Offering Doula Services and Childbirth Education Classes
A Lifetime Journey is a partnership that provides doula services in the Fort Collins, Denver North and Denver South areas. We have many years of experience supporting and caring for women during their pregnancies and births and are happy to accept new clients.
What is a Doula?
Doula is a Greek word meaning “woman caregiver.” Doulas are professional labor assistants that provide constant care for laboring women and their families.
Although doulas do not provide medical care, they do provide constant emotional and physical support for women using a variety of techniques such as massage, touch, position, relaxation and most of all, a constant reassuring presence for a woman and her family.
Why use a Doula?
Doulas do not replace the mother's birth partner, but act to assist a mother and her partner in having the birth experience they desire. Doulas are there to support families by providing ideas and knowledge.
A doula will support you through all of your birth desires, be that medicated or un-medicated. They can also help support families through unexpected events in their birth such as the need for interventions or a cesarean section.
Benefits of a Doula
Studies have found the benefits of having a Doula include:
- Shorter labors
- Lower levels of fear and anxiety
- Less need for pain medication or epidurals
- Fewer complications
- Fewer cesarean deliveries
- Less need for intervention such as forceps or vacuum
- Improved communication with the medical team
- Lowered chances of postpartum depression
- Greater satisfaction with childbirth
- Increased rates of breastfeeding
- Mother-infant interaction is enhanced
- Fathers stay more involved