How can a doula help you?

About the author: Hi, I’m Nicole DiBella, your Lawrenceville Doula. I bring to you knowledge, support, and resources as you experience this new adventure in life. I want you to believe in you as much as I do!

So Many Atlanta Doulas to Choose From… Lucky you!

Doulas offer support during pregnancy, labor & birth, and into postpartum care.

A doula during pregnancy?

These doula services are commonly referred to as ‘Antepartum’ support or Bedrest Doulas. Who benefits from an Antepartum Doula?

High Risk Situations
Pregnancy Complications
Those on Bedrest
Teen Pregnancies

A pregnancy doula offers support and resources in the antenatal period, similar to a labor doula. Unlike a birth doula, antenatal doulas will often help with minor household management as well. This could include: menu planning, grocery shopping, meal prep, laundry, dishes, or even walk the dog, all while being an available listening ear during a very emotional time for expectant families.

What about birth doula support?

Want the support of a doula during labor? These doula services may also be called birth support, labor coach, or labor companion. Birth Doula Support is proven to improve birth outcomes and satisfaction. Check it out on Evidence Based Birth. What type of birth does a Labor Doula support?

Hospital Births (with an OB or Midwife)
Home Births
Waterbirths
Epidurals
Unmedicated (natural) Births
Cesarean Birth (planned and unplanned)
First time birthers, Second time birthers, any number really!
Those without a Birth Partner due to Military obligations or family dynamics

Birth Doula Support is proven to improve birth outcomes and satisfaction

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Labor Doulas are welcomed at many hospitals in Metro Atlanta, including Dekalb Medical, Atlanta Medical Center, N. Fulton Regional, and at the Atlanta Birth Center. Just ask your provider about your hospital’s Birth Doula protocol.

Discover the gift of postpartum doula services

A Doula for new families? These doula services for postpartum care may be confused with a Baby Nurse, Night Nanny or Mother’s Helper. The type of help a new parent or family might be seeking from hiring a Postpartum Doula might include:

Babywearing Help
Breastfeeding Help
Minor household management
Sibling adjustment
More sleep!!
Meal planning and prep
A shower!!
More confidence with their newborn baby
Getting out and about with a newborn

Postpartum Doula support can play a valuable part in avoiding Postpartum Mood Disorders such as Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum OCD and Postpartum Depression. They will have wonderful resources for new parent support groups that may be peer to peer or led by professional therapists.

There a few more, even lesser known, types of Doulas.

Abortion/Termination Doulas (sometimes referred to as Full Spectrum Doulas)
Adoption Doulas (can support either the relinquishing or the adopting family)
Bereavement Doulas that can help in the case of miscarriage/ infant loss/ stillbirth.

Hiring an Atlanta Doula

If you feel these services could help you or someone you love, I have wonderful resources on hand to help find the help and support needed. I am a Birth and Postpartum Doula supporting families in Metro and Intown Atlanta area, including Lawrenceville and Athens. Please contact me if you’d like more information on building your support team for Labor and Postpartum.