I am a new doula who has only been paid for a couple of births. I was wondering where I can get new ideas/info for comfort measures. I already use position changes, hot/cold compresses, relaxing music, etc. I would like to be up to date so I can offer my clients some new and interesting options. Also, I would like more info on massage therapy if possible. Could you recommend any books/classes? Thank you so much for your help. Sincerely, Tesa

-- Tesa Hardesty (geosty@bellsouth.net), December 30, 1999

Answers

I would recommend Polly Perez's book The Nurturing Touch at Birth and also Pam England's Birthing From Within. Both have wonderful ideas for expanding your doula skills. I also have found that for mayself I learn so much from attending workshops and trainings - anything that has to do with birthing. It keeps me inspired.

Lesley

-- Lesley Nelson (lesley@doula.net), December 31, 1999.

I would like to recommend a video called Comfort Measures in Childbirth, it is by Penny Simkin. It is available through the cutting edge press websight. I am a doula in trainig, and this video was shared with me by my doula. We found some realy great techniques in it, and even my doula who has 10 yrs experience and was trained by Penny learned some new stuff from the video. I thought the video was great!!!

-- Amie Rath (dsuper.raths@gte.net), February 17, 2000.

Tesa,

I was a massage therapist before becoming a doula and I highly recommend getting some training in massage if you feel like it would add to your practice. I know that most of my clients chose me as their doula because I also have massage and aromatherapy training. There are some great training programs on helping women with massage in labor. You can become a Massage Birth Assitant through Bodyworkers Association for the Birthing Year (BABY, Inc.)at www.babyinc.org, or you can contact the National Association of Pregnancy Massage Therapists (NAPMT), but you do have to be a certified massage therapist to take NAPMT training.

I live in St. Louis, MO and teach a weekend class on prenatal and postpartum massage for massage therapists, doulas, nurses, etc. You might try contacting a local massage school in your area and seeing if they offer such a class.

Good luck!

Teri

-- Teri Brickey (TBrickey@juno.com), March 03, 2001.