Let me help you usher a brand new life into the world!Â
Becoming a doula has been very fulfilling. It has allowed me to protect other women when they are most vulnerable. It has also given me the opportunity to guide women back to their normal life after childbirth. Plus, I use my extensive experience in both fitness and fashion along with my doula training to help me mold each new mother I work with into a sassy and sexy force to be reckoned with!Â
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What is a doula? The word doula means “a woman who serves” in ancient Greek, and boy is that true! Doulas are trained professionals who give continuous physical (non-medical), emotional, and informational support to expectant, laboring, and postpartum mothers and families.
What does a doula do? A birthing doula’s role is to help you have a positive and safe birth experience. During the months before birth, a doula can help you create a birth plan that’s right for you. She will also teach you how to advocate for yourself during labor. This is especially wonderful if you need to or want to labor in the hospital where you’re unlikely to have a close relationship with your medical team.
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Why get a doula? Doula support in childbirth is associated with a 40% decrease in Cesarean (C-section) deliveries among Medicaid recipients. Researchers found that Doula-supported births had a Cesarean rate of 22.3% compared to 31.5% among other Medicaid recipients, according to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health. Plus, six weeks after birth, mothers who used a doula were less anxious and depressed, had more confidence with their baby, were more satisfied with their partner, and were more likely to be breastfeeding.
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Postpartum Support: Depending on the extent of the support you need, doulas can assist with vaginal/cesarean recovery, healthy meal prep, breastfeeding techniques, breast pump/bottle feeding, soothing techniques, babywearing, and the baby’s first bath.
Labor Support: Doulas offer support by phone in early labor and can come to your home or hospital to provide labor support as needed. During labor, we may suggest positions, massage, apply counter-pressure, hot and cold packs, encourage hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, as well as provide encouragement and reassurance to the new mom and her partner. The doula will stay with you about 1-2 hrs post-birth to help with the baby’s first latch and continue guidance until the first postpartum visit. Plus, I’m available through phone/email/text support for reassurance and to answer all the questions that arise in between our visits.
Wasidah’s Secret Sauce!
Personal shopping: Whether you’re looking for creative ways to accent your new baby bump or trying to transition stylishly through postpartum, I can help. As a former fashion professional, I make sure that my personal shopping sessions are all about how to help women find creative ways to look cute, sexy, and sassy but also be comfortable and transition through their pregnancy with ease and grace.
A doula can also help with:
- Custom made meals Â
- Help getting new mommy’s back on track
- Spiritual baths that assist with healing and recovery
- Yoni steam
- Pelvic floor recovery
- Breast-feeding support
- Maternal postnatal care
- Partner involvement
- Newborn care and education, techniques to soothe your baby, and baby-wearing
- Meal preparation and education on nutrition after birth
- Screening for postpartum mood disorders
- Additional resources and referrals in your community