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       "A Doula for every woman that wants one"

"Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength."
~Barbara Katz Rothman~



My name is Paula. The picture above is of me assisting with the third baby I observed being delivered. That's my God-daughter Marley and she was born on my 30th birthday. That day, in that very moment, while looking into her eyes, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I had just assisted my best friend with her second natural birth and here was that miracle again staring up at me. My best friend sat glowing, her husband's chest puffed out and proud and I sat quietly thinking... what if all women had a friend to stand by them in the moments like this? I realized I could spend the rest of my life being that woman, the one that carried on the traditions of many women before her, supporting, loving and guiding a birthing mother through the natural process of giving birth in this overly complicated world. I had already been doing it for 5 years as an Army wife taking care of her "sisters", now I had a title to attach to the work that came naturally to me. I am a Doula.

Pregnancy is a journey that is exciting, joyful and, at times, scary. As your Doula I aim to take the scary portion out of the equation. As your body grows and changes there are decisions to be made, things to be prepared and, often, mom forgets that she will need to be cared for as well. My job is to care for you emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 

As your Doula I am here for those middle of the night questions, to calm any worries that arise, to stand by you through your labor and delivery, to assist with you and your baby postpartum and to assist with beginning to breastfeed. Most importantly, I am here to listen, to calm and to guide you to embrace these precious moments in your life and to empower you to make informed choices that will lead to the most fulfilling birthing experience possible.

Why Should You Obtain A Doula?



Women that have continuous Labor Support are:

  • 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
  • 25% shorter labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests
  • 40% reduction in oxytocin use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use
  • 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Information was obtained from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can HelpYou Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993).

From DONA International

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth

  • tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
  • reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
  • reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
  • reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

  • Feel more secure and cared for
  • Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
  • Have greater success with breastfeeding
  • Have greater self-confidence
  • Have less postpartum depression
  • Have lower incidence of abuse
 From Dona International

A Doula does NOT:
-Do vaginal exams
-Monitor fetal heart rates
-Make decisions for you
-Do any kind of medical procedures
-Offer medical advice
-Take the place of the father

   ~Dads and Doulas ~


When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting, today's father may want to share everything with his partner. He may want to be actively involved; ease his partner’s labor pain, welcome his baby at the moment of birth and help care for his newborn at home. A birth doula can help a father experience this special time with confidence.


Studies show that when doulas are present at birth, women have shorter labors, fewer medical interventions, fewer cesareans and healthier babies. Recent evidence also suggests that when a doula provides labor support, women are more satisfied with their experience and the mother-infant interaction is enhanced as long as two months after the birth. With doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather than pull away in times of stress.

Many fathers are eager to be involved during labor and birth. Others, no less loving or committed to their partners' well being, find it difficult to navigate in uncharted waters. With a doula, a father can share in the birth at a level at which he feels most comfortable. The doula’s skills and knowledge can help him to feel more relaxed. If the father wants to provide physical comfort, such as back massage and change of positions, and help his partner to stay focused during contractions, the doula can provide that guidance and make suggestions for what may work best.

The father's presence and loving support in birth is comforting and reassuring. The love he shares with the mother and his child and his need to nurture and protect his family are priceless gifts that only he can provide. With her partner and a doula at birth, a mother can have the best of both worlds - her partner’s loving care and attention and the doula's expertise and guidance in birth.