What exactly is a Doula?

A Doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and educational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, safest, most satisfying, most memorable and most empowering experience possible.
 

What does a Doula do?

A doula nurtures, accompanies, supports and offers expert guidance to families during pregnancy, birth and early postpartum period. Doulas do not provide medical care, however, they are knowledgeable in the medical aspects of the birthing process and are able to answer questions regarding different interventions and possible complications. Doulas provide advocacy and amplify the mother’s desires making sure they are heard, respected and honored. During birth, Doulas offer emotional support and physical comfort measures to take the edge off of the intensity of labor such as making contractions more bearable in order to make the birthing experience safe, pleasant, and empowering.
 

What are the benefits of working with a Doula?

There is exceptional evidence that shows how birth doulas tremendously improve birthing outcomes. According to the Cochrane Library database, 27 clinical trials were reviewed including 15,858 women from 17 different countries, and the results show that having a doula present at a birth yields a 51% reduction in cesarean births, 25% reduction in the length of labor, 35% reduction of the use of pain medications, 71% reduction in the use of pitocin, and a 57% reduction in the use of forceps/vacuum. Having a doula at birth has shown to result in shorter hospital stays for babies, breastfeeding more easily, faster mother/child bonding, mothers feeling greater satisfaction with childbirth, decreased postpartum depression, and an overall increase in self-confidence.

Helpful Links:

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23076901/

Our Doula-Client Relationship

Most Doula-Client relationships begin sometime during pregnancy. I recommend that you contact me around 20-30 weeks into your pregnancy, however you are welcome to reach out any time (there is always a chance I may be able to take a last minute birthing client). I generally do an initial video-call interview in which we discuss your needs, wants, priorities, concerns and get a feel of how we might best work together. Once you hire me, I typically make one - two home visits to meet with you - the birthing mother, your birthing partner and the rest of the birthing support team (family, friends, midwife if it’s a home birth, etc). This is the opportunity for you to ask questions, express your concerns and work through whatever fears you may have. This is also the time that we can create a birth plan together or go over and tweak your existing birth plan. This is the time to discuss the role of the birthing partner as well. Would he/she like to be present in the room? Would he/she like to be involved and be hands-on? If you and your birthing partner both agree that the partner wants to be and is welcomed being hands-on, I demonstrate some comfort measures for the birthing partner to apply during labor such that at the birth wouldn’t be the first exposure. I make myself available via phone during the remainder of your pregnancy to answer any questions that may arise. One of my goals as your Doula is to support you in making informed and empowered decisions regarding your birth and do my best to provide you with all of the information you need to do so.

 

When you suspect that labor has begun, you should contact me immediately (even if you don’t feel that you need me quite yet). I will be able to answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We would also decide whether I should come right away or we should wait for your labor to progress further. Keep in mind that I generally need 1-2 hours to get to you. Depending on how fast your labor is progressing, I would either meet you at your house or at the hospital or birthing center. Once I arrive at the agreed upon destination, I will be there to support you throughout your entire birthing process. I can also stay with you and offer support for a few hours after your baby is born, until you are ready for some rest and quiet time with your family. During labor I provide you and your partner with encouragement and perspective. I make suggestions on how to progress labor faster by using massage techniques, helping with positioning, implementing relaxation techniques, and possibly using acupuncture if needed. As a Doula I work exclusively for you (not the hospital nor the caregiver) and advocate on your behalf to make sure you have the best possible birth.
 

After the baby is born, I typically make two postpartum visits to your home. The first being within the first week after birth and the second when the baby is between four and eight weeks old. The first visit is to check up on you and see how you are doing, reflect on the birth, and of course marvel at your child. The second visit I will also check in to see how are you doing postpartum, check in with how your baby is thriving, and offer you any support that you may need at that moment. During this time, I am still available via phone to answer questions and provide guidance. Should something arise that I cannot personally support you with, I have a vast network of health/wellness/social services/psychotherapy professionals that I can refer you to in order to make sure you get the best quality care.

What’s special about Cataleya Wellness Doula?

 

In addition to being a DONA certified Doula, Yelena Binder, the proprietor of Cataleya Wellness is a NYS Licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist. She is also a mother of two small children ages three and a half and 22 months. Her oldest was born in a hospital and her youngest was an unmedicated home water-birth. Having experienced the birthing process both as a mother and as a caregiver gives Yelena a broader perspective and deeper understanding of what the birthing mother needs in terms of comfort, reassurance, and support. Having experienced both a hospital birth and a home birth Yelena is very familiar with the nuances, intricacies, challenges and advantages of each environment and can support you at her best in whichever environment you decide is right for you. Yelena has also obtained training in acupuncture in labor and delivery at Lutheran Hospital and can use her skills in a home, birthing center or hospital setting to help with pain management, relaxation, increased energy, and to regulate contractions.

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What are the benefits of Prenatal and Postnatal Massage and Acupuncture?

Prenatal massage is a great tool to eliminate common aches and pains that women experience during pregnancy as the result of carrying additional weight and the expansion of the pelvic girdle to accommodate the growing baby. I recommend one to two prenatal massages per month in the first trimester. During the second and third trimesters (up to 36 weeks) I recommend bi-weekly prenatal massages to prevent and treat common issues such as lower back pain, hip pain, swelling in the extremities, sciatica, and pregnancy carpal tunnel. In the last month of pregnancy (36 weeks and on) I recommend weekly massages as this is the time women tend to be most uncomfortable due to weight gain, aches and pains, swelling, and baby dropping. This is also when we begin to stimulate points that start preparing the body for a healthy labor. Acupuncture can be used interchangeably with massage therapy during pregnancy, however there are instances for which acupuncture works much better. For example, acupuncture and moxibustion has great success in turning breech babies. Acupuncture is also great at promoting the onset of labor and can assist in avoiding getting chemically induced. How soon after birth is best to get a massage and/or acupuncture? It depends on the type of delivery you had and on your recovery. I have had clients schedule a massage session just 7 days after having had a vaginal delivery. Receiving a massage so shortly after delivery helps relieve residual swelling after birth, especially if an IV and an epidural
were used. A massage can help to relieve muscle tension from the new postural challenges posed by breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding a new baby around the clock and in awkward positions. If you decide to schedule a massage shortly after giving birth, please be sure to either nurse or pump beforehand so that you are more comfortable. If you birthed via C-section, it is best to wait until you receive a greenlight from your doctor before scheduling a session unless the concern is mainly due to outside stitches. If so, we could put you in a side-lying position to avoid any contact or disturbance to the stitches. In addition to helping with aches and pains, acupuncture can help promote and boost milk production if the birthing mother is struggling with lactation. Acupuncture, cupping and herbs are great at treating blocked ducts and mastitis in addition to replenishing the body’s Qi (vital energy), blood and essence that was used up during the birthing process.

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Prices and Packages

Birth Doula Services - $1,500

-  This includes 1-2 prenatal visits, labor and delivery, 1-2 postnatal visits.
-  Massage and acupuncture during labor and delivery is included in this price.
 

Birth Doula Services plus Massage/Acupuncture Packages

- Doula service plus a total of 8 massage or acupuncture sessions that can be used
   during pregnancy and up to 3 months postpartum - $2,500
- Doula Service plus 20 massage or acupuncture sessions that can be used during

   pregnancy and up to 6 months postpartum - $3,500