Happy Frog Yoga is proud to present:
Labor Doula Services
What is a doula?
Doula is a Greek word for Mother's helper. A doula is a trained and experienced individual who provides continuous emotional support throughout labor and delivery. Your Birth Assistant coaches husbands, partners, Moms, friends or other support persons and assists with an individualized plan for the family's childbirth preparation. Your doula strives for the family to have the most satisfying birth possible; as defined by the Mother to be. Often times your doula assists with coping mechanisms such as: comfort measures, relaxation methods, labor positions, and breathing patterns. Doula care has been studied extensively in scientific trials, and the results indicate improved physical and psychological outcomes for both mother and baby. Some studies found shorter labors, less use of oxytocin (pitocin), fewer cesareans, fewer deliveries using forceps and vacuum extractors, and fewer requests for pain medication in the women who had a doula, compared to those who did not. Doula care during birth has also been associated with better postpartum outcomes such as less postpartum depression; better assessments by the mother of her newborn's temperament, appearance, health, and competence; more successful breast feeding; and greater satisfaction with her birth experience. (P.Simkin and K. Way, "Doulas of North America ((DONA)) Position Paper: The Doula's Contribution to Modern Maternity Care, " DONA, Seattle [1998].) Labor Doula Pia Edmonds Long will attend several doctor appointments as well as provide childbirth education in preparation for her physical, emotional and spiritual guidance for you and your partner during your labor and delivery.
Pia Long was trained by DONA in 1999. She has attended many births and has references available upon request. She has also been trained by the Association Montessori International (AMI) for ages 0 to 3 also known as an Assistant to Infancy. This is an approach to educating infants in the Montessori way. In addition to this, she has guided and trained in a Primary (3-6) classroom since 1999. She received her Bachelor's in Science from the College of Wooster in Spanish with a minor in Chemistry. She is currently teaching Spanish and Yoga at the new Charleston Montessori School (www.charlestonmontessori.com) part-time and mothering her two daughters ages eleven and thirteen.
For more information, availability and pricing on Labor Doula services please call 304-741-2865 or e-mail pialea@hotmail.com.
A doula does not provide medical support, yet does work with your Midwife, OB/GYN or Family Practitioner during your labor.
