Benefits Of A Labor Doula
"When you have come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly." ~Patrick Overter
"What is a Labor Doula?
A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The certified doula is trained to deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment, and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula serves as a labor coach and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. She encourages and promotes self-advocacy, informed choice, and excellent communication between the mother and care providers. There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "doula". What Does a Doula Do? The following is a general description of what you might expect from a CAPPA certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options. A doula can help the woman to determine prelabor from true labor and early labor from active labor. At a point determined by the woman in labor and the doula, the doula will come to her and assist her by:
* ~ Taken From The Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association's (CAPPA) Website: |
What does it look like to have a doula at your birth?This beautiful birth story was filmed at a birth where Jacquelyn was the labor doula. Notice how incredibly powerful a woman can be when she is surrounded by love and well-supported by her partner and her birth team!!!
Evidence Regarding The Many Benefits of Doulas:
*Decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50% *Decreases the length of labor by 25% *Decreases the use of oxytocin by 40% *Decreases request for an epidural by 60%. - (2Klaus, M., Kennell, J., Klaus, P. Mothering the Mother.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1993.)
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Dispelling Misconceptions
First, let's be clear - A doula DOES NOT perform medical care in anyway. They do not deliver babies, perform vaginal exams, or take fetal heart tones. Your medical provider will be busy doing these tasks, which is why it is so important to have a trained professional that can focus on YOU!!! Doulas offer continuous support, (as requested), with reasonable breaks for bathroom, rest, eating, etc. Perhaps the most beneficial part of hiring a doula is the sympathetic ear from a woman who has felt what you are feeling, and can reassure you that your efforts are bringing you closer to holding your baby!
What are some of the specific things a doula can do for you during labor? As your doula, my goal is to ease your anxiety, facilitate informed consent, and help birth be a positive experience for you and your family. A doula is there to 'mother the mother' & help her to achieve HER birth goals, whether they include interventions or not. I will provide comfort during active labor and immediately post-partum, whether that include massage, visualization and relaxation techniques, offering suggestions on pain relief and position changes, getting ice chips/water/food, playing music, speaking calmly, repeating helpful affirmations, helping the family understand their medical choices and communicate with the medical team, by taking pictures (if requested), and by helping to breastfeed and bond with the baby immediately after birth.
Some parents fear that a doula might take the place of her partner. This is NOT the case at all! Doulas help ENHANCE the role of the partner! It can be hard for a loved one who is emotionally involved to think of all of the little things a laboring woman might need or that might be important to ask her medical provider. It is also hard for a partner who has not seen many births to suddenly know in the midst of an intense experience exactly what to do to help. That's when the doula comes in! Doulas help dads help moms! Partners tend to be a doula's biggest fan by the time the birth is over. :) Please click here for an excellent article on Dads and Doulas, which explains how they work together to best support the mom. Here is another great article from Dona International on "Dads and Doulas: Key Players on Mother's Labor Support Team". Finally, please read about this issue from a real dad's perspective - from skeptic to major doula fan!
What are some of the specific things a doula can do for you during labor? As your doula, my goal is to ease your anxiety, facilitate informed consent, and help birth be a positive experience for you and your family. A doula is there to 'mother the mother' & help her to achieve HER birth goals, whether they include interventions or not. I will provide comfort during active labor and immediately post-partum, whether that include massage, visualization and relaxation techniques, offering suggestions on pain relief and position changes, getting ice chips/water/food, playing music, speaking calmly, repeating helpful affirmations, helping the family understand their medical choices and communicate with the medical team, by taking pictures (if requested), and by helping to breastfeed and bond with the baby immediately after birth.
Some parents fear that a doula might take the place of her partner. This is NOT the case at all! Doulas help ENHANCE the role of the partner! It can be hard for a loved one who is emotionally involved to think of all of the little things a laboring woman might need or that might be important to ask her medical provider. It is also hard for a partner who has not seen many births to suddenly know in the midst of an intense experience exactly what to do to help. That's when the doula comes in! Doulas help dads help moms! Partners tend to be a doula's biggest fan by the time the birth is over. :) Please click here for an excellent article on Dads and Doulas, which explains how they work together to best support the mom. Here is another great article from Dona International on "Dads and Doulas: Key Players on Mother's Labor Support Team". Finally, please read about this issue from a real dad's perspective - from skeptic to major doula fan!
Looking for an Amazing Doula?!
I recommend contacting the Central Iowa Doula Association (CIDA) for a list of referrals!
