Welcome to Belly Love!
Valerie Wezran, Childbirth Educator & Certified Birth Doula


* EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THEIR SACRED JOURNEY THROUGH CHILDBIRTH

Childbirth is one of the most momentous and sacred experiences a woman and her family can navigate in life.  From pregnancy and birth, a woman blossoms into a mother and families grow.  It is at this time that support and encouragement can last a woman and her partner a lifetime of fond memories of the day their baby was welcomed to the world. 

While each and every birth is unique and special, women throughout the world share the common bond of  the childbirth experience.  As a doula, I offer emotional, physical and informational support to expectant families under the philosophy that it truly does take a village of nurturing individuals to bring life into the world in a respectful manner.  The powerful connection and understanding of women helping women is what leads me in providing compassionate care to expectant families.

 I believe that every woman has the right to make decisions about her body, her birth experience and her baby.  It is her unique path.  The birth experience belongs solely to her and her family; this is what I strive to protect.  As a doula and childbirth educator, I advocate for the expectant mother and the choices that are rightfully hers.  I am passionate about providing evidence-based information to mothers so that they are able to make decisions based on informed consent, thereby taking control of her birth.

I also strive to empower women in the birth experience by encouraging her belief and confidence in her body's ability and in acceptance of events surrounding her unique birth.


WHAT IS A DOULA?

Doula (doo-luh), n.  A woman experienced in childbirth who provides information, physical and emotional support to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth

("doula." Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary)

As a doula, I do NOT replace the expectant mother's partner.  The role of the doula is to support and assist the laboring mother and her family through the birth process.  The only instance in which my role as doula would be as partner would be in the absence of the partner and all parties are agreed upon my role.

As a doula, I do stay on-call for your labor and delivery until you have your baby.  The role of the doula IS to offer her knowledge, expertise, comfort and support at any hour of the day. 


HOW CAN A DOULA ENHANCE MY BIRTH EXPERIENCE?

Having a doula present during labor and delivery
has been proven in clinical studies to:

* Shorten the number of laboring hours up to 25%
* Reduce requests for pain medication by 30%, epidurals by 60%
* Reduce the incidence of cesareans by 50%
* Reduce the number of birth complications
* Increase bonding time between mother and baby
* Initiate breastfeeding with greater success
* Decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression

(Klaus, Marshall, John Kennell and Phyllis Klaus. The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth. 2002.)


www.bellylovedoulas.com       (312) 927-0074      valerie@bellylovedoulas.com

All content Copyright 2009 Belly Love