I Should Get A Massage Doula!

The Massage Doula

 

First, you are probably asking, “what the heck is a doula?”. And second question up is, “what the heck does massage therapy have to do with that?”. Hopefully I will be able to answer both of those questions and explain to you what a Massage Doula is.

By Definition-

My doula, Jessica, massaging and utilizing
acupressure during contractions.

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.

Massage doula: A licensed or certified massage therapist who is also certified as a labor doula. She (or he) can perform massage therapy during the pregnancy, provide doula support during childbirth, and perform postpartum massage after the baby is born. She (or he) is often also a certified infant massage therapist/instructor and can teach new parents how to massage their babies.

More About A Massage Doula and What Can They Do For Me?

A doula is someone trained to assist a pregnant woman through the various states of childbirth by providing comfort, physical support, encouragement and emotional sustenance. In order to be termed a massage doula, a practitioner must be certified to practice general massage and must have also completed additional training in prenatal and postpartum massage, as well as labor and delivery doula practices. Specific requirements vary by state, but many programs are available throughout the country, both live and online, for becoming trained in doula massage.  

Although the practice of women assisting each other in labor is surely as old as humankind, the term "doula" has been in common usage only in recent times. In most countries, doulas are not required to be certified for their profession, although those who are designated massage doulas must be certified as massage therapists. Research, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggests that women who employ the services of massage doulas for prenatal or postpartum massage are more relaxed during labor and have an easier time adjusting to the changes of their postpartum bodies Doulas can assist births at home, birthing centers and most hospitals. Massage doulas might perform prenatal massages on their patients anywhere from the early or middle months of pregnancy right up through labor and delivery. Postpartum massage can take place very soon after labor or in the hours or days that follow the baby's birth. Both prenatal and postpartum massage can be beneficial for stress reduction, relaxation and mental tranquility in an expectant or new mother.

To summarize what a Certified Massage Doula can do for you:

·         Shorten length of labor
·         Reduce need for pain medications or epidurals Reduce the need for pitocin
·         Reduce the need for forceps & vacuum extraction
·         Reduce the need for C-sections
·         Dramatically increase your odds of a natural labor
·         Increase chance of successful breastfeeding
·         Most importantly improve the wellness of yourself and baby!

For more about Massage Doula services, click here, or contact your local, friendly Massage Doula (*ahem ahem* for some of you, that could be me J)

Resources: eHow.com, MassageDoula.com, dona.com

If you have any specific questions or topics you would like to read about, please share on my Facebook page or email me. Together we can “Relax your body, Refresh your mind, Rejuvenate your life!”