Doula Services

BIRTH SUPPORT- What is a doula?

Giving birth is one of the most powerful experiences of our lives as women.  It is a rite of passage.  What happens during this momentous event stays with us and can shape our ideas and feelings about our children, ourselves and our lives.

Because of my experience giving birth as an American woman in Brazil, I work as a birth doula for ex-pat women here in Brazil.

In a time that can be really confusing, in another country, language and culture, I provide continuous emotional, physical and mental support during the birth process and have a lot of fun doing it!

What exactly is a doula? A doula is a birth assistant who provides continuous emotional, physical and mental support to you, the mother, during the entire labor process.  That might look like offering you water, massaging your back, suggesting a change of positions, encouraging your partner to get closer to you, communicating your options clearly, helping you understand what stage of the labor process you are in.

How do I know how to choose a doula? The best way to choose a doula is to listen to your intuition. Of course you can ask questions about how many births she has attended, and rates may be an issue, but the most important factor is that it is someone who you like, trust and want to spend time with in this very important moment. Go with your gut.

Do I really need a doula? You have probably been in Brazil long enough to know statistics-  upwards of 80% of women in Brazil have Cesarean births. The recommended rate by the World Heatlh Organization is between 6-10%.  In private hospitals, the rates are near 100%.  Because of the Cesarean culture, it is critical that you advocate for yourself and choose the best team possible. A birth doula can be an extremely helpful part of the team, encouraging and guiding your partner in how to be involved, giving you an added moment to consider suggested interventions, offering you pain-relieving alternatives.

What if I already know that I want an epidural? A doula’s job is not to persuade you or direct your experience. A doula’s job is to support you in eliciting your own voice and to give you information so that you can make informed decisions.

What if I change my mind about pain relief during labor? We will have at least two pre-birth visits during which we talk a lot about your vision for the birth. The important factor is that you feel that your wishes are respected, communicated and heard. The doula’s job is to facilitate that communication. Plus we will have a secret code word.

How involved will the doula be in my prenatal care? A doula is NOT a medical professional.  Your prenatal care will be conducted by your doctor or midwife. If you would like me to meet either of your care providers before the birth, that can be arranged. We normally meet twice before the birth.

Is a doula the same thing as a midwife? NO. A midwife has training in childbirth. The majority of midwives here in Brazil are obstetric nurses in addition to being midwives.

Why would I work with Kimberly? My own direct experience giving birth out of my country is what has led me to understand that it is imperative that a woman have someone from her own culture who speaks her language present to support her during the birth. I have a plethora of resources for everything from obstreticians to prenatal massage to homeopathic pediatricians. I am open to supporting you in having the best birth experience possible.  **With Brazil’s astronomical Cesarean rates, it is essential that you choose the right team so that you can have the borth outcome you want.

But first let’s talk on the phone- I offer a free 20 minute phone consult so that we can see if it will be a good fit.