Professional Labor Support with a Personal Touch Want to have a trained labor support person (a doula) at your birth? Having a doula at her birth has been shown in numerous studies to increase a laboring woman's comfort, promote bonding with her baby, ease establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding, as well as dramatically reduce her desire for and use of pain medications, medical interventions, and need for cesarean section. Your doula's goal is to understand the type of birth you want to have and to help you meet your goals.
'Doula' means servant
For first time parents especially, the process of birth is unfamiliar and can be overwhelming. Having a trained, knowledgeable person as your personal masseuse, gofer, advisor, extra set of hands, or just a friendly, encouraging presence can make an incredible difference to both mother and father. Not a replacement for the father, the doula's job is to add additional support to that given by the father, and to free him up to give the type of support that comes naturally to him.
Certified Doula Affiliates Program!
St. Croix Birth & Parenting now provides information about services offered by Christian certified doulas who share our
Philosophy of Care. We are excited to offer this opportunity for women in our area!
Catherine McDonald (Hudson, WI)
Certified Doula candidate (DONA); St Croix Birth & Parenting-affiliated Doula
Catherine offers full doula services, including 2 lengthy prenatal visits, continuous support throughout active labor and birth, and 2 postpartum visits. She provides a variety of services, including emotional and physical support, massage, comfort, suggestions for relaxation and pain coping tools and strategies (including back pain), digital photography, prayers, baby blessings, newborn care counsel, postpartum care, and breastfeeding counsel. Her independent doula practice is called, "A Doula for You," and her motto is, "Every mother deserves the very best." Catherine generously volunteers her doula expertise, if needed.
"My passion in life is to educate women about their bodies and how God has designed them to work, empowering women to make choices surrounding their birth experience with confidence. I am a Christian wife and mother of 2 boys who are full time in school now. We have lived in Hudson, WI since 1999 along with my husband's family. I love to garden, cook gourmet food, photograph nature and read books."
Catherine agrees with the St Croix Birth & Parenting Philosophies of Care:
Catherine's contact information is located on our "Resources" page, under Pregnancy & Birth, in the Doulas section. Click here.