Training For Birth Doula Services Dallas TX

By Catherine Brooks


A doula is someone who provides emotional and physical support to women during pregnancy and childbirth. They do not provide medical advice nor do they assist doctors with any medical procedures; however, they do play an important advocacy role for the pregnant woman and her partner. If you would like to receive training in birth doula services Dallas TX, there are several things you need to know about the profession.

Doulas are also known as birth assistants. Your relationship with your assistant will typically begin a few months before your baby is due. During this time, you can ask the assistant any questions you may have, express your fears or concerns and create a plan for when the baby arrives. Your assistant should be available to you at any time so that you can phone her and express your concerns during the pregnancy. Although the doula cannot provide medical care, she will be familiar with the physical aspects of childbirth and can help you to understand some of the procedures and complications that may arise in pregnancy and delivery.

During your delivery, your birth assistant will remain in close proximity to you and provide comfort through the use of certain pain-relieving techniques. She will help you to focus on your breathing techniques, provide soothing massages and help you to adjust your labor position. She will also encourage your partner to participate and offer you reassurance. After the baby is born, your assistant will help you to begin breastfeeding and develop a bond between your family and the new baby.

The training course will include several modules that you must complete. You will learn about various things including breastfeeding, birthing positions and breathing techniques to help the mother relax during labor. There is also a practical component to your studies, where you will work directly with a pregnant mother leading up and during childbirth.

Some courses may be completed through a distance learning program. On average these courses cost approximately $500 which does not include extra expenses for study materials, breastfeeding classes and membership and certification fees.

Having a doula present can be beneficial regardless of the type of birth that is planned. Most women report that they needed fewer interventions and that their assistant helped them to have a safe and pleasant childbirth experience.

There is an increasing demand for nurses and midwives due to the growing population and the need for more support for pregnant women. Midwifery is currently legal in all 50 states in the United States. DONA International has also seen its membership grow and currently has more than six thousand members in various countries. The American College of Nurse-Midwives, which helps to oversee the profession, is advocating to have more non-Cesarean births attended by a doula or nurse-midwives in the future.

The key to choosing the best assistant for you is to find someone whom you feel comfortable with. Most advocates will not charge you for an initial consultation. Take your time and interview as many candidates as necessary until you find someone who is a good match.




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