Terri Piazza is a native New Yorker now living in Connecticut. After years as a corporate executive, she has dedicated her time in recent years to pursuing her passion for supporting mamas, their partners and babies. A DONA-trained doula, Piazza’s business is Momma T Doula and she now works all over western Connecticut and in neighboring Westchester and Putnam, New York, supporting both first-time and experienced mothers.

“Giving birth is more than physical,” Piazza explains. “It’s a key life event full of emotion and meaning. Every mother should have the birth they desire and the prenatal, postpartum, nursing and parenting support they deserve. I mother the mother, taking care of her needs throughout birth. Doctors and nurses may change with shifts but a doula remains one-on-one, offering constant support.”

Studies show the benefits of having a birth doula, including shortening labor, reducing the need for pain medication, reducing Cesarean births, and improving outcomes for both mother and baby. A birth doula also provides support and suggestions for partners, which can enhance their involvement and experiences of birth. A good birth experience will lead to a better postpartum period by speeding recovery, easing breastfeeding, and securing the satisfaction of the mother and father with one another and themselves. Ideally, the doula and partner work together to provide the continuous support the mother will need.

Momma T’s services include an initial consultation, prenatal support, labor support, nursing support and at least one postpartum visit. More postpartum visits may be scheduled if needed to ease the transition home or in cases of preemies or special needs infants.

For more information, call 919-244-8410, email [email protected] or visit MommaTDoula.com. See ad, page 13.