Compassionate doula care in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, our doula services team seeks to support women before, during and after birth. Customized to the needs of the mom and her family, we help create birth plans that involve a woman's voice and give her the confidence to voice her needs.
Families have an opportunity to meet our doula team during our monthly "doula teas." If you are interested in having a doula support you during your pregnancy, please call (603) 559-4172.
What is a doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves." It is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous education and physical and emotional support to the mother before, during and right after birth. A doula can also provide emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and babies breastfeed more easily.
Doula services
As a vital member of the team, a birth doula from Portsmouth's Seacoast Family Care Services can help the mother by:
- Preparing the mother and partner for the birth experience, carrying out the birth plan
- Recognizing birth is a key experience that a mother will remember the rest of her life
- Providing emotional support and physical comfort measures during labor and delivery
- Providing non-medical pain and stress management tools including massage, mindful breathing and visualization
No matter how you choose to bring your baby into the world, our doulas are able to support you and ensure a healthy, safe experience. Our doulas offer support during prenatal care, Cesarean sections (c-sections) and vaginal labor and delivery.
Family Care
You and your labor partner will have one prenatal visit with your doula. This will allow you, your partner and your doula to discuss any plans that you may have for your stay in the hospital.
Your doula will attend your labor and birth, visit you in recovery and offer a postpartum visit while you are at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. This allows you to have your doula support your birth plan as well as your plans for the postpartum period, including feeding methods and discharge planning.
Insurance companies may reimburse for doula services. Call your insurance company to inquire.
Your doula meets you in the hospital during the admission process and accompanies you to the operating room. After your baby is born, your doula helps to facilitate skin-to-skin contact in the operating room as long as your baby is healthy after birth. Your doula will then go back to your room while you recover and continue to support you and your new family.
Labor and Delivery
Your doula will arrive for labor.
Scheduled C-Section
Mothers who know they will be delivering by C-section may benefit from using a doula to ensure that your experience is just as rewarding as a vaginal birth. Your doula will meet you in the hospital during the admission process and will accompany you into the operating room for the delivery once you are in active labor. Your doula stays with you for your entire labor and delivery, including the two hours of recovery following your child's birth. During this time, your doula will assist in maintaining your comfort as well as facilitating skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.