Choosing A Labor Support Person
Go with your gut about who you want at your birth. Homebirth and birth in general are very exciting events but your labor and birth will go most smoothly if you are surrounded by people who you are 100% comfortable with. Birth attendants could include family members, friends or a doula. Regardless, they should be comfortable with birth and able to give you as much or as little support as you need. Some women feel that birth is a deeply private event and choose to have only their partner and midwife present. Be honest with family and friends about how you feel and understand that your own comfort during labor should be your first priority.
Birth Doulas
A birth doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner. While she is often not a medical professional, she can offer a wide range of comfort measures during labor – from massage to aromatherapy to continuous reassurance and coping techniques. A listing of selected area Doulas is provided below.
When To Call Your Doula
If you have chosen a doula, have her contact information clearly available where multiple people can find it. While she should be available to you whenever you want her, you might have an agreed-upon idea about when in your labor you want to call her. For example, you might call her first when you start having labor-like contractions, and then ask her to come over once your contractions are regular and you can no longer talk through them.
Traveling Friends and Family
If relatives are traveling from long distances to come to your birth, it may be a good idea to have a back-up person (local friend or doula) as well. Labor is unpredictable, travel is stressful and it will put your mind at ease to know that no matter what, you will have the support you need.
DOULA LISTING:
GABRIELA AMMANN
TEL: 917.544.0656
www.birthright-doula.com
gabriela@birthright-doula.com
HEFTZIBA CHASE
TEL: 973.243.1753
CELL: 646.239.1703
hefme123@aol.com
ANGELIQUE CLARKE
TEL: 646.805.8474
www.angiedoesfeet.com
info@angiedoesfeet.com
CHANA FRYDMAN
BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS
TEL: 212.529.3964
birthjunkie@earthlink.net
NICOLE HEIDBREDER
TEL: 917.528.1855
www.gracefulfusion.com
nicole@gracefulfusion.com
SANDRA JAMROG
TEL: 212.866.8257
www.sandrajamrog.com
sandy@sandrajamrog.com
JENNIFER KROLL
TEL: 212.465.7545
doulasource@yahoo.com
WOMEN’S HEALING ARTS LILA YOGA
TEL: 212.254.2130
www.lilawellness.com
lilawellness@nyc.rr.com
KATE MAPLES
TEL: 917.691.6049
www.lovebirth.org
kate@lovebirth.org
DIERDRE McCLAREY
TEL: 845.353.3783
www.nycdoula.com
deirdre@nyackbirthservices.com
MONET MINDELL
TEL: 917.975.5921
www.monetdoula.com
monetdoula@aol.com
BRITT SADY, BABY MOON DOULAS
TEL: 646.489.8837
www.babymoondoulas.com
britt@babymoondoulas.com
JADA SHAPIRO, BIRTHDAY PRESENCE
TEL: 917.751.6579
doulas@birthdaypresence.net
www.birthdaypresence.net
LAUREN ZUMMO
TEL: 631.254.4749
TEL: 631.319.4351
METROPOLITAN DOULA SERVICES
see listing
POSTPARTUM DOULAS
DIANA ANTONELLI
TEL: 212.226.1254
ALEXIS WINTER
TEL: 718.909.1021
alexiswinter@nyc.rr.com