My Birth By Design is a Professional Labour Assistant (also known as a doula or monitrice), Childbirth Education, Postpartum Support, Breastfeeding education and support, Happiest Baby on the Block instruction, and future Homebirth Midwifery practice. Jennifer McFarland is a Certified Labor Doula, Certified Happiest Baby on the Block Instructor, Medical Assistant, Monitrice, Breastfeeding Supporter, Apprentice Midwife, and Certified Childbirth Educator (CIBI Imagery Birthing). If you are looking for a Homebirth Midwife, Doula, Monitrice, Happiest Baby on the Block Instructor, or Childbirth Educator in the Pocono area or just want to know more about Doulas or Midwifery, then this is the site for you!

Currently I am not taking on any hospital doula clients, due to my exciting new apprenticeship opportunity. I am working towards the completion of my certification requirements through NARM for becoming a Certified Professional Midwife. If you are looking to have a homebirth, please feel free to contact me and we can discuss your options. Or if you are wanting referrals to other area doulas, I can assist you with that.

So, who needs a doula? You do! A common misconception is that only those experiencing labour for the first time or wanting an unmedicated birth seek out a doula or montrice. A Professional Labour Assistant (doula) can be beneficial in the home, hospital, or birth center setting. I would be there to help you obtain the type of birth that you desire, not the birth that I desire. A Doula understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. Doulas believe that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural and healthy processes. This includes preparation for birth, helping the laboring woman with encouragement, comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and an objective viewpoint, as well as support after childbirth, such as help with breastfeeding. The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

Monitrice definition: a non-medical attendant with assessment, clinical skills; serving the expectant or new mother during the childbearing year. Her skills include observing vital signs on mother, fetal heart tones on baby, vaginal exams for progress of labor, newborn assessment and care (postpartum doula skills), breastfeeding help, and prenatal education. These skills are performed during prenatal and postpartum visits; as well as, during labor at home. The monitrice does not perform these tasks at the hospital, birthing center, or when the midwife has come to your home unless the caregiver consents.

Benefits of having a professional labour support person: reduction in labour time (25%), less pain medication (30%) and epidurals (60%) requested, decreased chances of cesarean section (50%), reduced use of forceps or vacuum extraction (30%), decreased use of artificial oxytocin to speed labour (40%), mothers feel more in control and less anxious, increased chances of successful breastfeeding, greater satisfaction with childbirth, resulting in a more positive birth experience and reduced incidence of postpartum depression -Mothering the Mother, M. Klaus MD, P. Klaus, and Kennel MD

Disclaimer: The materials provided at this site are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional. My Birth By Design has nothing to do with and does not support the methods outlined in the book "Birth By Design" by the Ezzos. For more information on why I do not support the Ezzos look here: http://www.ezzo.info/