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What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

Where does the word “doula” come from?
The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant.” Throughout history and in much of the world today, a cadre of women support a woman through labor and birth, giving back rubs and providing continuous emotional support. Like their historical counterparts, DONA International birth doulas know how to help a woman in labor feel better. However, today’s doulas are much more diverse than their predecessors. DONA International membership includes men and women from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

- tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications

- reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience

- reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction

- reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans

What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?
When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression.

What effects do the presence of doulas have on babies?
Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.

How do doulas practice?
Doulas practice in three ways: privately hired directly by clients,
as hospital employees, and as volunteers in community or hospital programs.

Does a doula replace nursing staff?
No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.

Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting a woman’s decisions.

Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?
No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.

So like many, I just absoultely love Target. They have a diverse creative selection of lifestyle and healthy living products (a good selection of eco-products). This Kiddopotamus & Co. Organic Cotton SwaddleSet with Cap and Mesh Bag is only 31.99. The 3 piece Set includes Instructional Booklet, Night Cap, Wearable Blanket. It is made from 100% OCIA Certified Organic Cotton and can be Tumble Dryed, Machine Wash Warm

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The Green Doula is blog focusing on holistic pregnancy, birth, health and lifestyle. The Green Doula is the baby blog for Verte, a holistic lifestyle studio based in New York City. Verte’s principal director and the Green Doula, Danelle Marqui Brown is a DONA Trained Labor Doula. The mission of this blog is not only to connect women, mothers to be, and mothers, but as well help inform and inspire those who are seeking a holistic, sustainable and/or green lifestyle.

As the principal director for Verte, Danelle Marqui Brown is an unique & dynamic creative mind, producer, environmental & humanitarian activist. Danelle Marqui devotes her full attention to Verte and making a positive difference whenever she can. It is her goal and mission to empower individuals, businesses, and organizations through education, design, and innovation.

A new screening test called AmniScreen™ was recently announced as a kit intended to detect possible leakage of amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Nancy Jasper, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of OB/GYN, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeon told the NYT that the new FDA approved AmniScreen(TM) “may offer reassurance to women concerned about unexplained vaginal wetness during pregnancy”. The test consists of a panty liner which measures the pH level of any fluids released. This liner is to then be shown to the women’s health care provider to learn the results.
This seems to be a great non-invasive way to check for unexplained leakage. Amniotic fluid leakage (ruptured membranes) can increase the risk of infection to both you and your baby because it provides a way for bacteria to enter the amniotic sac and potentially cause an infection.

Who would have necessarily thought that Strollers and Organic Skincare went hand in hand? UK based Maclaren, manufacturer of popular strollers, recently launched Beginning, an organic skincare line for baby and mother. Some of the products in the collection are certified by the Soil Association Organic Standard. The products are dermatologically tested and are safe for new borns. From facial mist to belly balm to dusting powder, the Beginning collection appears to be quite unique for the market. These products are not recommended to mothers in your first trimester. If you want to test out these products for yourself, visit the Flagship Showroom in Soho