There was a time when expectant partners were portrayed as anxious, floor-pacing, tolerated in hospital corridors until the long-awaited moment when a nurse or doctor would announce they were the proud parent of a daughter or a son. Today's expectant parents are widely different.

When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting, today's partners want to share. They want to be actively involved; ease partner's labor pain, welcome baby at the moment of birth and help care for newborn at home. A labor Doula can help a partner's experience this special time with confidence.

When a woman and her partner hire one of our Doulas, they enjoy extra added benefits during not only their labor and delivery, but their pregnancy and postpartum period as well. Doulas of CNY offers partners a unique way of participating in their child's birth beginning in pregnancy, getting to know their wants, desires and hopes for the delivery of their baby. The Doula will assess how the mother and partner would like to labor, drawing the partner in to the planning process. Our Doulas can support you through doctor visits, sonograms, aminos, or any other circumstances that might come up in which you feel that extra support would be beneficial.

The Doula's calming and reassuring demeanor give partners the confidence they need to participate at their own comfort level. Childbirth classes are a must, but when the actual labor is imminent, it can be very difficult for partners to see their special woman in what can be trying situations. Doulas make suggestions regarding positions, comfort measures and help the partner relax by knowing that Mom is additionally being cared for exclusively, alongside the partner. Nurses come and go, Doulas are a constant presence both for mother and partner. The Doula fills in where the partner needs guidance, encouragement and support. Getting a meal, drink for Mom, contacting family members, another set of hands, another set of objective ideas, are just a few of the other ways a Doula supports.

Today, a partner's participation in birth preparation classes or presence at prenatal visits and in the delivery suite is a familiar occurrence. Yet, we sometimes forget that the expectations of his role as a "labor coach" may be difficult to fulfill. Sometimes it is also culturally inappropriate for an expectant partner to be so intimately involved in the process of labor and birth.

The partner is expected among other things to become familiar with the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and hospital protocols and advocate for his/her partner in an environment and culture that is often unfamiliar. Our Doulas will provide the information to help parents make appropriate decisions and facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and medical care providers.

At times a partner may not understand a woman's instinctive behavior during childbirth and may react anxiously to what a Doula knows to be the normal process of birth. Coach may witness partner uncomfortable and understandably become distressed. The Doula can be reassuring and skillfully help the mother to cope with labor in her unique way. The Doula's skills and knowledge can help partner to feel more relaxed. The partner/coach may need to accompany his/her partner during
surgery should a cesarean becomes necessary. Not all partners can realistically be expected to "coach" at this intense level.

The partner's presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and reassuring. The love shared with the mother and child, desire to nurture and protect this family are priceless gifts that only partner can provide. With her partner and a doula at birth, a mother can have the best of both worlds: her partner's loving care and attention and the Doula's expertise and guidance in childbirth. Partners have different needs, different thoughts about their special woman laboring, as well as thoughts about their role as a coach and life partner. Sometimes other siblings come along as well. Our Doulas have a soft spot for family and help guide and
encourage them through the birthing process with their special Doula touch.

Physicians, midwives and nurses are responsible for monitoring labor, assessing the medical condition of the mother and baby, and treating complications when they arise. But childbirth is also an emotional and spiritual experience with long-term impact on a woman's personal well being. Our Doulas are constantly aware that the mother and her partner will remember this experience throughout their lives. Our expertise and experience working within the community as team players within the birth setting with the local care providers and medical staff has been noted for 'being beneficial to mom, partner and baby'.

The benefits of Doula care have been recognized worldwide. The Medical Leadership Council of Washington, D.C, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and the World Health Organization are among the many healthcare organizations that value the benefits that Doulas provide to women in labor. Doulas of CNY work with many local care providers, hospitals and nursing staff and are welcomed when the arrive with a couple.