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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Support is key

As women we go through a lot of work to get our babies earth side.  From the woman who gets pregnant without meaning to, to the one who has done several rounds of IVF, to the one who opts to use a surrogate, to the one who adopts, we as women have much strength and endurance.
How ever your little bundle of joy makes it into your arms and your heart there is much to say about what we go through.  Our emotions, energy, physical and emotional strength are just the tip of the ice burg.
Having had the opportunity to work with women going through many different scenarios getting their baby here, I have realized that each woman needs a person or persons that are there to love and support them in the choices that they make.
When the the mom is being supported in a way that is making her feel loved and comfortable her labor will go easier and smoother.  Mothers who are supported are in a better place mentally and therefore better able to make the informed decisions that are required of them while in labor.
When dads are supported as well they can better help the mom in labor.  They are less stressed and worried about the woman they care about.
The support starts when the mom is pregnant and we have a couple of prenatal appointments and talk about what the mom wants and what dad wants.  When there is a big difference is the two a Doula is able to help get the expecting parents to talk and come closer to an understanding of what each other is wanting or expecting.  A Doula is there to help work through the fears, worries and expectations of both partners.
The support is there after the birth of the baby as well.  I am there to help process the birth and go over things that have taken place.  If more support is needed than I can offer there are postpartum Doulas that I can put you in touch with.
With the right support a pregnant woman can do anything she wants to do.  You are so much STRONGER than you think!