Kelly Hartzel

Pregnancy, Labor Assistance & Postpartum Services

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Offering support and education for birth and beyond...

Welcome!  I am pleased to offer my services to Southeast Michigan.  I have been providing support for expecting parents since 2001.  Interested in more information or a FREE consultation, please contact me.

What is a labor assistant?

A labor assistant or often called a doula, which is a Greek word for "servant". It stands for "one who mothers the mother". For eons across the world, women have been present to meet the needs of laboring women. Even in the smallest of villages or tribes, usually there has been at least one woman who could be counted on to act as labor support. We are known by many names, but now we are known most commonly as a "doula".

A doula provides support to the expecting family and helps parents prepare for the birth of their baby.  Doulas offer one-on-one labor support at the time of birth and can assist the family after her baby is born.

A doula does not take the place of other family members who you may want at the birth.  The doula can show them how to help you when you are in labor and help them to be involved as much as you want them to be.

What does a labor assistant do?

  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of women in labor

  • Assists women in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth

  • Stays with the woman throughout her labor

  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, and helps the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions

  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers

  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience

  • Allows the woman's partner to participate at their own comfort level

Benefits of a labor assistance:

  • 60% Reduction in epidural anesthesia requests 

  • 50% Reduction in cesarean section rates

  • 40% Reduction in pitocin use

  • 40% Reduction in forceps and other assisted deliveries

  • 30% Reduction in analgesia use

  • 25% Shorter Labors

  • Fewer cases of postpartum mood disorders

  • Increased successful breastfeeding

  • Better mother-infant interaction

  • Greater overall satisfaction with the birth experience

  • Increased sense of self-confidence and feeling of empowerment for mother

  • Increased confidence and participation by the partner

Kelly Hartzel ◆ 586-321-4980 ◆ DoulaKelly@gmail.com

Last Modified 05/28/2008