Doula Services
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth. The Doula’s role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. The Doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. She also assists families to gather information about the course of their labor and their options, so that the couple can make informed choices. Perhaps the most crucial role of the Doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort throughout labor, delivery, and postpartum.
The Doula is there in addition to, not instead of, the partner. Ideally, the Doula and the partner make the perfect support team for the woman, complementing each other’s strengths. Many studies have been done on the importance of a Doula’s support. They show that women who have a Doula present for the birth experience shorter labors. There is less need for pain medications, and a greater sense of satisfaction in the birth experience itself. Studies have shown women giving birth with a Doula require C-sections at a much lower rate.
Further reading: Effects of Social Support During Parturition on Maternal and Infant Morbidity
The nurturing aspect of a Doula has a tremendous effect upon the whole family in the days and months after the birth. The baby’s health benefits greatly. Statistics show that these babies have fewer health problems, such as: runny noses, vomiting, colds, and poor appetite.
There was a 25% increase in better relationships between husband and wife after a birth with a Doula present.
There are benefits for the husband as well, including a greater bond with the baby and a closer bond with his wife. In addition to helping Mom, the Doula is also able to offer reassurance and guidance to the father through the birth process. She can offer him breaks, and make sure that he is meeting his needs so that he can be 100% there for Mom.
Whether you are giving birth at the hospital, birth center, or at home, a Doula can help you get the birth you want through information, support, and advocacy.
It has been said, “If a Doula were a drug,
it would be unethical not to give it to a laboring woman!”
List of Doulas in the Northwest Ohio
Here is a list (in alphabetical order) of the doulas of whom we are aware in the Northwest Ohio area. We recommend that you interview them either over the phone or in person. Ask about their experience – how long has she been doing this work – and their fees. Fees should not be the determining factor – you get what you pay for! And the number of years being a doula may not be the best deciding factor either but, the number of births she has assisted with should be considered important.
AMBER HARMON — Birth & Postpartum Doula, and Infant Care Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio, North Central Ohio
Phone: 419.307.4944
Email:
ANITA FOREMAN — MOL, CFD Birth, Postpartum, and Bereavement Doula, Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, and Childbirth Educator
Serving Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, Northeast Ohio
Phone: 419.279.1474
Website: thedoulaxperience.com
Email:
ASHLEY SHORT — Birth & Bereavement Doula and Birth Photographer
Serving Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, Northeast Indiana
Phone: 419.231.1174
Website: ashleyshortphotography.com
Email:
CHRISTINE SCARLETT, RN, BSN — Certified Lactation Counselor, La Leche League Leader, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, and Postpartum Doula
Assisting families with all of their non-medical postpartum needs, including readying the nest for baby.
Phone: 419.893.4318
Email:
ELLIE RISHER — Birth Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio, Northeast Ohio, Southeast Michigan.
Phone: 419.508.1470
Email:
JEANETTE ALBRIGHT, AHCC — Affiliated Doula, and Instructor of The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth
Serving Toledo, Monroe, surrounding area
Phone: 586.823.1004
Website: BradleyBirth.com/JeanetteAlbright
KAITLYN HOYER — Birth & Postpartum Doula
Serving Bowling Green
Phone: 419.979.5057
KATE HAYFIELD, CD (DONA) — Birth Doula, and Lactation Counselor
Serving Greater Findlay area
Phone: 419.429.9163
Facebook: Kate Hayfield – Birth Doula
Email:
KIM POHLMAN, RN — Childbirth Educator
Serving Perrysburg and surrounding area (hospital only – no homebirths)
Phone: 419.704.5890
LAUREN MOTSINGER — Birth Doula, and Placenta Encapsulation
Serving Northwest Ohio
Phone: 419.308.2753
Website: nwobirthservices.wix.com/birth
Email:
MAHOGONEY ALLEN — Full Spectrum Doula
Serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio
Phone: 419.392.1252
MORGAN MAINOUS — Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, CBE, and Breastfeeding Counselor
Serving the Greater Toledo and Elmore areas
Phone: 419.450.7887
Email:
Facebook: Love Your Labor Birth & Postpartum Doula Services LLC
MORGAN RINGGER — Birth Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan
Phone: 678.428.6867
Website: meetyourdoula.com/ohio/swanton/doulas/morgan-ringger
Email:
MEREDITH EDWARDS — DONA Birth Doula
Serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio
Phone: 419.606.5537
Website: birthwithmeaning.com
Email:
RACHEL MACKAY — Birth & Postpartum Doula, and Placenta Encapsulator
Serving Southeast Michigan
Phone: 734.776.6334
Facebook: Sun Stand Still Doula Services, LLC
RENEE ZIMMERMAN — Birth & Postpartum Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana
Phone: 419.789.9348
Email:
RUTH KREAGOR — Birth Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio
Phone: 419.344.0561
Email:
TIANA TAYLOR — Birth Doula
Serving Northwest Ohio
Phone: 567.694.4586
Website: doulatiana.com
Email:
TIFFANY STORRER — Midwife Assistant, and Birth Doula
Wildflower Birth and Doula Services
Serving Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, Northeast Indiana
Phone: 419.350.8795
Website: wildflowerbirthing.com
Email:
TYANN N. SANCHEZ
Serving Van Wert, Defiance, Western Putnam, and Paulding, Ohio, and Allen County, Indiana
Phone: 260.449.5211
Email: