Polson’s Rowe offers doula services
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POLSON — What is a doula?
Doula, a Greek word, technically means female servant, but Brianna Rowe said it really is a woman helping another woman have the birth she wants.
Rowe, a certified doula and a licensed and certified massage therapist, is the only doula between Somers and Arlee. She owns Satori Massage and Doula at 6 Third Ave. W in Polson.
“I’m hired by the mom for support — emotional, physical, nutritional, informational and positional,” Rowe explained, adding that the husband or partner and Rowe form a support system for the mother.
“The moment they hire me, I’m there for 24/seven support. If they have a question or if they want me to go a doctor’s appointment with them, I’m there,” Rowe continued.
Many people think as a doula she is “hard core, earthy, no drugs,” but Rowe said she is there to assist the mom.
“If she wants an epidural, that’s okay with me,” Rowe said.
She is there for the laboring mom when she’s “dilated to 4 cm. through the first breastfeeding; 24/7 or until they are ready for me to leave.”
A doula also helps ease the transition to the hospital and is an advocate for the laboring mom during staff changes.
For new parents, Rowe also offers healing care, postpartum, helping with light housekeeping, running errands, grocery shopping, etc.
Having always done prenatal massage, she became interested in becoming a doula when her cousin had her baby and when Rowe’s own baby was born. Since winters are slower for massage customers, Rowe stayed home with toddler Rayne last winter and took doula certification online. Offered by Childbirth International, the course was extensive according to Rowe with a huge psychology component. She had two years to complete her studies, but she finished in only four months because she “loves to learn.”
To become a certified doula, Rowe had to support two women as they gave birth.
Michelle Shizuku was one of the women Rowe worked with. Rowe’s doula role helped prepare Shizuku before labor and the birth of her daughter and helped her achieve her goal of a natural birth.
“It helped me remind myself that my body was designed to do this,” Shizuku explained. “There’s nothing you do that’s more natural as a woman.”
To reach Rowe, call 253-4968.
