I believe that pregnancy is a special time and that birth forever shapes and influences a woman. It is her birth, so it is she who should make the decisions (yes, midwives and doctors are a big role in influencing those decisions). As a doula, my job would be to uphold the mom's decisions, support her in labor and delivery, encourage and offer suggestions to the mom and dad, and just be there for both the laboring mom and dad. (Yes, the dad is in labor too!)
I sent in my application to be certified and should be Danielle Wilson, CD(DONA) by May. I have already attended 13 births. Until I take a break from practicing next month, I will only charge $100 for my services, which will include one-three prenatal visits (visits to your home so we can get to know each other), coming either to your home and helping with comfort measures before heading to the hospital/birthing center or meeting you at the hospital/birthing center when you are in labor, any photography you would like of the labor, birth, immediate postpartum, or newborn, a follow-up visit the next day, and a postpartum visit to your home a week of two after the birth.
For more information about doulas, please check out: http://www.dona.org/ or read the book The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion can Help you have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell and Phyllis H. Klaus (available at amazon.com)
If you don't think a doula is for you, I would recommend that you (or at least your support person) read The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simpkin (also available at amazon.com)
I would also really highly recommend the documentary, The Business of Being Born directed by Abby Epstein and produced by Ricki Lake (available at http://thebusinessofbeingborn.com/index.php)
Thank you and may you have a blessed birth!
