Having a baby is a big deal. Whether you are going to be a first-time mother or you have a house full of children, it can be a beautiful, complicated, and sometimes overwhelming experience no matter how prepared you may think you are. Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to your emotional and physical care that can help make the pregnancy and childbirth experience less stressful so that you can focus on being the best mom you can be.
What is a doula?
A doula is defined as “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.” Doulas operate based on the longstanding tradition of women rallying together to help a new mother, and they serve an important role in the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience. Their expert care has been proven to improve these experiences for mothers and their families, and in some cases has improved outcomes for mother and baby.