One Amazing Birth Doula Changing The Industry, Rebecca Coluntino

Becky was a HUGE asset to our Editor in Chief's son's birth and beyond. We are so excited to spotlight her as a rising entrepreneur to know!

Becky has been in the medical field almost 13 years as an occupational therapist, now doula and business owner.

She lives in Melrose, MA with her husband and two sons. They had such positive experiences using doula services and felt fully informed of their choices and what to do at each stage of labor as well as in her postpartum recovery.

She wanted to give back to her community the kind of support they had and this turned out to be a perfect fit with her OT background.

She is the founder of Capstone Doula Services. They service families in Boston, the Northshore, and surrounding areas.

SoforthoseunfamiliarwithaBirthDoula, WhatisaBirthDoula?

"A Birth Doula supports families through the birthing process, through pregnancy, labor and some postpartum.

Whether someone has an epidural or not, hospital vs. home birth, vaginal birth or cesarean, we help all families feel fully prepared for their birth experience.

Research shows that when you have someone at your birth who was not related to you, and not a staff member of the hospital, but an outside person such as a Doula, who is there to solely support you and your goals it can lessen your chance for a cesarean birth.

They also help people use less pain medication, and resulted in a more satisfactory birth experience overall.

Having a Doula at your birth, you’re able to have the benefit of mental distraction through your contractions (meditation, reiki, visualization) and using hands-on skills of counter pressures massages, and position changes. Whether they're in or out of bed."

LeadinguptoBirth,howelsedoyou helpfamilies?

HowdoBirthDoulasdifferentiate themselvesinthebirthroomvs.the nursesanddoctors?

"We’re not only there for the birthing person. We teach both parents how to self advocate for their wishes and how to ask the right questions to make informed decisions.

We teach coping skills and important hands-on techniques that you can use even prior to going into the hospital when you’re in early labor.

We also teach how to best support your partner while they’re in pain and educate the families on what to expect to see at each stage of labor.

At the end of the day, we really look out for everyone in the room to make sure everyone remains alert, healthy and present, but also rested when needed." We also don’t work for the hospital. We are solely at the birth to support the family and give unbiased, non-judgmental support.

We give silence when it's needed and can remind you of your birth wishes in labor.

Our goal is to keep the environment calm, keep the mood light in the room, and help everyone to work as a team. "

Ifpeopleareonthefenceofhiringabirth doula,whataretwothingstheyshould consideraroundtheirbirth?

"1: Believe it or not, a lot of things on your registry you might not end up using. Mental and Physical Support are so important. Birth and Postpartum Doulas are definitely two people you should consider having on your registry!

Having a support system is so important for having a positive experience not only during labor but these experiences can also affect you in your postpartum recovery. Having support sets you up for success.

2: Especially with a pandemic, people feel really isolated when they’re pregnant and having babies right now. I think as Doulas we’ve had a positive impact on the labor experience and also postpartum depression and anxiety.

Being able to recognize when someone needs to reach out for help, not only for mental health but with breast-feeding, etc. We are trained to recognize these things and we have resources to recommend so that people can get the help they need, early on."

"Doulas are really doing all of the hands-on assist and coping skills through labor. We don’t provide medical advice...

Whatotherservicesdoyouoffer?

Labor Doula, Postpartum and Infant care Doula and Child Birth Classes, Newborn Education + Overnight Postpartum Doula.

Video W I T H N E X T O N S C BrandingE N E & J U L I A A L P E R N M E D I A

D I D Y O U K N O W O V E R 5 0 0 M I L L I O N ( H A L F A B I L L I O N ) P E O P L E A R E W A T C H I N G V I D E O S O N S O C I A L M E D I A E V E R Y D A Y ? !

5 4 % O F C O N S U M E R S W A N T T O S E E M O R E V I D E O S F R O M A B U S I N E S S / B R A N D T H E Y S U P P O R T !