Sheridan and Deanna, less than 2 hours before Maya was born.
Birth Doula

Having a Doula can give you extra support during your birthing time, no matter what type of birth you are planning. 

The Advantage of having a Doula.

Studies have shown the following benefits of having a doula present at birth:

Women who have used a doula at birth are more satisfied with their births, feel more confident before and after the birth, show a quicker rate of bonding with their newborn, are less likely to have post-partum depression, and more likely to breastfeed.

Having a doula is a wonderful way to help you have an enjoyable birth.  Doulas can assist moms in any birthing situation, from moms who want an un-medicated birth, moms who plan on epidurals to moms with planned cesarean births.  We do have a special affinity for assisting VBAC moms.  What do doula's do exactly?  We provide support to a mother and her family during her birth.  We do this in many different ways... 

Resource for Comfort Measures:  Having a doula is like having your very own talking birthing guide. Doulas not only know what helps during birth, they also know what helps and how to do it. Your doula can either perform these comfort measures herself, or help your family or friends to support you with comfort measures. Your birth partners will feel more confident knowing that they are doing the right thing.

Constant Encourager: A doula not only encourages the mother to keep going, but she encourages the labor support to keep going as well. The process of labor can sometimes be long.  A doula can keep you and your partner focused during the most intense part of labor.

Helps Explain Options:  A doula is also a source of information about ways to handle your birth. Medical attendants don't always have time to get into all the options available, and rarely give all the risks and benefits for the options they do give. A doula can help you understand what options are available, and what the pros and cons are. This can help you make better informed decisions.

Enjoy Birth also has 3 trained Hypno-doula's to serve hypno-mom's.  For other trained Hypno-doula's in the area click here. 

Click here for additional information on:

Enjoy Birth Doula Services

Alison was my doula (here we are right after Bryson's birth.) 

We are now partners offering Doula services to all women in Orange county, including Hypnobabies students.   

Testimonials

Example of our Letter of Agreement Describing Labor Support Services, Limits, and Fees

Enjoy Birth Doula's provide:

* a Free Consultation

* One or Two prenatal visits in your home

* An option of an accompaniment to one of your Dr's visit

* Assistance in preparing your birth plan

* Lending library of books and video tapes on childbirth and breastfeeding

* On-call availability for questions or concerns

* Continuous support during your birthing experience

* Initial breastfeeding support

* One post-partum visit

* A written Birth Story

 Local Trained Hypno-doulas. 

Sheridan Ripley

Alison Bennett

Cindy Smith

Marge Cunningham

Carole Thorpe

MaryAnn Vaughn