My Five Pillars of Birth Support
There is a common misconception that doulas only support unmedicated vaginal births. This is far from the truth.
The word doula is sometimes associated with non-medical, non-conformist, unconventional methods. Perhaps even seen in some circles as rebellious and anti-medical. For sure, there are a small number of doulas who fit this description. But that’s not me.
As a doula, I feel my role is to educate and encourage you to make the decisions that are right for YOU. I will never make decisions for you. I will never try to influence, sway, coerce, or persuade you to make decisions that align with my personal values, decisions, or the birth choices that I felt were right for me.
I want to ensure my clients feel supported in having the birth they desire, however that may look. Beyond this, I believe it is possible for people to come away from birth feeling empowered, even if events transpire in a completely different way than they envisioned.
My work as a doula is built on five important pillars that will empower you within the birth process. When you choose me to accompany you on this journey, it's my goal to make sure you feel:
1. Informed. The decisions you make will be based on an understanding of evidence-based birth practices.
2. Heard. You are deeply listened to and paid attention to, without time constraints.
3. Understood. The meaning of your words is interpreted and recognized correctly.
4. Validated. You are affirmed, valued, and made to feel you matter.
5. Autonomous. You are the leader in the care relating to your body and your baby/ies.
I believe that every person has the right to these five pillars of empowerment in order to experience high-quality, supported care during the perinatal period (the few weeks immediately before, during, and after birth).
Our healthcare system is stretched now more than ever before. The pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis, and added several more crises: an increase in cases of viral infections, emergency room overload, burned out healthcare professionals, staffing shortages… the list goes on.
Public healthcare professionals are working to the very best of their ability, but there are often gaps in emotional support, due to time, training, or personal constraints. Ultimately, the goal of the healthcare system, when it comes to perinatal care, is for babies to be born, and then babies and parents be healthy enough to go home.
The perinatal period is a time where you may feel at your most vulnerable, and the hormone fluctuations only add to that. People really need emotional support at this time, and the public system often cannot provide it.
In order to come away from pregnancy and birth feeling truly cared for, and empowered, many families need extra emotional support. Research shows that people who have the support of a doula report having positive birth experiences. My five pillars of empowerment are the foundation of this positive experience for my clients.
When you work with me, you will feel listened to and attended to. You will also feel secure in knowing that I have your best interests at heart.
As a doula, I support all kinds of births. And my number one goal is always to make you feel empowered, cherished, and supported in having the birth you envision.
