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Kathryn's birth philosophy:
I am dedicated to providing soon to be parents with all the information and skills they need to have the birth experience they desire. From my experience as a prenatal yoga instructor and birth coach (doula), I know that natural births are associated with shorter labours, less complications for mother and child, shorter hospital stays, higher success rates with short and long-term breast feeding, and greater overall parental satisfaction with the birth experience.
I am not, however, anti-medication, nor anti-intervention. I believe that given enough physical, mental and emotional preparation and the right kinds of support, most women can birth naturally. And if there are unexpected circumstances, that this same training will assist them to move through and accept whatever happens with strength and peace of mind. |
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These are the Birth Services that I offer:
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Prenatal yoga preparation for body, breath, and mind, and important connection time for mother and baby
(See FAQ section for: "I've just found out I'm pregnant" and "I want to do prenatal yoga but there are no group classes right now")
- Postnatal yoga (YogaBaby): physical recovery for Mom; gentle stretching, alignment and calming aids for baby; and connection time for both
- Couple's Preparation for Labour Workshop (or the Guy's Guide to Labour)
A three hour workshop, inspired by the partners of women taking prenatal yoga who kept asking, "What can I actually DO!"
In the workshop, we explore:
- what to expect and how to provide physical and emotional support during each of the birth stages
- specific relaxation and comfort techniques
- how the partner can help the mother conserve energy, anticipate her needs, and provide concrete hands-on assistance
The workshop is offered at least once per session or can be booked on an individual
basis by request.
- Doula Service (Birth Coach):
A Doula is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman during labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period. Research on birth outcomes has shown that when a doula is assisting with a birth.
- the labours are shorter
- there are fewer complications
- there are less interventions of all kinds, including Cesareans
- women request less pain medication and epidurals
- Mothers report greater satisfaction with the birth experience, and less postpartum depression
- babies have shorter hospital stays and breastfeed more easily
FAQ or: Some Things to Consider When Thinking About Working with a Doula:
Why do you need a doula if the father is there? Doulas do not replace the father, they support him too! First-time couples are often concerned about "being there" for each other and wonder about having an extra person present. Doula clients are more often second time parents who know that labour is hard physical work, and that providing the hands-on massage, pressure, and physical support a woman may need, make an extra set of hands more than appreciated. Also, a doula can help keep the couple focused on what they want, the beauty of the birth experience its self, and can help sort out issues as they arise so that the couple don't end up feeling so alone and overwhelmed when decisions are needed. The presence of a third, objective person often helps the couple to relax into the birth experience and worry less about external factors.
What if I end up wanting an epidural? Doulas are there to support your birth experience from beginning to end. It may be that the Doula's experience and coaching can help avoid the kinds of interventions that escalate unmanageable pain during labour, but her first responsibility is always to support the mother's wishes, knowing that it is the mothers' perception of the birth experience that will matter in the long run, no matter what actually happens.
Can Doulas really guarantee a natural birth? No. Anything can happen during a birth. Statistically, the mere presence of a doula significantly alters birth outcomes. But you are not a statistic and what actually happens is a complicated interaction between the mother's physical and mental/emotional state, the baby's readiness and physical characteristics, the chemistry between the parents and staff, attitudes and procedures concerning birth in a hospital environment, and the skill and experience of the birth coach. Unfortunately, many couples are dissatisfied with the birth experience because in retrospect, they felt ill-equipped to face the pressure of decisions within a hospital environment and they just don't know if "if could have been different". Most couples will feel happy with the birth if they know in their hearts, they made the best decisions they could, given what they knew. Sometimes, a doula is just that third objective person, between the parents and the system that provides a little extra space and context for decision-making, and human touch and caring.
Doulas are expensive and seldom covered by healthcare plans. Are they really worth it? A doula accepts responsibility for prenatal visits, shaping a birth plan with the couple, being on 24/7 call for the couple 2 weeks before (and more) before the due date, and sometimes 2 weeks after. She agrees to drop her life at a moment's notice, to be with the couple from when they decide they need her, until the Mom and baby are settled which may in rare cases be 36 to 48 hours. She will visit post-natally, make sure the birth experience is properly de-briefed and often provide a birth write-up. You don't even want to know what that works out to per hour.... In Fredericton, doulas tend to charge a flat rate, often in the $600 range. Many couples realize they could put off the flat-screened TV, or treat it like budgeting for another large ticket item, or get creative about baby showers, asking for help instead of more things... Like anything, it's personal.
About Kathryn:
Kathryn Downton has been teaching pre and postnatal yoga in Fredericton for 8 years; trained with DONA, Doulas of North America, and has been working as a doula for 4 years. Her unique blend of practical wisdom, sense of humour, knowledge of complementary practices, and compassionate presence has inspired hundreds of women in the prenatal yoga program to reach for the birth experience they desire. Comments from yoga students and doula clients alike are, "I couldn't have done it without you" or "the breath techniques and comfort measures you taught me got me through when nothing else worked. Thank you."
Due to teaching demands, she will only accept one couple every two months, so please call early.
For more information on Doulas visit www.DONA.org
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