Thursday, April 22, 2010

Portrait of a Doula

'A Doula's Portrait'
9 x 12 inches. Mixed media on Paper. (c) 2010.

This is a painting of Sue O'Malley, our birth doula and our newborn. I've often been asked what a doula is and why we used one.

Doulas provide support during pre-natal and actual childbirth, as well as postpartum care. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate tests or exams that doctors and midwives do. Rather, they use massage, positioning suggestions, emotional support, etc., to help labor to progress as well as possible.

Having a doula allowed us to have a completely natural birth. My husband and I were able to focus on the birth without having to worry about any interventions or interruptions that might have taken our attention away.

If you're expecting a child, I highly recommend considering hiring a doula to help you prepare for your 'birth day'.

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