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What's New?
We're out and about in Guelph and Fergus. Here's what we're working on!
- Our Doula Information Sessions are now being held in Guelph! Please check here for more information and for a listing of the next sessions and locations.
- Fundraising! Look for our products and sales to come soon! All money raised ensures that we can keep going as a not for profit group and ensures that women in Guelph and Fergus get the best care possible!
- We are participating in the Parent Child Show in Guelph, on the 2nd last weekend of May! Please come out to learn more about what doulas can provide to you!
- This website is up and running for the first time! We will keep adding to it, so bookmark us, and check back to see what we're doing that interests you! The website IS under very heavy construction, so please bear with any blips in the linking, I will do my best.
- In the future, you will be able to download our regional reports using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, you can download it for free here.
- May is International Doula month!
Info Sessions in Guelph
We are now holding comprehensive informational sessions on the use of a doula to aid in your labour and birth care.
We will be focusing on:
- What is a doula and how can they help me?
- How do doulas work with other care providers? (OB, Midwives, Nurses, etc)
- How can having a doula help my labour and birth?
- Doulas and epidurals
- Doulas and surgical birth
- Doulas and Partners, the birth team!
- Comfort Measures in Childbirth
- Questions to ask your doula
- Finding the doula who is right for you!
The session is held by as many doulas as can attend, and you will have ample time to learn, ask questions, voice concerns, or just chat with doulas in the area!
The next session will be announced shortly!
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour.
- Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth.
- Provides continuity of care, emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint,
- Helps the woman and her partner obtain information they need to make good decisions.
Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. The role of the Doula encompasses the non-clinical aspects of care during childbirth. The comfort and reassurances offered by the Doula are beneficial regardless of whether or not the woman chooses pain medication. How will hiring a Doula help?Studies indicate that when a Doula is present, labours tend to be shorter with less need for technical aid, and there is greater maternal satisfaction. This provides a more relaxed postpartum environment and enhances early mother - infant relationships, breast feeding and family adjustments.
A Birth Doula...
- does not replace the woman's partner or care providers.
- does not make decisions for, or speak instead of, her clients. She does not project her own values and goals onto her client, or discourage the woman from her choices.
- does not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tones, vaginal exams or postpartum clinical care
What do we provide?
Since we are a group comprised of people working independently, we all provide various services. Most doula's working with doula c.a.r.e. will provide:
- A few prenatal visits, to discuss your options, and help keep you informed about your birth.
- They will stay with you throughout your entire labour and birth.
- Provide you with a backup doula from the Doula C.A.R.E. group to ensure continuity.
- Postpartum visits to check in, and help you with breast feeding, and referal if needed to a postpartum doula.
Some doulas working in the Guelph/Fergus chapter of Doula C.A.R.E. have been trained in other work that may be helpful to you during your pregnancy and birth. A doula will never use methods she is not trained or knowledgable in, and will discuss all practice before it's use with the client.
Some services our doula's offer are:
If there's something you're interested in, and it's not listed above, just ask! We may be able to point you in the right direction in the Guelph/Fergus community!
- Multi lingual. Including: Spanish, ASL, Signed English, and French.
- Massage Therapy.
- Use of a rebozo.
- Reiki.
- Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga.
- Pelvic Mapping
- Belly Mapping
Where do we work?
This will also depend on the doula that is right for you. Some of our doula's are willing to travel some distance to attend to a client, while others are restricted to working in Guelph or Fergus. Your doula will be upfront with you about her limitations to work in your area, and can help you find someone else should she be unavailable.
Information about Doulas, and childbirth assistants:Reccommended Reading List
Maternity and birth:
Breast feeding:
Adapted from Dou-la-la!
Prenatal, and Preparation:
- The Complete Book of Mother and Baby Care.- Canadian Medical Association.
Books on Doulas!
- The Doula Advantage: Your Complete Guide to Having An Empowered and Positive Birth With the Help of A Professional Childbirth Assistant.-Rachel Gurevich
- The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth -Marshall H. Klaus et al.
- Mothering the Mother. (previously released version of above)
- The Birth Partner: Everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth.- Penny Simkin.
Choices, Choices, Choices!
- The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. - Henci Goer.
- The Rights of the Pregnant Parent.- Valmai Howe Elkins.
- The Midwifery Option. - Miranda Hawkins, Sarah Knox.
Breastfeeding!If you have a book you think should be on this list, e-mail me and let me know.
- Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding. - Dr. Jack Newman.
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. - La Leche League Int.
- The Breastfeeding Answer Book.- La Leche League Int.
Parent Books (Toronto) Has excellent deals, and a very wonderful and very knowledgeable staff. You can phone them, tell them your interests, philosophies, and they can find an excellent book selection to suit you.
Who are we?
Who Are We? We are a group of dedicated doulas in the Guelph and Fergus community. All the women in this group are compassionate, caring, supportive, and motivated in their work. While we all offer various services surrounding our doula work, we are all very passionate about birthing and informed choice!
Our local group consists of 5 active doulas, as well as members who are not providing doula care but are still valuable members of this group.
More information about our doulas is coming soon!
- Angela Van Lanen
Donna Buchan- Karin Konopelky
- Mhairi Colgate
- Victoria Coates
Contact us.
Please feel free to contact us via e-mail at: "guelphdoulas" "at" "yahoo" "dot" "com"
This e-mail address has been encoded to prevent spam. Please alter it as necessary and save it to your address book.
You can also phone the toll free number to be given a list of three doulas to contact.1-888-879-3199.
OR locally at:
1 519 362-1212
If you have any questions, suggestions, or additions you would like to see on this webpage, please contact Mhairi Colgate, at the e-mail address above. Please put something doula related in the subject line.