• Pregnancy and Childbirth Resources (Suggested Reading, Questions to Ask your Doctor or Midwife...and more!
  

• Postpartum Doula Support

• Becoming a Professional Labor Companion-Click Here for Childbirth Assistant Training Information

"Doula" is a word derived from The Greek meaning "woman servant". In all cultures, from the dawn of time, women have been assisted by other women in childbirth. When one looks at birth art and artifacts from around the world, we see the mother supported in an upright position (standing, hanging, kneeling or squatting) with a helper behind to lean on, and a helper at her feet. This points towards a human way of birth, and can be called "the classic pose."

The woman at the birthing woman's feet was The Midwife, who caught the baby as s/he emerged from his/her mother's body.

The person standing behind or beside the mother was the midwife's and the mother's helper--an auntie, a sister, a grandmother, or a neighbor. She is now known as "The Doula"; a professional labor companion who serves women during labor and birth, providing physical comfort, emotional support and advocates for the woman's needs to the hospital staff.

"Doula", "Childbirth Assistant","Labor Assistant", "Labor Companion", "Birth Partner", "Birth Sister", by any name, she is invaluable to the birthing woman.The Labor Companion/Doula works collaboratively with the woman's partner and her medical team to help the woman reach her birthing goals. Don't give birth without one of these special women by your side!

What Are the Differences between Doulas and Midwives?

The Midwife is responsible for the safety of mother and child. She has extensive training and provides prenatal care, labor and delivery management, and postpartum care as well as family planning services. She may also offer labor support, but her primary role is to ensure the safe passage of woman and baby. A midwife is primary care practitioner, on the level of a Physician's Assistant, or Nurse-Practitioner, who is qualified to provide care in collaboration with a consulting physician. For more information about midwives, go to: Pathways into Midwifery

The Doula on the other hand, provides emotional support, physical comfort and advocacy to clients. She does not make medical decisions or perform clinical skills, unless she is working in the capacity of a Birth Assistant or "Monitrice" (a term coined by French Obstetrician Fredrick Leboyer to mean a nurse who provided some medical assessments of mother and baby), under the supervision of the physician or midwife.

Results of Labor Support

Several studies have shown that women who are attended by Doulas have:

* Shorter Labors
* Less Pain Medication
* Fewer Medical Procedures
* Decreased Rates of Cesearean Sections
* Decreased Augmentation of Labor with Oxytocin
* Increased Satisfaction with their Birth Experience
* Better Infant-Mother Interaction
* Increased Breastfeeding Success
* Decreased Postpartum Depression

Doulas of North America

The Pasadena Public Health Department Black Infant Health Program Caring Companions:

Referrals to volunteer doulas who offer free labor support services to low-income women who have Medi-Cal and live in Los Angeles County. Call 626-744-6093 or email: channa@cityofpasadena.net for a list of doulas. Volunteers are needed! Trained doulas of African descent and Spanish speaking Doulas encouraged to apply, though all ethnicities are welcome.

San Fernando Valley, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Westlake Village

Alisha Tamburri, CCHT, MH
Birth Doula (ALACE)
Certified HypnoBirthing® Instructor
Hypnotherapist
ClearMind Hypnotherapy
(818) 775-1868
URL: clearmindhypnotheraphy.com

E-mail: atamburri@clearmindhypnotheraphy.com

Alisha Tamburri is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, birth doula and HypnoBirthing® instructor.HypnoBirthing® is a complete Childbirth Education course which prepares the mother and her birth companion for pregnancy, birth and parenthood. HypnoBirthing® helps release conscious and subconscious fears. When the mind and body are relaxed birthing does not need to hurt! Alisha gave birth blissfully; pain free, drug free, to her daughters using hypnosis.

Alisha has helped hundreds of couples experience fearless births. The class is taught in a comfortable fun environment. Alisha's involvement in HypnoBirthing® has been featured in numerous publications and TV shows. Alisha Tamburri CCHT, MH, has also been helping clients turn breech babies, get rid of panic attacks, reduce pain, quit smoking, lose weight and overcome other personal obstacles for over 20 years.