Full-Spectrum Doula Services.
(I didn't make this gif.)
Doula-modern Greek: female slave.
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Contemporary English: a doula is a person who provides support, information, comfort, and advocacy for a person who is pregnant, recently gave birth, is having a miscarriage or an abortion, is in a major life transition (like transitioning gender) or is dying.
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Most doulas provide support during birth, some post-partum. As a full spectrum doula I am interested in supporting all of life's sacred transitions. So far, I have a DONA training in birth doula'ing. I have however already worked in abortion, and post-partum. I am seeking mentorship around natural gender transition doula-ing, midwifing/doula-ing death, and herbalism that is supportive of natural gender transitions.
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Birth testimonial (excerpts):
"As a physician myself, I was initially unsure if my partner and I needed to have a doula. I figured I knew enough about the birth process after having gone to medical school and rotated through the labor and delivery floor to be enough...but I wasn’t sure what my goals were, so I looked to her to help me figure out my options. I had no idea what kind of preparation we would need...if I wanted a natural birth, and wanted to leave it up to my feelings during labor. I insisted on not really having a plan. Lily, in her amazing way, was able to roll with this. She was also able to give me an unbiased account of various options...I was convinced we definitely needed her as our doula. "
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She helped me stay accountable to myself and also continue to reevaluate my personal plans. She was incredibly communicative and
advocated for me in the most gentle way, and the medical team at the hospital definitely appreciated her presence...she had an amazing way of knowing when to step back and let my partner help with the physical positioning and hand-holding. I’m not sure how she knew when these times were, but she somehow was always exactly where she needed to be. This is definitely a skill of hers.
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Every time I was about to ask for medication she reminded me that I might want to try a different position or consider waiting a few more minutes. She blew up a yoga ball and suggested I try it – I did this several times through the labor at her suggestion and assistance, and every time I did my labor advanced dramatically! This sufficiently took me through the labor without medications – which I was extremely happy with – but I also very much appreciate that if I would have gone the epidural route she would have been supportive as well. "
| Doula Experience |
what should you ask your doula? dona's interview guide for families
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"Biden must reach out to his opponents and garner support to build on the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid to reduce uninsured rates among women of childbearing age, and extend maternity coverage to 12 months postpartum. Improving access to midwifery and doula services, and better organization of perinatal care systems at regional levels, will ensure women and infants, especially those in under-served areas, can receive the appropriate level of care. Expanding access to affordable contraception, reproductive health services, and safe abortion, and restoring funding for Planned Parenthood will also be crucial in reducing maternal deaths and morbidity."
-The Lancet,
Infant and maternal mortality in the USA, 2021
-The Lancet,
Infant and maternal mortality in the USA, 2021
| Click here to download a birth doula intake form |
| Click here to download the evaluation of birth services form |
This transition tending skill-set is also beginning to extend into the realm of officiating weddings, and the priestess-ing of other liminal events
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