Fiona Cottrell
Saugerties, NY
Doula since 1999

As a birth Doula I provide physical, emotional and informational support for expectant parents. Labor and birth can be an overwhelming experience for first-time parents, so my goal is to help ease the transition from couple into family.

I have found that a larger part of the medical community welcomes Doulas into the birth process. It's all about having the best outcome for moms, partners and babies.

During labor I stay with laboring Moms and suggest positions to help the baby decend thus shortening labor and offer comfort measures to help ease contractions. I encourage partners to get involved as much as posible, most often I just give them a 'smidge' of encouragement and off they go! It's not my position to dictate how a woman labors. I'm simply there to help. I tell partners that they know their wives likes and dislikes best and if she likes her back rubbed a certain way then go for it!

If a Cesarean birth becomes necessary I can still create some comfort. The key to labor and birth is relaxation, even when a woman chooses medication or has a Cesarean birth. I will help a laboring Mom relax with guided vizualization while the medical staff are busy doing their work and can take pictures of the baby during the first precious moments.

Another key part of the transition is postpartum care. When a mother comes home from the hospital, it can be quite a challenge to re-acclimate with a newborn. My role is to continue the support from birth into daily life.

There my role can adjust to the parents needs. I address the needs of the mother, allowing her to sleep, eat and bathe so she can focus her energy on bonding with her new baby.

I do my best to take care of life around them while they get to know their newborn. Caring for women during labor, birth and beyond is what I love to do.

I look forward to meeting and working with new families. It's so rewarding to watch a new family emerge and it warms a place in my heart. Life is a miracle and I am so priviledged to be a part of this beginning.

Did someone say "Doula?"

Fiona and a contented "client."

Born and raised in the UK, Fiona moved to the US in 1984. She gave birth to her daughter Brittany Rose in 1991.

In 1998 a friend who recognized her connection with babies suggested looking into becoming a Doula. It was the beginning of a journey that would forever change her life.

As a result, in January of 1999 she began her training with DONA (Doulas of North America) near Daytona Beach, Florida to become a Doula. In addition, she has attended many workshops, trainings and seminars around the country.
She loves what she does and has many satisfied parents as a result.
Fiona currently works part time as an OB Tech at the Nuegarten Birth Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital and is the founder of Hudson Valley Birth Professionals.

For more information about Fiona visit her website
www.babymoon.org