What is a doula, and why should YOU hire one?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves".  In modern times, the word is used to refer to a trained, experienced professional who provides continuous support to the birthing person before, during and just after birth. In a nutshell, the doula delivers emotional support from home to hospital / birth center, eases the transition into the hospital environment, and serves as a labor coach and information source to the mother and her partner / family throughout the entire labor. She encourages self-advocacy, informed choice, and excellent communication between the mother and care providers. 

WHAT Exactly DOES A DOULA DO?

  • Realizes that birth is a key experience the mother will remember all her life

  • Understands the physiology of birth and the physical and emotional needs of the laboring mother

  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth

  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor

  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions

  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers

  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience

  • Encourages the woman's partner and/or family to participate at whatever level they are comfortable with

HOW CAN HAVING A DOULA AT YOUR BIRTH BENEFIT YOU?

Studies consistently demonstrate very impressive benefits for both mother and baby, including:

  • 50% fewer cesarean births

  • Reduction in the use of forceps / vacuum extraction by 40%

  • 60% fewer requests for epidurals

  • 40% reduction in the use of pitocin for inductions or augmentations

  • 30% reduction in use of pain medication

  • 25% reduction in the length of labor

  • Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum (51% vs 29%)

  • Higher self-esteem (74% vs 59%), less anxiety (28% vs 40%) and less depression (10% vs 23%) at 6 weeks postpartum

MY EXPERIENCE AS A DOULA:

I first start attending births in the early 1990's to provide extra support for my Bradley Method natural childbirth clients. Back then, the term "doula" wasn't commonly used where I was living at the time - we were often called "birth coaches" or "labor assistants.” However, despite the change in terminology, the role hasn't really changed all the much over the years. Fortunately, what I knew intuitively to be true - that having an extra support person present reduces the frequency of interventions and improves outcomes - has now been supported by multiple studies.  I have been to almost 450 births as a doula, and after all these years, I still consider it an honor and a true privilege for each and every time. If you'd like to set up a no pressure, no obligation phone call with me to answer all your questions and help you determine if hiring a doula might be right for you, and/or an in-person or Zoom interview with me to help us decide if we should work together, please email me at birth@lisahiguchi.com, or call/text me at 951.757.8154, and I’ll get back to you right away.


MY 2024-2025 AVAILABILITY:


NOVEMBER: FULL
DECEMBER: FULL
JANUARY: 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
FEBRUARY: 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
MARCH: FULL
APRIL: 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
MAY: 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
JUNE: 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE

MY FEES:

$1500
Discounts available for active duty military and first responders (Fire, EMS, law enforcement) and for virtual doula services. Payment plans are also available.