education

Tranquil Transitions Doula Care

Whenever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life.
—Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

Women have always helped women give birth. Traditionally, laboring women were surrounded by family members and experienced women from the community. As childbirth became the domain of the medical profession and women moved into hospitals for birth, women lost their vital connection to one another during this time of intense physical, emotional and spiritual work.

A doula is trained to understand the natural process of birth, respect its spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects, and facilitate the birth experience for parents, baby, and primary care providers. Studies show that the presence of a doula results in shorter labor, a reduced need for pain medication, and improved outcomes for both mother and baby. Click here to read a scientific abstract about the medical benefits of having a doula.

Tranquil Transitions Doula Care is the combined effort of two moms and ALACE trained doulas, Carmen Cosby and Carrie Mullens. Working together as a team, we are able to provide better service to our clients. Pregnancy and birth can be joyous, exhilarating, and even frightening. Our mission is to help all women give birth with confidence, strength, and joy by empowering and educating them and supporting them in their informed choices.

Why hire an ALACE doula?

ALACE doulas are known for their trusting support of the natural birth process. ALACE doulas are trained using a program which incorporates research in psychology, sociology, and anthropology but above all has been developed and guided principally by women. We respect birth as an intimate act and a creative expression of love. We believe that it is possible to help strengthen family bonds through improving the experience of birth.

Tranquil Transitions Doula Care offers pregnant women and their partners the oportunity to learn about pregnancy and birth from a professional childbirth educator; Carmen's Comprehensive Childbirth and Newborn Care Classes are offered at half price to our doula clients.

Why attend an ALACE childbirth class

ALACE childbirth educators seek to help all women experience birth's transforming power with respect and dignity, support, and confidence. Carmen empowers women and their families to choose what is best for them by informing them of their options surrounding labor and birth. Carmen has a holistic perspective of birth, and view birth as a women-centered process. Her goal is to help women reclaim trust in their ability to safely and dependably give birth.

As a client of Tranquil Transitions Doula Care, you can expect at least one prenatal visit to your home by both Carmen and Carrie. We enjoy meeting with you in your home environment because we will encourage you to stay home as long as you are comfortable during your labor. This personal meeting also allows us to speak with you privately about your expectations for birth, practice relaxation and breathing techniques, as well as positions and places in your home where you may find comfort during labor.

Tranquil Transitions Doula Care provides continuous care for the laboring woman and her partner, and helps them fully experience their birth by offering physical and emotional support. Working as a team allows Carmen and Carrie to be available at a moments notice for your labor and provide back up for one another in the event of a long labor. You can be assured that your doulas are well-rested and one of us will be with you and your partner during your entire active labor, and immediately afterward to help initiate breastfeeding.

We will begin adding to the tranquil transition from hospital to home by one of us visiting you in the hospital the day after your birth to answer any questions and support your breastfeeding efforts. In the first few days at home, one of us will bring you dinner and spend quiet time with you answering any postpartum concerns. A few days later, the other one of us will call to bring you dinner again and visit to support, help or answer questions you may have.

At any time before or after baby's birth, we are available by phone to answer questions and provide resources.

If you are interested in hiring us as your Doula team for your upcoming birth, please contact Carmen at (910) 409-1896 or Carrie at (910) 409-4749 or by email tranquiltransitions@live.com. We will gladly set up a time to come to your home for an interview at no charge.

Our fee for doula services is $650.00 due prior to your 36th week of pregnancy. A non-refundable $100 deposit toward the $650 fee must be made in order to secure this service, as we only take a limited number of births per month. We can accept cash, check, all credit cards, and can accommodate a payment plan which includes others helping pay for your doula service as a gift!

“Carmen's First Doula Experience”
I began my Doula practice as a child with the cooperation of my two sisters and a couple of pillows. Although my technique was primitive back then, just bubbles and a charm on the end of a string, it was a start.

Why Choose a Doula?

Pregnant women today often find themselves without ties to female relatives who can reliably teach them what to expect from childbearing. Knowledgeable labor assistants/doulas can do a great deal to provide pregnant women with information and practical alternatives so that they may give birth with confidence, strength and joy. Laboring women who feel confident and supported are much more likely to achieve satisfying outcomes than women without such support. ALACE Labor Assistants/Doulas are trained to support women and their families by:

Helping expectant parents formulate what is important to them during labor and birth, and working cooperatively within the birth team to help realize these goals.
Providing practical suggestions for working with contractions and pain to help mothers relax, including emotional support, variations in position, touch and massage, and other labor support techniques.
Helping the mother’s partner/spouse participate more fully in the experience by augmenting their ability to provide support.
Supporting and encouraging woman-centered, non-technical childbirth as the safest possible choice for mothers and babies.
When technology and/or medication are truly indicated, supporting the family in their choices, staying with them when changes or unexpected outcomes occur.

Advantages of Labor Support

50% decrease in cesarean sections
25% decrease in length of labor
30% decrease in use of forceps
40% decrease in use of oxytocin
60% decrease in use of epidurals
30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics)

In addition, long-term benefits of labor support include:
Improved Breastfeeding
Decreased Postpartum Depression
Greater Maternal Satisfaction
Better Mother-Infant Interaction
(Compiled from Mothering the Mother by MH Klaus, JH Kennell, and PH Klaus; Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.)

To find out more about local doulas in the Wilmington area log on to www.CapeFearAreaDoulas.org

Quotes from Women who chose Carmen as their Doula

"I don't think I could have done natural childbirth without Carmen. When I was in doubt, she reassured me; when I was uncomfortable, she helped me change positions; when I gave birth, she expressed how proud she was of me. Carmen made the birth of my first child an AMAZING experience." Beth M.

"Carmen was instrumental in our successful natural birth... During our birth, ... Carmen's calm voice and unwavering belief in my ability to do this monumental thing helped me believe I could do it, especially when I was scared and unsure of myself. She was the main source of emotional and physical support throughout the birth." Nicole H.

"I feel that Carmen has been invaluable to my beginning the journey of Motherhood peacefully and happily." Kristen G.

"My doula was most helpful because she provided the support and encouragement that I needed at the time. She was very confident with her skills." Sarah M.

"I felt fully informed and confident when I went through labor and delivery. I felt comfortable and encouraged by having a doula. I think you have found what you are meant to do. You are a wonderful doula.“ Melissa P.