I am the mother of two children and have been teaching yoga in our community for 5 years. In 2009, I completed training and began teaching prenatal yoga. I was introduced to yoga, myself through a prenatal class that I took while pregnant with my second child. Through my personal experience, as well as through my prenatal students, I have seen first hand the benefits of the relaxation techniques, physical support, and focus that are gained through yoga in pregnancy. I see service as a doula as the next step: supporting women physically and emotionally through childbirth and beyond.
What is a Doula?
As a birth doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I will offer emotional support, physical comfort and, as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
The role of a birth doula is to:
- Accompany a woman in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience
- Offer emotional support, physical comfort and ensure that you have the information needed to make informed decisions as issues arise
- Provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort
- Help expectant mothers & their partners remember that every birth experience is both unique and sacred, and “that it matters enormously how a baby comes into the world.”*
* quote from Vicki Chan & Nic Edmondstone
What to Expect
Before labor
I offer 1 free consultation/meeting where we can get to know each other. I encourage you to bring your husband or partner if you are not a single parent.
If you decide we are a good match and want to hire me, then we will have a pre-natal meeting at the location of your choice. This is where we will go over your birth plan and my role as your doula. We will explore and discuss your priorities, your hopes and any fears that you might have about the birth experience. I will also want to know you own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your partner foresee us working together.
I will be available by phone or email if you need me at any time and will be available 24/7 ten days prior to your due date, or until your deliver if you run past your due date. I do have a back-up doula in case of emergency.
During labor
Once your labor has begun, I will be by your side as soon as you need me. I request that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you are not ready for me to come. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. When you are ready, I could meet you at your house or the hospital. I will not leave your side until after your baby is born and will stay until you feel ready for me to leave. During labor I will help with physical and emotional support for both you and your partner.
After birth
I will remain with you until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together.
Once you are settled in, I will be available to answer questions about the birth or your baby and would like to get together within a couple of weeks to see how you and your baby are doing, to review the birth, and to get feedback from you about my role.
As a doula, I do not:
1. Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. I am there to provide physical comfort and emotional support.
2. Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan.
3. Speak to the staff on your behalf. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff.
For more information, visit www.sandhillsdoulas.com
Ashley Smithson and Amber Thomas completed DONA International’s Birth Doula Training in 2010. Together in the intention to EMPOWER, EDUCATE and ENCOURAGE women in our community, they are building Sandhills Doulas, Moore County’s team of birth doula support.
Sandhills Doulas in the news:
Testimonial:
January 2012
I have so much to say about my experience, but the bottom line is that you and Amber made my delivery become what I dreamed it could be. I was able to have childbirth with no epidural and I had the strength and belief that I could do it because of your encouragement and belief in me as well. I wouldn’t change anything about my delivery and that is a wonderful feeling to have after going through such a big event in your life. I believe that the pre-natal yoga classes I attended helped with my labor and improved my recovery time after the delivery. I didn’t do any pre-natal yoga classes with my first child and I could tell a complete difference between the two. The couples class that y’all offer was amazing. It gave my husband the knowledge and tools he needed to feel like he could help me through labor which is usually a time when most husbands don’t know what to offer to help their wife feel better. I was laboring at home with him for the first 5 hours and during that time, because of the workshop we attended with you and Amber he took me through the steps I needed to get through each contraction. Having a doula is the smartest decision I made when making plans for our baby’s arrival. He came a month early and I was prepared and confident that I could accomplish the goal I had for my delivery, which was all because of the knowledge and confidence I had been given from my 2 wonderful doula’s. Thank you Ashley and Amber for making my delivery become what I dreamed it could be and thank you for sharing in our special day!
Other Recommended Reading:
Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn 4th Edition by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, Ann Kepler, Janell Durham, and April Bolding
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper