Doulas are professionals who assist with childbirth and women’s reproductive health. The primary function is to provide support to the mother before, during, and shortly after delivery. They never deliver the baby. They do not replace a qualified nurse or gynecologist during pregnancy. Read more: How Much Do Doulas Get Paid? Article
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Childbirth Delivery Methods and Types
Learn about the pros and cons of various childbirth methods, such as the Bradley method, C-section, natural childbirth, water birth, Lamaze, and vaginal delivery. Read about birthing centers, hospital and home births, midwives, and doulas.
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Doula vs. Midwife
A midwife and doula are not the same thing. A doula's job is to provide non-medical, emotional, and personal support to a woman throughout her pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experience. A certified nurse midwife is a medical health care professional that manages the overall general health of the mother and baby; for example, performs exams, orders laboratory tests, and procedures, and performs fetal monitoring from the pregnant woman's first prenatal visit to post-partum and aftercare. A midwife can deliver the baby, whereas a doula cannot. A midwife usually tries to minimize the use of unnecessary technological interventions. A midwife cannot perform C-sections, use vacuums or forceps during labor and delivery.
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Pain Relief Options for Childbirth
Women experience and tolerate pain differently. For some pregnant women, focused breathing is all they need to get through labor and childbirth; but for others, numbing of the pain is desired. There are a number of different medications a woman can take during labor and childbirth. It is important for you to learn what pain relief options are available. Please discuss the options with your health care professional well before your "birth day" so that when you are in labor you understand the choices.
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Are Childbirth Classes Really Necessary?
Childbirth is one of the most important and life-changing phases in a couple’s life, particularly in a woman’s life. To learn about the challenges of childbirth and ways to deal with them, there are childbirth classes. Make sure you always register for a class conducted by certified personnel.
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