Bringing a child into the world can be overwhelming, especially for first time parents. That's why many couples hire a doula to help make the transition into parenthood a smooth one. We have more on how a doula can help in our Family First segment. Just the thought of labor can be overwhelming to any woman. But the sight of this book of dilation levels can make women and even men apprehensive about birth. That's why Ashley Balke decided to hire Stacie Yearton as her doula during the birth of her son Jude. "It ended up being a wonderful experience, i don't think my husband could have done it without her." "Men can't comprehend what their wives are going thru and so they don't know what to do and they step back never having seen their wife in that much pain and they don't know how to help." But knowing how to help is part of Stacie's job as a certified labor doula. "A labor doula is a woman or person that provides emotional and physical support for the mother and father during labor and Delivery." "She was so calming and completely supportive. It was so easy to make decisions because she would tell you your options." "I feel if you know your options you can make the best choice for your family." And because there are many choices to make during child birth, stacie meets with each of her clients twice before their due date. "We talk about fears, concerns, we write a birth plan." And sometimes more concerns come up in the middle of the night. "When I was having early labor pains in the middle of the night I could call her and she would say if it gets to be this you may want to think about going in..and she'd just comfort you." And Stacie will continue to provide support all through labor and delivery. "I remind them they're doing a very good job and that their bodies were made to do this and that they'll see their baby soon." Even several weeks after child birth. "Within two weeks after I do a follow up visit. We talk about the birth and nursing and postpartum depression." And at that time she delivers a special gift to the parents. "I write a birth story for the parents a letter from me to the baby because when you're right in the middle you may not remember all that's going on." "She just meant so much and made the birthing experience wonderful." By the way Stacie is a mother of five. She didn't learn what a doula was until after her children were born, but says wishes she had known about the practice much sooner. For more information on how a doula can help you with the birth of your children, log onto Stacie's website www dot plum joy doula dot com or call 417-529-69-67.