What is Breith Áthas ?

Breith Áthas  (pronounced breh ahaas) is Irish for “birthing  joy.” It can also be translated as “bringing or seizing joy.”

Childbirth is a normal and healthy event that presents real emotional and physical challenges. It is a powerful time for women and their families.  A woman who is given continuous, knowledgeable and unconditional support during childbirth learns to trust herself and to appreciate the awesome power of a woman in childbirth. This trust and appreciation of her own strength contributes to greater confidence and self-esteem as she faces the challenges of parenthood.

Women are powerful and beautiful as they birth their babies. As a doula, I  support women (and their partners) physically and emotionally so that they can experience the joy and wonder inherent in birth. Every woman deserves a beautiful birth. The mission of  Breith Áthas is to empower women with the knowledge and confidence they need to have a safe and healthy birth while creating a birth experience that is meaningful to them (and their partners/family).

What is a birth doula?

A birth doula is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to women before, during and just after childbirth. A birth doula:

o     recognizes childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
o     understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
o     assists a woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
o     stays by the side of a laboring woman throughout the entire labor and delivery
o     provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting          the information she needs to make good decisions
o     facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical providers

Why would I need a doula?

While no one can guarantee the outcome of a birth, numerous studies have shown that the continuous support of a doula during childbirth has the following effects:

o Labors are shorter
o There are fewer complications and interventions
o Cesarean rates are reduced
o Women request less pain medication and epidurals
o Mothers experience less postpartum depression, greater satisfaction with childbirth, and enhanced           self-esteem
o Mothers feel more affectionate and bond more quickly with their babies
o Babies have shorter hospital stays
o Babies breastfeed more easily

Breith Áthas Birth Doula Services

Free initial consultation – This is an opportunity for the mother (and her partner) to get to know me, learn more about doulas and my services and to ask questions to help her (them) decide if we would be a good fit.

Pre-natal visits – Depending on the mother’s needs, I will do two or three pre-natal visits to discuss the birth plan, go over coping strategies, discuss expectations and possible scenarios for the birth. These visits are a time to share information and develop trust both in our relationship and in the process of childbirth. With knowledge and trust, expecting parents gain confidence in their ability to meet the challenges of labor. I am also available by telephone during this time to answer questions about pregnancy and the birth process.

Labor support – Two weeks prior to the due date, I will be on-call to attend the birth. During labor I use a variety of techniques to provide emotional support and physical comfort to the laboring woman as well as to partners and other family members who are present. I will not leave until mother and baby are comfortably settled, usually one or two hours after the birth. I can also assist with early breastfeeding if that is desired.

Postpartum visit – This is a chance for the mother (and her partner) to process the birth and to evaluate my services. I can also help with breastfeeding if that is needed and answer other questions that the mother (and her partner) may have.

Other Services from Breith Áthas

Postpartum Assistance - New families need support and nurturing during this time of  adjustment. Light housekeeping and  meal preparation in addition to information about breastfeeding and newborn care can help ease the transition and provides a nurturing environment for the new family.

Birth Plan Consulting - One on one consulting to discuss birth options. Helps  the mother (and her partner) clarify her (their) goals for the birth, understand her (their) options and create a birth plan to meet her (their) needs. Can be very helpful for mothers who have difficult pregnancies and/or  expect complications during the birth due to certain medical conditions. (This service is included in birth doula services.)

Fees

All my fees are charged on a sliding scale according to the client's ability to pay. Birth doula services are a flat rate which covers prenatal visits, labor and birth, and postpartum visit; all other services are charged by the hour. I will not turn down a client based on her/their ability to pay, so if you are interested in working with a doula, it is best to contact me and we can make some arrangement. I will often accept trades or partial trades in exchange for services.