The Work of a Birthing Doula

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

The Work of a Birthing Doula

Episode 30– The Work of a Birthing Doula

The Work of a Birthing Doula answers the basic questions about the work of doulas and dispels some of the myths. 

Special guest, LaToya Murray-Johnson, a certified birthing doula, explains why women  choose a birthing doula over a traditional doctor. She talks about the advantages, and how birthing doula work in conjunction with an OB/GYN.

Additionally, Murray-Johnson shares about when you should start the process of finding one, and what a client must look for when she sets out to find a birthing doula.

Finally, LaToya talks about the average cost of hiring a birthing doula, and payment options.

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To subscribe and download episodes, visit www.theworkingwomanradiopodcast.com.  You can also find us by visiting The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network and clicking on the ‘The Working Woman Radio Show’ page.  For more information about upcoming podcasts and WWRS events, you can also go to the WWRS Facebook page and become a friend. Share your comments and questions because I want to hear from you.

 

The Work of a Birthing Doula

More About LaToya Murray-Johnson

LaToya Murray-Johnson is a certified birthing doula. She completed her certifications through Lamaze International (LCCE) and DONA International. She also trained in lactation counseling. 

LaToya has been passionate about pregnancy and childbirth for as long as she can remember –volunteering, studying, and sharing her knowledge with expecting parents, friends, and family.  She believes that her work as a birthing doula is a God given calling. Latoya says that empowering, encouraging, supporting women and their partners comes so naturally. 

She is the owner of Doula View LLC, and has been performing doula services for the past 10 years.

She  and her husband, Alton, are the parents of three beautiful children– Alauni who is 13, Jamari, who is 11 and Sanai, who is 8.  

 

 

Doula View LLC

Doula View LLC offers supportive, professional doula experiences, along with wellness advocacy, photography & much more! We proudly serve families in the metro-Atlanta area.

 

 

 

Lamaze

Lamaze International (LCCE)

Lamaze is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance safe and healthy pregnancy.  They also offer birth and early parenting information through evidence-based education.

 

 

 

Doula Training and Doula Certification – DONA International

DONA International

If you’ve dreamed of attending births, providing incredibly important support to the birthing woman and her partner, then you are in the right place. We are here to support you on your journey toward supporting moms and babies! Become a part of the IDI family today.

 

What’s in Your Birthing Bag?

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Podcast #51

What’s in your Birthing Bag?

 

Here are a few items that Amanda finds important to have on hand while she is birthing. It doesn’t matter if you are birthing in a hospital, birthing center, or the comfort of your own home.

 

Must-haves:

#1 Essential oils are a must and making them easy to use in a roller bottle is quite helpful. Blends to consider are a Labor, Strength, Milk, Grounding, Peace, Head, Back, Sleep, Dynamic Duo, and Relax.

 

#2 Young Living’s Claraderm or a DIY Peri Spray

 

#3 Homeopathic remedies. Check out www.homeopathyformommies.com for a complete list on birthing remedies.

 

#4 Diffuser

 

#5 Hypnobirthing relaxation CD or birthing playlist- don’t forget the speaker J

 

#6 Popsicle pads- check out the full video and recipe here!

 

#7 Comfortable nursing bra

 

#8 Anything that helps to keep you calm and grounded- a doula, printed affirmations, or prayers.

 

What is in your birthing bag?

If you want to learn more about our preparations for a home birth check this out too!

As always, be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!

Home Birth

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Podcast #44

Home Birth

For centuries, home birth was the only way to birth. It was common that the new mother was surrounded by the other women in her community to assist her through the birthing process. In the past century, the birth was moved from the care of the women for women to doctors in the hospital. When looking at the history and statistic, this did not actually improve birth as a whole.

Not everyone should have a home birth. Those who are considering it should think about a few different things while discerning if it is the right option for you.

Why?

Everyone has a different reason for choosing homebirth. What are your reasons? Comfort. Fears. Security. Empowerment. Knowing your why is going to help you in the decision as to whether home birth Is the option for you.

Overcoming misconceptions

Ghostbusting some of the misconceptions that we have heard, seen in movies or even emotional trauma that we have experienced through our lives is where we should start. Holding onto thoughts, stories or past traumas can be brought back as we prepare for our birth. This is something all women should do before their birth, no matter where the birth will take place.

Envisioning your birth

Just as with anything that you are doing in life, running a marathon, achieving a business goal or giving birth, envisioning the process and the outcome is important. Hypnobirthing is an amazing birthing technique that helps you prepare and envision, as well as overcome some of your fears or misconceptions of what birth truly is.

Hiring a midwife

One of the most important things you will do while preparing for your birth is hiring your provider. That is right, YOU get to decide who your care provider is. Interview them. Ask them the hard questions: transfer rate, certifications, experience, and anything else that is important to you.

Gathering Your People

This is an area that gets overlooked. Who do you want at your birth? Are you hiring a doula? People that have been negative or unsupportive, even if that is your mother or best friend, should not be someone on this list.

Prepare for Postpartum

Often postpartum is forgotten in all of the birthing plans. Soon baby will be here and having a support system and plan in place for meals, other children you may have, and even a postpartum doula, are options that you should consider before that little one arrives.

Are you ready?

Be informed. Educate yourself and those who will be helping you along this journey into motherhood.

As always, be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!

What is a Doula

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

What is a Doula?Podcast #18

What is a Doula?

 

Many people have heard the word doula and have no clue what it means or think that it is “like a midwife or something?” Not exactly. Doulas have been around forever but without the fancy name. They are the numerous women throughout history that come together when a woman was in labor and they were there to “show her the way.” It truly is a beautiful thing.

 

In no way does a doula take the place of Dad but rather helps him to be a bigger part of the birthing process. Dad doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines watching TV or checking his phone but he can more so be a part of helping to bring his baby into the world as well.

 

What Is A Doula?

Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves. While they have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, a doula is not a medically trained professional. That is the job of the midwife or doctor. A doula helps the mother-to-be to achieve the birth she hopes for, no matter if it’s a birth with or without drugs, or a c-section. This makes a doula a valuable addition to the birth team

 

What Does A Doula Do?

A doula may provide some of the following services. Often doulas are also qualified in other therapies too, so it always helps to ask when you interview them!

  • Birth education and preparation
  • Birth planning (including creating a written birth plan/birth preferences document)
  • De-briefing previous births (sometimes we forget)
  • Massage, acupressure, and other comfort measures
  • Suggest positions and changes to help ease pain and facilitate a smoother, more effective labor
  • Provide reassurance and encouragement
  • Talking through emotional blockages which may come up during pregnancy and in labor
  • Keep your ‘environment’ how you want – essential oils, light/dim, music/quiet, etc
  • Photography/video of the birth itself, as well as those precious first moments as a family
  • So much more!

 

One of the biggest bonuses of hiring a doula is that fact that she is a professional birth support person. Doulas are trained in the art of birth support.

 

If you are looking to learn more about having a more natural birth, check out Homeopathy for Mommies podcast as well as her new Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond course: http://homeopathyformommies.com/birthcourse/

 

Remember to check out your local birthing community and interview a few doulas to make sure that the one that you choose is what you are looking for!

 

As always, be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!