Using the services of a doula and/or childbirth educator
may help relieve feelings of anxiety and uneasiness. A doula
is a non-medical practitioner who is educated and trained
in the childbirth experience, and provides informational,
emotional, and physical support to women during pregnancy
and childbirth. Childbirth educators are trained extensively
and instruct expectant parents on pain management and
relaxation techniques, stages of labor and delivery, care of
the infant, and common hospital procedures. They may also
be able to provide information on CAM therapies including
prenatal massage therapy, aromatherapy, the technique of
perineal massage, and use of herbs and essential oils (Adams,
2012). Additional resources for expectant parents may be
found in the Appendix.