Experience Birth And New Parenthood
With As Little Stress As Possible!

Shorter Labors

Fewer Medical Interventions

Easier Breastfeeding

Earlier Bonding

Comfort Measures for Dad

Conscious Birthing

Lower Cesaerean Rate

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My Philosophy of a Doula's Role in Birth-Jill Fransen, C.D.

To truly understand the role of a Doula in childbirth, we must go back to earliest times. Women were together for birthing, lending knowing support, instinctive technical know-how, and physical comfort. In our modern times, we want our men to be more part of our birthing experience, and our men want to be, and are encouraged to be, present in a helpful and supportive role. Reality shows that, while a natural phenomenon, birthing can be a time of anxiety, pain and even fear. The men that love and want to protect now feel inadequate and helpless.

My primary role as a Doula during birth is to assist in physical and emotional ways, the comfort of the birthing woman. This does not mean I try to be the partner, the doctor or nurse, or even the birthing woman's mom. As a Doula, I am a professional, trained in comfort techniques during labor, including: massage, positioning, breathing, stretching, aromatherapy, meditation/visualization, and most importantly, encouragement. It is not my position to advocate for the birthing woman, but to support her in whatever she wants and needs during her labor and the birth of her baby.

 

There is nothing medical in what I will do, yet the medical results are usually more favorable because as a Doula, I help the mother focus on the importance of the job at hand. Labors are often shorter, less pain is observed, medications are fewer, awareness is heightened, and the newborn infants are able to breastfeed with greater success: these are proven statistics.

I draw from the well of my training and experience as a woman and Doula. I have worked with birthing women at home, in birth centers and hospitals in New York and currently in Portland Oregon, assisted in breastfeeding initiation as well as with newborn care, continuing the role of caring for the mother even after the birth of her baby. I have infinite reserves of patience, and the ability to be calm in the center of the storm. I will support the mother, father, partner, parents, children/siblings with actual labor help, with emotional stability and stamina. As the labor is coming to a close, and the new life appears, my job slowly changes, and I will, at the parents request, take pictures to record the events that with the chaotic climaxing of birth, may otherwise have been missed.

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"I am the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to two adorable grandsons and a beautiful granddaughter. Attending the birth of my youngest grandson was one of my greatest joys as a woman and a doula"
- Jill Fransen

 

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