Studies show that women who have a Doula with them while they are having a
baby:
~decrease their chances of having a cesarean section by 50%
~request
epidural anesthesia 60% less
~decrease their need for oxytocin to speed labor
by 40%
~reduce the need for forceps or vacuum extraction by 40%
~shorten
their labor by 25%
~report having a more satisfying birth experience
The Doulas on this list are not necessarily associated with Doulas of Southern
Oregon.
Doulas of Southern Oregon is not responsible for the actions of any Doula
on this list, and the consumer is encouraged to interview each Doula to ensure compatibility.
Now that the disclaimer has been said, we wish you luck in finding a GREAT DOULA!
Molly received her training as a Doula from Co-Creations for Joyful Birth in 1995. She feels that regardless of what a persons' circumstance might be, everyone is entitled to an honorable birth experience. Being a young mother herself, Molly focuses on helping the younger mothers with their unique needs. She offers empathy and understanding, along with the skill she has obtained in the past two years. Molly honors the wishes of the mother-to-be and helps her create a flexible birth-plan that will help prepare the mother for her birth experience. Her fees are based on a sliding scale. To find out more, call her at 664-9360.
Birthways is a group of local birth professionals in the Ashland area who specialize in Doula support, lactation counseling, breast pump rentals, new mom's groups, and childbirth education classes. To reach a staff member, call 773-0328
Sarah received her Doula training at the Seattle Midwifery School in 1996. Since
then, she has attended both home births and hospital births as a Doula. Sarah's primary
objective is to help every client of hers have a positive, meaningful birth experience.
She helps facilitate this through education, empowerment, and support. Sarah prides
herself on focusing on the specific needs and wants of each family so that all concerns
and thoughts are met with individualized attention.
Sarah is currently a semi-bilingual
Doula contracted by La Clinica Del Valle and offers her services on a private basis
as well. To reach her, call 488-0990.
Ananda received midwifery training at Maternidad La Luz. There she attended over
80 births and provided over 350 hours of one on one emotional support for laboring
women. Because of her training in midwifery, she understands the details of the birthing
process and sees the large picture of prenatal care to postpartum care. In college,
she studied sociology and psychology which allows her to help women in a variety
of ways. She believes that the knowledge of how to give birth exists in every woman.
She honors the differences in every birth and in every woman. She encourages women
to trust in the natural process of birth and empower their bodies with confidence.
Ananda defines the Doula as someone who - encourages the natural breathing rythms
for labor, rather than forced patterns - explains the choices that are available
for labor and delivery- facilitates natural comfort measures to cope with pain -
facilitates family/partner involvement - and collaborates with the medical team to
insure the safest care for mother and child.
To reach Ananda, call 482-1013.
Cindy is a childbirth educator and Doula and has been teaching classes fro the
last 3 years. She chose ICEA as her professional affiliation because she truly believes
in their philosophy of "freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives".
Her classes reflect this philosophy as she teaches about options available to birthing
women such as birth balls, Doulas, and jacuzzis to help facilitate the natural process
of birth. Her most meaningful motto is "TRUST BIRTH".
This is also reflected
in her care of women during labor. Being truly supportive of a woman's choices during
childbirth is what is most important to Cindy. Providing consistent emotional and
physical comfort to mama and partner is the first priority. Cindy looks forward to
working with women on an ongoing basis to help provide the most natural atmosphere
in a technology based setting such as a hospital where most women are birthing these
days. Most importantly......
"Trust your body and your baby more than anything
else."
Laura has been working as a Doula in our community for over seven years, and has attended over 150 births. In this time, she has established a working relationship with the medical staff at all 3 hospitals. Laura believes that each woman deserves to have a Doula at her birth, and places her work as one of her highest priorities. She combines her keen skills with her sense of compassion in order to provide the best quality care for the mother. To reach her call 770-5155
Kelly learned early on that fear plays a big role in the complications of childbirth.
She also learned that just about every one of us enters the labor/delivery room with
some amount of fear. It is her number one priority to see that her client is fully
prepared to enter that room armed with the knowledge (about the labor process) that
it takes to keep birth as complication-free as possible. Kelly prepares the mom for
birth by teaching her vital information that is rarely taught in the standard childbirth
education class, and shares with her valuable coping skills that aid relaxation.
With
this one-on-one attention, Kelly makes sure that her client is fully prepared prior
to the birth.
Kelly also desires to see each mom come away from her birth with
a sense of satisfaction and joy. She received her initial Doula training in 1992,
and has taken 2 additional training courses since then. She is currently the Doula
Coordinator for La Clinica Del Valle and the owner of Doulas Make A Difference. To
reach her call 732-0548
Doulas of Southern Oregon has a meeting on the third Tuesday of every month at
6:30pm at La Clinica Del Valle. There are inservice opportunities for Doulas, or
anyone interested in the topic. The following is a listing of scheduled inservice
topics for the next several meetings.
January 20, 1998 Perinatal Psychology
Monica Matos
February 17, 1998 The Effects of Fear Kelly Precie
March
17, 1998 Infant Massage Maria Mazhary
April 21, 1998 TBA TBA
May
19, 1998 Lactation Counseling Jane McClain
June 16, 1998 The Effects of Touch
Kelly Precie
If you are interested in joining Doulas of Southern Oregon, or would like
to know more about how to become a Doula, contact any of the names on this list and
they will be happy to assist you.