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LABOR ASSISTANT/DOULA in Ventura, CA and Ventura County
Helen Loucado RN is a professional labor assistant (doula) certified through the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE - now called The Organization for Labor Assistants and Birth Options Resources- toLabor) since 2000. Helen is also a professional Midwife's Assistant assisting at home births and births at a freestanding birth center. She has attended more than 150 births in a variety of settings.
Her labor support / doula services are intended to support both mother and partner during the birthing process and the immediate postpartum time through education, comfort measures during labor, emotional and physical support. Helen supports women in being their own advocate, their right to choose birthing options and make decisions about their own labors. She bases her approach on the midwifery model of care and brings a calm heart and loving hands to her work. As a registered nurse, Helen is also well versed in the medical model and is able to fully function within that model maintaining professional behavior while being fully committed to "mothering the mother". Helen provides non judgemental support of your personal birthing choices. She provides respectful, calm, gentle, confident support. Her extensive birth experience and knowledge make a difference in the care you will receive.
 Mothers who are planning to have an epidural also benefit from doula care. You will probably need to labor for a bit before you can get your epidural. Doulas can help you to cope until you can receive the epidural. Doula support can help you stay connected to your experience. Sometimes the epidural is not as effective as hoped and a doula can help you cope with that circumstance. Certainly, doulas support the entire birth process whatever direction it may take as well as offer postpatum assistance.
Helen is a licensed massage therapist certified in Pregnancy Massage. She has been teaching birth classes since 1999. She is a certifed Lactation Counselor able to support breastfeeding and assist you with the typical challenges of a new mother. She can refer you to a specialist in breastfeeding if you experience more complex issues. As a doula, Helen's well rounded qualifications, love for this work, and her concern for you can help you in your efforts to have a satisfying birth experience.
Studies have shown that the presence of a doula during labor and birth results in fewer Cesarean births, fewer episiotomies, improved neonatal outcomes, and greater maternal satisfaction.
Labor assistant services offered through Maternal Instincts include two prenatal consultations, continual availability for phone consultation including post partum, continual physical presence when summoned during labor, postpartum care, assistance with breastfeeding, and at least one postpartum follow-up visit.
Helen has a large lending library of books and videos available to her clients.
To make an interview appointment or for more information about doula services and fees, click - Contact us (above)
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