarean birth by 21%
- Forceps/vacuum extraction use
by 32%
- Epidural use by 16%
Eleven studies
showed the following effects of doula support:
Effects on labor:
Labors are shorter.
There are fewer complications.
The number of cesarean births is
reduced.
There is less need for Pitocin to speed up labor.
Use of forceps is reduced.
Women request less pain medication and epidurals.
Effects on the mother:
Greater satisfaction with
childbirth
More positive assessments of their babies
Less postpartum depression
Effects on the baby:
Babies have shorter hospital stays
and fewer admissions to special care nurseries.
Babies breastfeed more successfully.
Mothers are more affectionate toward their babies postpartum.
Effects on the health care system:
The cost of obstetrical care is
dramatically reduced.
Women are pleased with the personalized care doulas offer.
The benefit of continuous support in labor is recognized by:
The World Health Organization
The Medical Leadership Council (an organization of over 1200 U.S.
hospitals)
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
Birth pictures and baby pictures
About me
I’m Teresa Bailey. I am a doula in Pittsburgh.
I am certified by DONA International.
I live in Beechview, a neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh.
I have been practicing as a birth doula since 1999. I am DONA trained, which included instruction
in the use of: birth balls, different labor positions, relaxation techniques
and the emotional support of laboring women.
I work with "Heart &
Hands"SM Doula Service. I assist in new doula training. I am a leader in La Leche League International. I also
do blessing way consulting and belly casting. I am the mother of a beautiful
boy, Simon, born March 20, 2001.
I had a doula assist with my own birth!
I look forward to helping make your labor a beautiful experience to
remember.
You can contact me at (412) 341-1804 or E-mail me at teresadoula@verizon.net.
