CHILDBIRTH KINGSTON
wHAT IS A dOULA?
Since you are here, you probably know the basic answer to "what is a doula?", but not everyone understands what exactly it is that we do. While Doulas are there to provide support to the birthing person and team, we are also there to ensure that labor is safe, a little easier and sometimes faster! This can be attributed to the continual emotional, physical and informational support that we provide during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Did you know a Doula can...?
- Decrease your risk of an unplanned Cesearen birth by 39%
- Increase your chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%
- Decrease the need for medicinal pain relief by 10%
- Shorten the length of your overall labour
- Decrease the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score by 38%
- Increase your chances of feeling satisfied and empowered by your birth.
If a doula were a drug,
it would be unethical
not to have one.
- Dr. John Kennel
What is different about CBK DOULAS?
Did you know that you don't need any specific training to call yourself a Doula? A Doula is someone who is passionate about helping people through specific transitions in their lives. There are Birth Doulas, Postpartum Doulas, Fertility Doulas, Loss Doulas, Termination Doulas and even Death Doulas! A Doula is someone who serves, and this role is filled with people who bring empathy, compassion, knowledge and solidarity into these spaces.
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While Knowledge is just one part of being a Doula, we believe it is a VERY important part. It gives us credibility in the birth space and works towards the goal of Doulas becoming default members of all birth teams! To that end, our CBK Doulas have a set level of training and standards that must be achieved before taking on clients. We are constantly engaging in new learning opportunities and work to keep up to date on the latest research, evidence and best practices.
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"Birth is not only about making babies. It is also about making parents. Strong, competent, capable parents who trust themselves and their inner strength."
- Barbara Katz Rothman
“Birth Doulaing - The act of educating, loving, respecting, listening, embracing, advocating for, and assisting a person prenatally during labour, childbirth and after”