If you’re pregnant, you likely have some mixed feelings about birth. You may be looking forward to it (because you finally get to meet your little one!), but you also don’t really know what to expect during labour — and this might make you uneasy.
“How long will it last?”
“Will I be in a lot of pain?”
“Will I feel fully supported and taken care of?”
These feelings around birth are common. Just like pregnancy, labour experiences vary, as well as the levels of support needed. You have a team of healthcare providers to ensure that you and your baby are healthy throughout the process, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a support person who stays with you the entire birth, and takes care of your physical and emotional needs?
A doula can help with that!
Doula care involves 3 types of support:
- Physical: comfort measures to manage pain, including massage
- Emotional: a calm presence to keep you grounded, and empowerment for you and your partner (if you have one) to communicate with your healthcare team and advocate for your birth wishes
- Informational: education about labour, birth, and procedures, to help you make informed choices around pregnancy, birth and postpartum
As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, or replace your healthcare providers. I work alongside them to support you during labour, as well as before and after. I also do not replace your partner (if you have one) — in fact, I am present to support both of you, as you prepare to welcome your baby into the world.
My goal is to help you have a positive birth experience, in which you feel supported, empowered, and informed in your decision-making.
As a massage therapist, I am well equipped to provide you with extra physical support during labour, including massage therapy. If you have extended health insurance for RMT services, a portion of doula care fees may be eligible for coverage, as labour support is within the massage therapy scope of practice.
Book your complimentary consultation! We can discuss your needs in more detail, and how I can best support your birth.
**Please note that I am currently not providing doula services, but am happy to support you through your pregnancy and postpartum journey with massage therapy.**
Want a massage before you give birth? Check out my pregnancy massage services!