Doula Options
A doula is a labor support professional whose expertise is providing emotional and physical support to the mother and her partner throughout the pregnancy, during labor and the postpartum period.
While a doula does not provide any medical care, they work closely with the nurse and physician to optimize the birth process and experience. Doula care has been shown to decrease the chance a mother will need a cesarean section and they also improve the birth experience.
At Natividad, we support and encourage women and their families to bring a doula of their choice to participate in their care.
“I chose Natividad for my third birth because I wanted labor options and my desire for a natural birth to be respected. Natividad’s low cesarean rate and support of midwifery care made the decision easy. With support from my husband, midwife, physician, and doula we welcomed our 11lb 5oz son after laboring using movement, hydrotherapy, and upright pushing positions. Being an informed consumer helped us achieve the positive birth we desired.”
— Cori Gentry, mom of 4, Natural Childbirth Educator, President of the Birth Network of Monterey County