Doula services now available in Warwick

Warwick — Rachel Durland of Warwick dreamed of helping women to deliver their babies. Now, she’s doing that as a certified doula and through her new business in Warwick called Picture Perfect Birthing. A doula refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after the birth; and/or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Durland explained that the role of the doula is to assist with physical comfort measures during the labor process, facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her care providers, and helping the woman to prepare for and carry out her birthing plans. The doula is also helpful to the woman’s partner, providing an opportunity to relax and participate at his or her own comfort level. As the owner of At Home Portraits, where, for over 10 years, she has taken photographs for the Warwick schools, the athletics departments and for hundreds of families in the Warwick community. “I loved taking photographs and seeing all of those smiling faces. It allowed me to explore another aspect of my creativity,” she said, referring also to her previous years as a jewelry designer. “But while I loved what I did, I always knew that there was something I wanted to do that would have a greater impact in people’s lives and for me, being a doula is that something.” Durland recently received her certification with DONA International. In addition to her doula services, She is also a certified childbirth educator, and is qualified through International Childbirth Education Association. She also works as a perinatal educator for Maternal Infant Services Network (www.misn-ny.org) and volunteers her doula services to a women’s shelter in New Jersey for pregnant teens. “I believe strongly that every woman deserves to have the kind of birth experience she imagines for herself,” said Durland. “As a doula, I don’t come in with any agenda; I am just there to assist the woman and her family with their needs and to see that they have the best possible experience,” she explains. To learn more, visit www.pictureperfectbirthing.com or call 986-1966.