Surrey Birth Doula at Work

Brooke Larsen, Now Contributor

Coach, cheerleader, advisor, comforter - Renee Tesch is all of these things to the women she helps through child birth.

Tesch is a doula, a birthing expert who provides physical and emotional support before, during and after the big day.

"The idea behind being a doula is a fairly old one - women helping women give birth," Tesch says.

During labour Tesch massages the expectant mother, helps her with labour-enhancing positions, and makes her as comfortable as possible.

Doulas don't perform medical procedures - they aren't doctors or nurses. Rather they are part of a team that can include doctors, midwives, nurses and the father-to-be.

Before labour Tesch discusses birthing options with the expectant parents.

"We talk about where they want to have the baby and how they want to handle pain," Tesch explains. "Most women who choose a doula want a fairly natural birthing process."

Terri is one of these women - she gave birth to Amaryllis Eileen Wild at her Surrey home last month.

She spent several of her 10 hours of labour in the bath tub, assisted by Tesch, two midwives and her husband, Tony.

"I didn't want a medicalized birth. I felt strongly that it should be at home," Terri said.

And she did it all without painkillers.

"People love to distance themselves from pain, and I didn't want to do that," she said. "I wanted to be right in the thick of things."

For more information on birth doulas, see www.heartsouldoula.com.

The Now Newspaper 07/06/2005