Why Get A Doula — Birth Sherpa • Janet Harding • Certified Doula

What is a doula?

A guide. Just like a knowledgeable, skilled and well-equipped Sherpa of Tibet guides climbers through unfamiliar terrain and conditions to the summit of Mt. Everest, a Doula guides and supports you through one of the most memorable experiences of your life. My knowledge, experience and skill will help you feel empowered and confident about your birth experience.

Why hire A Doula?

A California study showed that women who have the support of a doula were more likely to feel positive about their birth experiences (82.5 %) than women who did not have the benefit of support (67.4%).
A doula can offer helpful suggestions on ways to cope with the labour when you’ve run out of coping skills.
A doula is there throughout the entire duration of your labour. She remains constant support, through hospital shift changes.
She frees your partner to focus on your emotional support. Her presence allows them to take a food or bathroom break.
A doula can help reduce the likelihood that you will require an epidural. A study found that 7.8% of women using doulas requested an epidural as compared to 55.3% of women labouring without a doula.*
A study in Africa found that a doula can help breastfeeding get off to the best possible start.
A doula can give you on the spot reassurance when you need it and can help answer questions and concerns.
A doula can help you advocate for yourself with hospital staff and ensure your voice is heard.

*Conducted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio

PARTNERS AND DOULAS

You may wonder if it’s necessary to have a doula when you go into labour if you have your partner. A doula is there for your partner as well! Think of this journey as climbing Mt. Everest. You’ve spent months (sometimes years), planning this adventure. You have trained your body and mind for the climb. You’ve practiced breathing and positioning. You’ve educated yourselves on what can be expected on the ascent. You hire a skilled sherpa or guide, who you trust knows the best routes to take under different conditions and knows how to deal with unpredictable circumstances.

As your sherpa, or doula, I have the skills and experience to guide you through some unpredictable routes and conditions. I will:

Combine my knowledge about birth, hospitals, comfort measures and primary care with your partner’s knowledge of your personality, likes, dislikes, and needs. The combination, along with competent health care providers gives you the best chance of an optimal outcome.
Ensure that you and your partner’s decisions are acknowledged and followed as much as possible.
Help your partner to participate as much as they are comfortable with.
Give them a break if they need to rest or recharge.
Ensure that you and your partner’s decisions are acknowledged and followed as much as possible, though I do not make decisions for you.

Birth Stories

“Janet was great at providing a down-to-earth perspective on what to expect during the birth of our son. She answered all our questions and provided information I never could have imagined (as a new dad). She gave ideas on how best to support my wife before, during and after the delivery. It was helpful to learn what to take to the hospital, learn different breathing exercises, and what to expect at the hospital (birthing practices). She kept things fun, and made me feel I had an important role. The classes helped me feel more prepared, calm, and confident as my wife went into labour. I will recommend Janet to friends who will likely have children in the future.”

— CHAD, PARTNER

“My husband and I took prenatal classes from Janet via video call during the pandemic, when resources for expectant parents were limited. The classes were broken up into 1-hour sessions over several weeks. Janet’s personalized approach helped us both feel more prepared for childbirth, including potential vaginal birth, induction, or c-section delivery. Janet suggested tools like an exercise ball, resource books with breathing techniques and labour positions, and pelvic floor physiotherapy, all of which were very helpful.

She taught us what to expect in the different stages of labour and specified ways my husband could help coach and support me. She even helped us plan what to include in our hospital bag. The prenatal classes’ true value was put to the test when I was induced. Labour progressed from slight cramping to active labour in a very short period of time, and the hospital ran out of supplies for laughing gas. Thankfully, Janet’s lessons gave us knowledge and confidence to be able to advocate for ourselves at a stressful time.

Janet’s passion, knowledge, personality, and life experience make her a wonderful doula and we eagerly recommend her!”

— VANESSA

“Janet was a life saver at the home birth of our son. I felt nervous at the thought of my wife having a home water birth, but Janet dispelled many of my fears & worries. She met with us & taught me specific things I could do physically & emotionally to support my wife. Everything that I did when my wife went into labor were things I learned from Janet, & she was there to do the things I forgot! I truly feel that having her there helped the labor & birth go more smoothly.”

— BRIAN

“Being a first-time mom I was very grateful to have Janet as my Doula. Starting at 5 months I began struggling with hip pain. Janet would come over once a week to help me and my husband with exercises to reduce the pain and prepare for labour. During labour she was very attentive and observant to all of my body gestures. She helped me with breathing and staying calm during labour. She was a big, big help in keeping me focused throughout the process of delivery and cheering me on the whole time.

The whole experience/process of pregnancy, labour and delivery are very nerve wracking and scary but having someone like Janet who helped, prepared and educate me with the process made the experience less more scary and more meaningful. I was able to cherish my labour and delivery because I was prepared and and got lots of support.”

— JHEZ, HOSPITAL BIRTH

“I had my daughter in April 2020, near the beginning of the pandemic. As such she has only been watched by her father and myself, she can be a little shy around new people. I have also struggled with post partum depression and have felt very isolated and without help. I am so grateful Janet was able to assist us in post pardum care. She navigated my daughters shyness beautifully. And she aided my understanding of PPD and supports that are available to me. Janet is a bright light and an uplifting individual to be around.”

— LEAH

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had Janet as my doula. She helped me so much by preparing me for labour and birth, checking in with me, and encouraging me to practice. I know that my birth experience with Finn would not have been the same without her! She is amazing at what she does. Janet changed my view of birth from trauma and fear to strength and empowerment.”

— MARY & FINN