The birth of every baby is precious. Pregnancy can be an emotional time with many ups and downs. Rivka offers support to couples from as early in the pregnancy as they desire, through right after the baby's birth, participating in all aspects that the couple requests. She can help the couple to decide on and carry out their birth plan, advocate with the hospital staff to make sure that the plan is kept in effect whenever possible, and helping the couple make decisions regarding the best alternatives to their plan when neccesary. The word, "doula," is derived from Greek. A doula was the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother) The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

With all her training in holistic healing, Rivka is able to assist pregnant women in a very hands-on way during all stages of the pregnancy and birth process: with nutritional and herbal recommendations, pregnancy massage, reflexology, and energy healing to help bring on labor and ease the labor period. A doula... Recognizes bith as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life. Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth. Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor. Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions. facilitates communication between the laboring woman, h er partner nad clinical careproviders. Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience. Rivka trained with Aliza Edri, RN, reknown midwife and herbalist in Jerusalem, Israel. She is certified by IMA, the Israel Maternity Association, and has been aiding women during pregnancy and births since 1994.