who, what, why
About Mother Well Doula
Mother Well Doula transforms expecting moms and dads into confident parents.
Through education, support, and community, fill up your cup with the stuff that makes a difference. Pour out love to your family.
What We Do
Victoria Wilson AdvCD(DONA) | Central Kentucky Birth Doula
Mother Well Doula is owned by Victoria Wilson CD(DONA), a Berea College graduate who has been in birth doula practice since 2015.
Victoria has supported over 100 birth doula clients, as well as many others through classes and support. Former clients speak to Victoria's compassion, expertise, and intuition as a birth doula
Her birth work is driven by the belief that fostering relationships is the way to positively impact individual births and transform our broken maternity care system. Mother Well provides practical support, enduring encouragement, and tangible solutions to common parenting problems for the families of Central Kentucky.
Victoria has spoken on college campuses, in professional groups, and in private settings on the topic of birth and doula work.
For media inquiries, email: hello@motherwelldoula.com.
Victoria Wilson, advcd(dona)
DONA International Certified Advanced Birth Doula
Spinning Babies® Foundational Workshop Participiant
Doula Philosophy of Care
I believe the best doulas are students of human nature and intuitive to the needs of others. My goal as a doula is to ensure everyone on your birth team is supportive and united around your agenda and needs for birth.
I am focused on your physical and emotional wellness, the physiologic needs of your labor, your dignity and respect. I find success in forging relationships between all members of the birth team in order to center care around my clients in a collaborative way.
As a birth doula, I believe in my responsibility to give you the factual information I have acquired about birth and maternity care practices in our local context. I will speak with truth, honesty, and compassion as I strive to offer gracious and nuanced perspectives.
End of Year Reports
Read how our doula practice has developed over the years! The Year in Review includes birth statistics, reflections, photos, and milestones!
DOULA FAQS - ANSWERS TO YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOULAS
Doula is a Greek word that means “a woman who serves.” Today, doulas are trained non-medical professionals offering continuous support to moms during the entire childbirth experience. To learn more about the present role of doulas and the research behind why they are so effective, click here!
Doulas guide families to fulfill their individual desires for birth. A doula’s ultimate goal is to help moms experience a positive and safe birth through information and support. In pregnancy, a doula meets with clients to discuss the upcoming birth, answer questions, and to provide assistance navigating the healthcare system.
During labor, doulas provide physical comfort to mothers by way of pain relief techniques and suggestions to make labor progress smoothly. Doulas also provide emotional reassurance to mothers and their birth team. Even if you plan on having a family member or friend present at birth, doulas can still be of great help!
In my experience, dads enjoy being able to be more present at the birth of their child – knowing a knowledgeable guide is present to care for mom.
Not at all! A doula has no hidden agenda for a client’s birth. A doula’s role is to help the mother navigate the birth she desires. Doulas also can help clients adjust when their birth plans change.
Evidence Based Birth® sums up the benefits this way:
- 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*
- 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
- Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff
(And because people always ask: YES! I *absolutely* used a doula in every birth experience!)
A doula does not make decisions for her clients. She provides information, supports the woman in her decision-making, and ensures the woman’s wishes are made known to her care provider.
Our team checks our own opinions and biases at the door in order to protect the birth experience from coercion!
Nope! In my experience, a doula really helps dads enjoy birth! Oftentimes women in labor have many, simultaneous needs. I make it a point in my practice to include partners to the extent they are comfortable. My goal is to support the entire family unit in welcoming their newest addition.
Childbirth is certainly a natural process, but birth still can be a mysterious force of nature! A childbirth education/preparation course demystifies much of the birthing process.
Sessions provide an opportunity to address any of your fears about birth, learn comfort measures to handle labor pain, understand medical interventions, connect with your birth partner, and more.
Furthermore, our modern maternity care system is fraught with outdated practices and hidden risks; being an informed consumer is the best way to approach birthing in the American healthcare system. And having a doula by your side can make a WORLD of difference.
