Hi there, I'm Kira Shepherd. When my kids were little, I spent a lot of time at the health care clinic. Children need an exam when they hurt themselves or run a high fever. Any other distressing symptoms are also best explored by a qualified physician. Thankfully, my local health care clinic always helped reassure me that the kids were healthy and developing well. I will share information about common diagnostic procedures and treatments performed at health care clinics. I will talk about alternatives, like going to the hospital or treating at home. My site will cover common symptoms and complications caused by a wide range of illness and injuries. Please visit my site often to learn more information. Thank you.
Women who want to make sure they have an advocate during their pregnancy and labor and delivery should consider hiring a doula. A doula is a trained companion who provides emotional and physical support at various points during a woman's pregnancy. If you're interested in hiring a doula, here are a couple of tips to follow.
1. Decide When You Want Doula Services
Most women use doulas during the labor and delivery process. During your baby's birth, your doula can help alleviate physical discomfort by helping you move into a more comfortable position and massaging or stretching specific areas of your body. A doula can also explain medical terminology that you might not understand and serve as an advocate for your preferences during labor and delivery.
For example, maybe you want to walk the halls to encourage the progression of labor. However, your hospital may prefer that pregnant patients wear baby monitors and they only have a limited number of portable monitors. Your doula will do whatever they can to help you get a portable monitor, or they might encourage discussion with your nurse to find a compromise (such as allowing you to walk and monitoring your baby every 15 or 30 minutes until your labor progresses).
Some women use doulas after they deliver their babies. Postpartum doulas assist the mother with ensuring her physical and emotional needs are met while she works through learning to care for her infant and breastfeeding. Decide when you want the services of a doula so that you can find an individual who has the schedule availability for your needs.
2. Start Looking for a Doula Early in Your Pregnancy
As soon as you think you will benefit from hiring a doula, start looking for a doula that you're compatible with. Make sure that you interview at least a few options to ensure your doula meshes well with your personality and unique needs. If you're a quiet, reserved person who prefers not to draw a lot of attention to yourself, you might prefer a doula with a similar personality. Or, maybe you like a lot of verbal encouragement and want to know that you have someone in your corner during labor and delivery.
When interviewing your doula, here are a few questions to ask:
Once you find a doula you like, make sure to read all of the terms of your contract so that you understand the details associated with their services. To learn more, contact doula program services near you.
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