Do we let the birthing process happen naturally? What should be included in my birth plan? Should we be in a traditional hospital or take a more natural approach? While all of these questions are so relevant, each pregnancy and every birth is very different and unique. All you can do is go with that deep, intuitive mom-feeling when trying to plan for birth, not to mention making the 7 million other decisions as they grow up…am I right?? While some decisions are a piece of cake, others may seem unclear and overwhelming. Having a Doula is something that may help ease your mind, as well as provide clarity and guidance in making these current and future decisions.
If you would like resources to help you throughout the entire process, consider utilizing services of a Doula at Stork Helpers to be alongside you in your journey.
A Doula, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to you and your partner during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Based on a sample of over 15,000 women, “Research shows that women value and benefit from the presence of a support person during labor and childbirth. This support may include emotional support (continuous presence, reassurance, and praise) and information about labor progress. It may also include advice about coping techniques, comfort measures (comforting touch, massage, warm baths/showers, encouraging mobility, promoting adequate fluid intake and output), and speaking up when needed on behalf of the woman. Lack of continuous support during childbirth has led to concerns that the experience of labor and birth may have become dehumanized.”
Furthermore, “Modern obstetric care frequently means women are required to experience institutional routines. These may have adverse effects on the quality, outcomes, and experience of care during labor and childbirth. Supportive care during labor may enhance physiological labor processes, as well as women’s feelings of control and confidence in their own strength and ability to give birth. This may reduce the need for obstetric intervention and improve women’s experiences.” For more detailed information on this Research study visit https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483123/
If you are looking for a Doula in the Cincinnati or Dayton area, look no further, Stork Helpers has you covered.
The team at Stork Helpers provides services in everything from traditional hospital births, to home births, and even water births. The goal is always to be your support system and keep you confident and relaxed in your given situation. As your Doula, they are available 24/7/365 to give you peace of mind in knowing you have someone right by your side during this new and familiar or unfamiliar journey.
In addition to their support services, they offer a multitude of Childbirth Classes. Some of the topics include Relaxation Techniques, Positions during Childbirth, Delivery Methods, Feeding your Newborn, and Postpartum Life just to name a few.
Stork Helpers has received recognition by Expertise.com as Best Doulas in Dayton and Cincinnati for 2023.
“I have been a doula since 2018 have loved every minute! I believe that families have the right to know what all their options are – even ones that providers may not discuss. Whether you are birthing at home or a hospital, there are many options and with so many doctors and nurses in and out, you don’t typically have an established relationship with any of them. Having a doula helps provide families with support from the moment they find out they are pregnant to months into postpartum. We are there for as your doula, friend, confidant and the one you want to ask the questions to that you are sometimes embarrassed to ask your provider. We want every family to be able to write their own birth story, not have it written for them.” – Tamara Kankowski, Stork Helpers Founder and Doula
For more information you may visit https://www.storkhelpers.com/
Stay tuned for more awesome family resources around the Cincinnati and Dayton area! In the meantime, stop by my Maternity and Newborn photography portfolios to view more of my work, and contact me to set up a session!