Doulas are trusted, non-medical professionals who provide respectful physical, emotional, and information support during birth, pregnancy, and early parenting. Doulas work with you and your doctor or midwife to navigate your care during birth and after baby is born.

We understand that birth is deeply rooted in family and tradition, which is why we want to make sure you have the doula that can best support you. Whether they speak your language or share your background, families thrive when they have community support.

• Have shorter labors with fewer complications
• Reach their infant feeding goals more easily
• Have fewer cesarean births
• Describe more positive feelings about their birth

Your doula can help with feeding, weighing, and bathing and answer your questions and share resources and ideas. If you have other children, doulas can talk with you about sibling adjustment and this next phase of parenting.

Doulas do not take the place of the midwives, doctors, or nurses. They are specially trained to give you information and support and work with your health care providers for a healthy and satisfying birth.

During your pregnancy, your doula can answer questions about what to expect at your place of birth, teach you different labor positions, help you write a birth plan, and you can work together on how you can be supported when you return home with your new baby. At your birth, doulas provide continuous care, including massage and emotional support.

Your doula is specifically trained to support people during birth. This includes helping those you choose to welcome to your birth. Your friends or family members may be excited, tired, or overwhelmed and unsure how to best help you. A trained doula can help them with strategies on how to best support your healthy birth. Your CDP doula does not count against the number of allowed visitors at the hospital.

When you meet your doula, she can explain to you the specifics of her care, when she will be "on-call" for your birth, and other details. Generally, your doula will meet with you two times before the birth, provide support during your labor and delivery, and two visits after the birth in your home.