Labor Doulas
In the ancient Greek, the word doula means servant - usually the most favored female servant in the ancient Greek household who would be honored by attending the lady of the house during the birth of her child. Today, a doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. This includes preparation for birth helping the laboring woman with encouragement, comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and an objective viewpoint, as well as support after childbirth, such as help with breastfeeding. Trained doulas understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. Generally, doulas believe that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural and healthy processes.

Studies have shown that women supported by a doula during labor have:

• 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
• 25% shorter labor
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in oxytocin use
• 30% reduction in analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery

Postpartum Doulas
A Postpartum Doula is a lay women who is trained or experienced in providing postpartum care for the new family. By giving emotional and breastfeeding support along with practical newborn care tips and taking care of necessary household tasks such as: grocery shopping; meal preparation; doing the dishes, laundry or tending to your older children she helps ease your transition into motherhood.

Childbirth Educators
Childbirth classes are helpful for both first-time and experienced parents. In childbirth classes you will learn information from your instructors and the other students, which cannot be learned from a book. A quality childbirth class will emphasize minimal medical intervention, teach coping methods for labor and delivery and help guide new parents in the many decisions they will make before, during and after the birth process. Some classes touch on subjects like diet, breastfeeding, anatomy and massage techniques.

Parenting/Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Educators
Parenting/Pre-Natal and Post-Natal classes that help parents learn how to understand their baby and build confidence in their parenting skills.  These classes may include infant feeding, soothing, diapering, normal development and much more.

Lactation Support
The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an experienced, highly trained professional with extensive formal lactation education and clinical training, has passed an international certification exam and has continuing education requirements in lactation, including re-exam every 10 years. They may also use term “Registered Lactation Consultant” (RLC).

Some breastfeeding specialists carry other credentials such as CBE (Certified Breastfeeding Educator), CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor or Certified Lactation Consultant), CLE (Certified Lactation Educator), CLS (Certified Lactation Specialist). These credentials mean that the person has taken additional training in lactation management but is not nationally or internationally certified.

LLLL - La Leche League Leader. An LLLL is an experienced breastfeeding mother, familiar with research and current findings dealing with breastfeeding, who offers practical information and encouragement to nursing mothers through monthly meeting and one-to-one help. An LLLL has completed specific reading and introspection and has finished the extensive written training curriculum and other accreditation requirements established by La Leche League International. 

Pediatricians
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants and children. Most pediatricians are members of a national body, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Chiropractors
Chiropractic care is the health maintenance of the spinal column, discs, related nerves and bone geometry without drugs or surgery. It involves the art and science of adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially of the spine, to promote health throughout the body. Chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy when provided by a chiropractor that has been trained in the physical changes that occur within a pregnant woman's body. Chiropractors that have been trained to work with pregnant women will use tables that adjust for a pregnant woman's body and they will use techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen. (source)

Massage Therapy
Massage during pregnancy is therapeutic bodywork which focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of the childbirth experience.  Massage therapy enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.  Benefits of prenatal massage include: relaxation and decreased insomnia; stress relief on weight-bearing joints, such as ankles, lower back and pelvis; neck and back pain relief caused by muscle imbalance and weakness; assistance in maintaining proper posture; preparing the muscles used during childbirth; reduced swelling in hands and feet; lessened sciatic pain; fewer calf cramps; headache and sinus congestion relief.

Pregnancy/Newborn Photography
GBN member photographers specialize in capturing the special moments of pregnancy, childbirth and the baby's first year. 

Other organizations
This section is for businesses and non profit organizations that support the mission of GBN and provide services for birthing familes. 

The contact info listed above is for referral purposes only and is not to be used for any other reason.