Mothers hiring doulas have a 25% reduction in the length of labor, a 50% reduced risk of C-section, are 60% less likely to request an epidural, have a 30% reduced risk of forceps use, and have a 40% reduced risk of pitocin use. Women with doulas have improved success with breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. (from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, 1993). Doulas achieve these results by providing informational, emotional and physical support. Informational support: I like to meet my clients and their partners at least once prior to attending their birth to discuss with them their expectations and fears. I also feel that I need to inform them about the things they can expect during and after normal labor and birth, as well as about possible interventions and possible problems these may cause to the mother and the baby. I then continue to provide information and answer questions as they come up. Emotional support: I believe that helping the woman and her partner understand what is happening and what's normal is a big part of the emotional confort I can provide. Labor can be a stressful and vulnerable time, and the birthing woman sometimes needs to be reminded that she is the one in control of this situation, and has the right to make decisions as well as the right to change her mind. Physical support: includes helping the birthing woman remember to use comfort measures like taking a shower, emptying her bladder, eating, staying hydrated, as well as changing positions and information on various positions, and when they can be appropriate and/or helpful during labor and birth. Services I provide: Unlimited phone consultations Prenatal and postpartum visits as needed Help with writing a list of questions for medical provider(s) Help with writing a birth plan Help with research on various questions Landing books on pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding Help locating a lactation consultant in your area Help locating a postpartum doula in your area Help locating various classes and support groups Will accompany you on your tour of your birth facility of choice if desired Photographs taken per request Continuous informational, emotional and physical support during labor Payment on a sliding scale My initial training was with Seventh Moon, who has a DONA approved doula training program. I am currently taking steps to become an ALACE certified labor assistant and childbirth educator.