Frequently Asked Questions

Photo of Clients at Resource Birth.

What is a doula?

A doula is a woman who provides emotional and informational support, physical comfort, and an outside perspective during childbirth. Doulas are knowledgable about the physiological processes of birth and are informed about the various technologies presently being used in hospitals.A doula's job is to support expectant parents in prenatal preparations for their birth so parents can make their own best decisions.  She provides continuous support throughout labor, nurturing, protecting and comforting the woman and her partner through their experience.  She serves as an advocate by facilitating communication between the laboring woman, her partner and their careprovider(s). Read about our Doula service here.

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Studies on the presence of a doula throughout labor have shown

50% decrease in cesarean sections
25% decrease in the length of labor
30% decrease in use of forceps
40% decrease in use of oxytocin (pitocin)
60% decrease in use of epidurals
30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics)

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Long term benefits of labor support include:

Improved Breastfeeding         
Decreased Postpartum Depression
Greater Maternal Satisfaction

Statistics from Mothering the Mother, Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed., C.S.W., 1993

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What Doulas Do

    • Offer guidance for communicating with your doctor or midwife
    • Provide guidance and support for the father or partner
    • Offer knowledge on positions that are helpful for coping with labor and supporting ideal positioning for baby's birth
    • Is a single, consistent person who will be with your throughout your labor, birth, and immediate postpartum
    • Assists you in understanding medical terminology

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My husband/partner is very supportive and we want to share the childbirth experience with each other;
won't a doula interfere with that?

Not at all.  In fact, couples usually feel that the presence of a doula allowed the partner to be even more involved.  Doulas are there to support both of you through the birth of your child.  A doula can help your partner with how to touch you during labor, or may make sure that he or she is staying hydrated and well fed while he or she supports you.  Partners often find that watching their loved one in the midst of an intense experience can be overwhelming and the presence of a doula can help to remind them what is normal and when there is no need for concern.  Oftentimes a doula can massage the mother-to-be's back while her partner holds her hand and looks her in the eye.  And when privacy is needed, a doula is happy to step out of the room and give you both some time alone together.

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I have hired a doula, why would I need labor massage?

While most doulas do offer comforting touch during labor, many are not extensively trained as massage therapists.  Jessica's extensive training and practice in massage, combined with her years of experience as a doula, allow her to fully understand what is happening in your body and how to best use therapeutic touch to evoke relaxation or comfort.
Additionally, many women begin labor in the evening/night after a long day without sleep.  Early labor massage can help the mother get some needed rest before what may be long hours of hard work, before her doula arrives. 

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Are doulas for women who want to have a natural birth, because I may want an epidural?

Doulas are for any woman having a baby, whether it is a natural homebirth or a scheduled cesarean or anything in between.  A doula is there to support you in the birth that you want.  If you are wanting to have an epidural, among other things, a doula may be helpful for you prenatally for discussing when might be the best time for you to get an epidural and how you want to make that decision.

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What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

While a midwife provides clinical and diagnostic care of both mother and baby, a doula is a support person for the mother and her partner.  Doulas do not diagnose or give medical advice; they do not listen to the baby's heart rate or do vaginal exams.  A doula is an outside person who is available for emotional, physical and informational support of the mother and her partner.  While always interested in the well being of both mother and baby, she does not determine what will create that, but rather informs you of your choices, ensures you understand what is happening, and supports you through the experience you want.

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Is massage a luxury for relaxation?

It is much more than that.  In fact, in many cultures around the world, massage is a regular part of health care and well care.  Massage can provide relaxation but it can also be an excellent remedy for chronic pain, be extremely helpful for preventing issues in the future, and for enhancing your overall sense of health, well-being, comfort, connection to your body and baby, and ability to adjust to the changes you are experiencing.

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I am having a lot of discomfort during my pregnancy.  Can massage help?

Yes.  The hormonal shifts and rapid changes that take place during pregnancy sometimes cause discomfort for women.  Massage can help melt away patterns of discomfort and ease experiences of stress.  Sessions can sometimes be spent on positioning to help you find comfortable ways to sleep, sit at your desk, and generally move about in your life with your new and changing body.

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How are your massage and somatic therapy sessions different from the typical Swedish, deep-tissue or prenatal massage?

Swedish and prenatal massages tend to focus on an all over rub-down to relax you, and deep-tissue tends to focus on very specific areas and applying strong pressure to force those areas to release.  Jessica's massage and somatic sessions take the time to communicate with the client, allowing her to understand the broader picture of the body, the person's experience, and the context so that she can more fully meet the individual's needs.  This sometimes means focusing on specific areas that may be gateways for integrating the whole body, or it may mean connecting with broader areas of the body.  Regardless who how broad or specific her touch may be, she is always carefully listening to person and the tissues of their body making sure to allow both time and space for the whole organism of person to respond to her touch.  And Jessica believes that by making space for the client's own awareness and participation in a session, their system is able to continue to unfold itself even after the session has ended.

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Is Movement into Birth an exercise class?

While you will not break into a sweat and become out of breath during a class, you will be finding internal resources for strength and endurance that you have probably never found before.  It is an overall health, well-being, and awareness class.

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How are Movement into Birth classes different from prenatal yoga classes?

Movement into Birth focuses on creating a familiar community through the four week series and most of all on discovering the movement that is innately within your own individual body, rather than an outsider telling you how you should move.  In addition, most yoga classes do not include sound as Movement into Birth does.  By incorporating sound vibrations we enhance the adaptability of the body by tapping into the fluid system.

Is massage safe prenatally and in the first weeks after giving birth?

Many people do not realize that not only is massage safe prenatally and in the immediate postnatal period, it is extremely beneficial. Regular massage throughout pregnancy supports comfort through rapid changes, helps the mother's body maintain alignment and which in turn helps the baby to be in an ideal position. Regular massage and bodywork in the last few weeks appears to significantly help labor progress smoothly and to begin in the time frame comfortable for medical practitioners.

Massage in the immediate postnatal period is enormously beneficial as the new mom recovers from the huge changes that took place during birth, and are continuing to take place with her milk coming in, short spans of sleep and adjustment to breastfeeding and caring for a newborn. It is never too early to have a massage after giving birth.

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