Being Born: The Doula's Role

by Jewel Hernandez, R. Michael Mithuna (Illustrator)

Overview

#A doula is a healthcare professional who offers educational, physical, emotional and practical support to a pregnant woman -- before, during and after the birth of her child. Whether the birth takes place with a doctor in a hospital or birthing center, or at home with a midwife, a doula is always a valuable asset to any birth team. Research confirms that the support of a doula throughout pregnancy optimizes a woman's chances of having a healthier birth experience as well as a healthier newborn.

Into Waiting Hands is a picture book for expectant parents and their young children. It gives a warm and friendly overview of a doula's role, stressing the advantages of a doula's help. When read to younger siblings, it is a source of comfort to those who wonder about all the people involved when mom is "having a baby."

This book celebrates birth - as a natural and whole-family experience. Both its text and images present the subject clearly, but in child-appropriate language. It's simple presentation of a doula's role make Waiting Hands an invaluable resource for childbirth educators to use with teenage mothers and with families for whom English is a second language.

This book is unique - fills an important need. No simple picture-book on the subject of doulas is currently in print. Many adult books discuss the work of the doula in detail, there is nothing for children or less sophisticated readers. Unlike most books on childbirth (for children or adults) Waiting Hands acknowledges that birth takes place in a variety of settings with a variety of caregivers - not just in hospitals with doctors, which is a peculiarly deep seated tradition of the United States.

The author is currently practicing as a doula, and has been involved in the birthing community for the past twenty years. She has kept me current with trends and changes over the years through the media, conference attendance, personal study, and in conversations with families in her role of doula and/or midwife. Jewel Hernandez has active participated in 250 births as a doula and midwife assignment.

#Carole Hillsbery has been painting in watercolor for over twenty-five years. Winner of numerous awards, Carole is an art instructor, and a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the Arizona Artist's Guild. Her work can be seen at www.carolehillsbery.com

#Jewel Hernandez is a certified doula (with DONA - Doulas of North America), and a midwifery intern (Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery). She received her bachelor's degree in Studio Art from the College of St. Rose, and was the illustrator for a previous Hohm Press book, Rosie the Shopping Cart Lady. Jewel has been passionate about childbirth since the birth of her first child, twenty-five years ago. To date she has attended over 250 births, and she continues to amazed and awed by the process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781890772833
Publisher:	Hohm Press
Publication date:	10/01/2008
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jewel Hernandez is a certified doula (with DONA - Doulas of North America), and a midwifery intern (Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery). She received her bachelor's degree in Studio Art from the College of St. Rose, and was the illustrator for a previous Hohm Press book, Rosie the Shopping Cart Lady. Jewel has been passionate about childbirth since the birth of her first child, twenty-five years ago. To date she has attended over 250 births, and she continues to amazed and awed by the process.

R. Michael Mithuna is an Arizona artist, specializing in watercolors. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Arizona State University. His work has been featured in galleries in Scottsdale and in Northern Arizona. He is a 5th Dan Aikido Sensei.

Read an Excerpt

Every day all over the world, babies are being born.

Some are born in grass huts, some in tall brick buildings. Some are born in stone houses, some in houses made of wood.

Some babies are born on the floor, some on beds, and some babies are even born underwater.

Almost all babies are born into the waiting hands of doctors or midwives, fathers or nurses, mothers or grandmothers, sisters or friends.

There is a special person who helps a family when they are going to have a baby. She is called a doula.

A doula might be a sister or a grandmother or an aunt or a friend. Some doulas are paid. Some doulas are volunteers.

It is important for the doula to know what mother likes and dislikes. She find this out by meeting with the family a few times before their baby is born.

Sometimes the doula helps the family before the baby is born. She does chores, or cooks, or cares for small children so that mother can get extra rest.

When mother feels her body begin the work of birthing, she calls the doula. Sometimes the doula is called early and sometimes later.

Once the doula comes, she doesn't leave mother until after the baby is born.

What does the doula do? She answers mother's questions. She holds her hand, wipes her face, gives her water, helps her shower, presses on her back, encourages her, sings to her, rocks with her, and never lets mother forget that she can birth her baby.

After babies are born, they usually want to nurse. Sometimes mother is tired from the hard work she has done. The doula can help guide the baby to mother's breast.

The doula answers mother's questions. When mother and baby are comfortable, she says "good-bye, and thank you for letting me be at this birth."

The doula usually visits the family after the baby is born. She shares her story of the birth and any pictures she may have taken. She answers questions about new babies and nursing. She might even do a load of laundry.

A doula is a very special person. Every woman should have a doula, or someone like her, when she has a baby.