Phoenix Birth Services, owned and operated by Reese McGillie, is a
company that provides
birth doula services for families in the Seattle area.
What is a Doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
A Birth Doula
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective
viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to
make an informed decision - Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and
her
clinical care providers - Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the
birth experience - Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level