Maywood—After Tracee Gonzalez had her first baby, she found herself busy with many of the regular things new parents face: newborn questions, returning to work and balancing her new life. Gonzalez knew instinctively that resources are available for women like her, but was unsure where to find the postpartum support she was looking for.
Gonzalez had taught for 10 years prior to the birth of her daughter, and, after time off, returned to work. After finding that the resources she had been looking for were available through the services of a doula, she was inspired to become a birth doula part time. Now a mother of three, she is a doula full time, using her education skills in this role as well.
Michelle Radice began her career in human resources and organizational psychology, though she eventually left that to open up a 3-D/4-D imaging center. Radice, too, noticed a dearth of options for women during pregnancy, delivery and afterwards.
Dayna Berger, also a mother of three, was looking “to create a business that can make a positive impact on expectant families and new parents.” After meeting Radice and Gonzalez, the three found that they shared a common interest in the “many avenues of the birthing field,” and together the three women founded Premier Doulas.
“The goal of a doula is to support the mother and her family in any way they need,” explained Radice. “A doula is there to educate on all options, and stand behind whatever decision the mother makes,” she continued. The women of Premier Doulas are aware of many preconceived mindsets people have, both toward or against, the idea of a doula, and they are prepared to address them. Many are misconceptions they had themselves before pursuing professions in the field.
“When people hear someone is using a doula, they have an image of a woman choosing to deliver at home without any drugs; the real crunchy type,” Radice said. “In reality, though, most of our clients have typical hospital births, with varying birth plans,” she remarked. Radice explained how mothers of all different types of deliveries reach out to a doula as someone they look to for support and education. A mother may choose to have a doula even in the case of a c-section. As in all deliveries, the doula will go with the parents to the hospital, and provide calming support, massage and warm touch. Doulas will go into the operating room with the mother, and in the event that the spouse has to leave, the doula still stays. If a mother is interested in skin to skin contact or breastfeeding right after birth, the doula will advocate for the mother to ensure her wishes are attended to.
Whether a mother chooses to deliver naturally, with drugs or without, plans for a c-section, or ends up having an emergency c-section, the staff of Premier Doulas will have met with the mother before to discuss a plan, listen to her requests and communicate her requests to the medical team at the time of delivery. Requests range from creating an environment, such as asking the doctors to refrain from personal conversation during surgery or delivery, to helping manage nausea and pain, and making the mother aware of her options.
Premier Doulas looks to support the mother and her partner every step of the way. In addition to doula services offered during delivery, they also offer prenatal and postpartum support, as well as breastfeeding support and newborn education, which includes helping the parents learn sleep and hunger cues.
“It is so special, to be part of this wonderful time in parents’ lives, a time of discovery and new experiences,” said Radice.
Premier Doulas is centrally located in Maywood, and serves the Northern New Jersey and surrounding areas. For questions or to contact the staff at Premier Doulas for a free consultation, visit them online at www.premierdoulas.com, or call (201)494-4886.
By Jenny Gans
