Birth Options and Preparation












Local Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Instructors & Classes

Orlando, FL - STACEY & DAVID LACHICOTTE, AAHCC
(407) 895-9553  or  stacey-cole@cfl.rr.com

Sanford, FL -  LEIGH & RICHARD GREEN, AAHCC
(407) 688-4502  or  RICHARDANDLEIGH@BELLSOUTH.NET
 Doulas
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 What is a Doula?
Doula is the Greek word for woman servant. Today, it has come to mean a woman who specializes in helping families through the childbearing year.  Most professional doulas meet with the expectant mother before the birth to get to know the mother and her family. When the expectant mother goes into labor, they either go to the mother's home or meet her at the hospital or birth center to support the mother through labor and birth.  Doulas are an advocate and support person for the mother and baby.  They help make the mother comfortable during labor supporting her physicially and emotionally.  Most doulas are labor and birth doulas and do not do much in the way of postpartum doula, some do both and some specialize more in postpartum in the home after the birth.
Throughout all of time, until the past 100 years or less, women have always given birth in the presents of women and those same women who attended the mother in labor and birth continued to care for the new mother for days or weeks following the birth.  Having an experienced professional labor support person to help the mother through labor and birth instills confidence and reduces anxiety and fear so the laboring woman can be more relaxed with less pain and maintain some control of the birth experience. Having a more rexlaxed birth reduces stress for both the mother and the baby so mother and baby will get off to a better start with breastfeeding and their new relationship as mother and child.

Current research has shown us that using a professional doula during labor provides you the following benefits:  



Benefits of Hiring a Doula
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery

Information was obtained from
Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a
Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth
by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993).
Imagine a world...............
Where women are encouraged to trust their bodies. Where myths about childbirth are dispelled.
Imagine a world...............
Where women are given the tools that they need to achieve a natural childbirth if that is what they desire.
Imagine a world...............
Where women are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their births.
Imagine a world...............
Where education does not involve guilt but empowers women to choose the kind of birth that is best for them.
Imagine a world...............
Where women are surrounded by caring compassionate support when they give birth.
Imagine a world...............
Where new mothers are empowered to embrace motherhood with confidence.

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 Central Florida Area Doulas - Central Florida Birth Network

Apopka  
Glorida Gluskin
407-884-0065 or
407-399-8801
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
Clermont
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
Cocoa
Robin Moon
(321)777-6187
Wendy Wendler
(321)795-5614
Rachel Powers
(321)757-5772
(321)223-0405
Deltona
Rhonda Huggins
407-474-9591
386-575-0843
Melbourne
Judy Machorek
(321)951-7739
Robin Moon
(321)777-6187
Kristen Phillips
(321)751-3626
Rachel Powers
(321)757-5772
(321)223-0405
Orlando
Pamela Campbell
(407)647-6419
Laura Dana
(407)758-0878
(407)297-8622
Sandra Chavez-Johnson
(321) 441-6969

Cynthia Koerner
(407)679-5952
Maggie McCarthy
(407)234-7482
Augie Rigual
(407)343-2166
Cristy Nielsen
(407) 977-7157
Glorida Gluskin
407-884-0065
407-399-8801
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
Sanford
Judith Wilhelm
(407)328-7383
(407)665-3277
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
St Cloud
Lou Ann Sokolovic
(407)892-5174
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
Titusville
Debra Fesmire
(321)268-1979
Winter Park
Pamela Campbell
(407)647-6419
Cynthia Koerner
(407)679-5952
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646
Winter Springs
Maggie McCarthy
(407)234-7482
Rebecca Luckey
407-398-2646


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 Questions to Ask a Doula

The following questions will help you decide if a particular doula is right for you.

For any doula:
What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.)
Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
What is your fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies?

When interviewing a birth doula:
Tell me/us about your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor.
May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me/us through childbirth?
May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
Do you meet with me/us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?

When interviewing a postpartum doula:
Tell me about your experience as a postpartum doula.
What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
May we meet to discuss our needs and the role you will play?
What different types of services do you offer?
When do your services begin postpartum?
What is your experience in breast-feeding support?
Have you had a criminal background check, a recent TB test?
Do you have current CPR certification?
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 Suggestions to prepare for the birth of your baby

1 - Educate yourself about prenatal care, labor and birth...start reading early on           
The Birth Book
By William Sears, MD
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
Immaculate Deception II
By Suzanne Arms
A Good Birth, A Safe Birth
The Doula Book
Marshall Klaus, MD
Birth Your Way
By Sheila Kitzinger


Search Now:
In Association with Amazon.com
Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding

2 - Choose a healthcare provider who believes in informed choices and is willing to work
with you as a partner in decision making with respect toward your birth plan

3 - Tour and learn about your birthing place (hospital or birth center)

4 - Attend Childbirth classes

5 - Hire a Doula for the labor and birth   

6 - Plan for in-home care of mother and household for the first 2 weeks after the birth if at all possible (dad, family, friends or postpartum doula).  New mothers should not be alone for long hours of time.  They are recovering from childbirth and learning to be a Mom.  New mothers need lots of rest, time to just spend with their baby,  and emotional and physicial support.


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NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
© 2001 Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services all rights reserved.
This internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only.
If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should
always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.