Welcome to Passionate about Birth!
The birth process is much more than conceiving, growing a baby, giving birth and parenting. I'm a Halifax, Nova Scotia based birth doula and Lamaze birth educator and I believe the way in which we experience the birthing process influences how we shape our children's future. I trust you will find the information on this site beneficial as you become an active participant in your birth process.
What is a Birth Doula?
A birth doula accompanies an expectant woman in labour and mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional and physical needs throughout the childbirth process. A birth doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth together, as new parents.
Numerous studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth can: result in fewer birth complications, reduce negative feelings about one’s experience, and reduce the need for medical interventions during labour.
My vision is women and couples having the knowledge, skills and confidence that enable them to be actively involved in their birth process and to make choices that are appropriate for themselves and their baby.
As a Certified Birth Doula and a Certified Lamaze Birth Educator I:
- View pregnancy, birth, lactation and parenting as a normal healthy process.
- Encourage women to build self confidence and to trust their body's natural ability to grow, nourish, birth and breastfeed their baby.
- Encourage partners to expand on their skills and build confidence to support the one they love through pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.
- Encourage couples to embrace this time of transition and to be active participants in creating their future.
Karen Reed is a Halifax, Nova Scotia based, certified birth doula and Lamaze birth educator. Karen provides birth doula services and Lamaze birth classes to pregnant women and their families in the Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia area.