The best ways to take advantage of everything your doula has to offer.

During Pregnancy:
During your pregnancy you may have a lot of non-medical questions that you may not necessarily remember to ask your health care providers. This is when you can consult your doula. Your doula is like pregnancy Google. If she doesn’t know the answer, she’ll find it or give you the resources to do it yourself.
During prenatal visit’s, your doula gets to know you and your hopes for birth. What makes your doula special, is that she takes on the same amount of enthusiasm about your birth plan as you and your partner. Your birth is taken as seriously as her own.

During Labor:
During your labor, you should consider your doula an extension of yourself. Chances are, if your thinking it, she should know it. Fears and inhibitions can hinder labor progress. This is the reason it is important to choose the right doula for you. You should feel like you can tell her anything. A doula is a professional and she does not judge.

Postpartum:
After your baby is born, your doula can help you in a number of ways. She helps with basic breastfeeding issues. She can entertain older siblings. Your doula is a calming presence in your home while you make the transition with your new baby. To best use your doula, you cannot be shy about telling her what you need or don’t need. She is there to help. How she helps is custom to YOUR needs.
Your doula is aware of all of your local resources. Whether it’s breastfeeding support, local mom groups, or government assistance. She wants to make sure you have everything you need to mother with confidence.

Author: Kim Stewart, Just Yours Birth Service

Used with permission.