Becoming parents for the very first time can be quite scary. Fear, anxiety, and overwhelm are some of the challenges you will face. Whether you’re an expectant mother, in your postpartum stage, or overcoming a miscarriage or loss, you’ll definitely need someone whom you can trust, provide support and inform you about the options and decisions you’ll have to make.

You might consider hiring your very own doula.

Doulas are trained, non-medical companions who can help you before, during, and after birth, as well as in the early postpartum period. They are trained to provide you emotional, physical, and educational support especially to new and expectant parents for them to have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable birthing experience.

This week, I’ve invited Suzanne Ledbetter, a certified birth doula who can share with us what a doula is and the benefits they provide for parents. She discusses the difference between birth doula and midwives, the different types of doula, and how someone can become an effective doula.

If you’re a family looking for the perfect doula to match your lifestyle and expectations or if you’re a doula who looks for families to support, click here.

Memorable Quotes:

• Giving our service to others is being able to connect with others in a much deeper way. - Dr. Jette Gabiola
• Contribution to life beyond oneself is a fulfilling service and can be in any form. - Dr. Jette Gabiola
• Everybody has the ability to be a doula, it's a matter of learning what's out there and learning the different options. - Suzanne Ledbetter
• There's a group called “evidence-based birth”, who does the research and has the information. We give that to our clients a lot so that they can make their decision evidence-based. - Suzanne Ledbetter
• Part of postpartum depression is that you get so overwhelmed with all of the hormonal changes. - Suzanne Ledbetter

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Open Arms
• Doula Match

About the Guests:

Suzanne Ledbetter is a birth doula, a mother of three, and a birth photographer in Seattle. She is passionate about helping families have the very best experience in welcoming their newborns.

Follow Suzanne Ledbetter on:

• Doula Profile

About the Host:

Dr. Jette Gabiola is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

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