Issue 87, March/April 1998
We located our doula, Lori, through a birthing center. I was aware of Doulas of North America and found out that she is a member, so I telephoned her to see if we were "a match" before Paul and I met with her in person. From our first conversation, I knew
that she would be the one to help us through our big event. She provided us with specific information regarding her services, along with a portfolio containing a job description and a contract outlining our agreement for services and fees. The contract included unlimited prenatal consultations, early labor and delivery support, transportation to the birth site, continuous care until two hours postbirth, lactation assistance, and postpartum care. The orientation packet also contained information on nonmedical support techniques for labor and birth, inducing exercise, acupressure, massage, aromatherapy, herbal therapy, color therapy, and use of a birthing ball--a large gymnastic ball for sitting or rocking. This was my favorite birthing tool, as it helped immensely with the incredible back labor I endured.A three-hour consultation with Lori and her partner followed this first meeting. We discussed my needs for labor support and began to formulate a birth plan that, when complete, would be duplicated and distributed to any medical personnel we would potentially come in contact with at the birth. Having this plan in hand would enable us to focus on the birth, rather than having to be concerned about conveying our wishes to people we hadn't met. This became one of our most beneficial exercises, especially when we unexpectedly found ourselves in the hospital on the night before the birth.
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Mandy-Saint Louis Doula
