Do I really need a Doula?
You bet!
So...Whazadoula, anyway? (Boy, have I heard that a lot!)
The word Doula, has Greek origin. It means, "woman who serves." Doulas are trained and certified in many different aspects of childbirth. They understand the birth process, respect the birth process and help to facilitate the birth, not only for the parents, but the baby and primary care providers as well. Doulas offer emotional, physical and educational support during pregnancy & throughout the entire birth & postpartum period.
As a pregnant, laboring woman, how would you feel if…
..You could be involved in your birth experience?
..You had physical, educational, emotional and spiritual support?
..You were fully informed on your available choices?
..You could have your wishes followed, in a respectful manner?
..Someone was there to make you feel safe?
Studies have shown that the presence of a Labor Doula at a birth have resulted in:
And if that isn't enough…there have also been long term benefits to having a Doula present at your birth.
Becoming aware of what is happening to your body and your baby during labor, is vital. Knowing what position your baby is in, getting answers to your questions and having a Doula present to help negotiate around the medical terminology and confusion, are things that can help you have a better, more positive outcome. Daily exercise, along with good nutrition, are key for a healthy pregnancy AND in preparing for labor as well!
Understanding the Choices:
If you choose to have an un-medicated birth, this is how I will help you achieve your goal:
And then, there's the Cascade of Interventions...When you introduce one intervention it almost always leads to another. This is what we call the domino effect, or cascade of interventions. Making sure that you have knowledge of what your considering is crucial! Talk to your Doula, your care provider and your nurse, about all of your options. Be sure to ask questions about other alternatives and make sure you know what the trade offs and advantages are of any pain relief you are using! If you are considering an epidural, make sure you know about everything that comes along with it. Having an epidural placed leads to loss of mobility. Loss of mobility, and gravity, effect labor in the following ways:
Walking: allows gravity put pressure on the cervix and help dilate
Position changes: encourages effacement/dilation & helps Mom cope better
Squatting: which open the pelvis up, (sometimes 2cms), to create space!
Sometimes there is no choice...
If you choose, or have, a medically managed birth, there are still many things that I can do to help you have a wonderful birth experience. Although your options will be limited, position changes, (in bed), massage, and constant support are all fabulous aids in helping a labor progress. Epidural anesthesia can provide optimal pain relief to a laboring woman.
It can be a wonderful reprieve when a woman has had all she can take. But getting an epidural can hinder, or even stop labor altogether, sometimes. So knowing when, in your labor to get one, is something that can help make it more beneficial.
Making YOUR choice!
Is a very personal decision. Information, education and positive support are the most valuable gifts you can give yourself and your baby during this time. Interventions are sometimes needed. Each case has its unique circumstances that make it impossible to predict what will happen. I have experienced many births with interventions and without interventions. It is important for you to know that regardless of what you choose, I will support you and your partner and work with you to fulfill that goal. You will always be made to feel safe and respected by me, throughout the entire process. It’s all about YOU, and what YOU want in your journey. My goal to is help you be optimally satisfied with your birth experience!
Click here for more information on what having a Doula at your birth can do for you.
Do you think you deserve that? Then hire a Doula!
*Taken from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can help you have a better birth. Klaus, Kennell and Klaus
The word Doula, has Greek origin. It means, "woman who serves." Doulas are trained and certified in many different aspects of childbirth. They understand the birth process, respect the birth process and help to facilitate the birth, not only for the parents, but the baby and primary care providers as well. Doulas offer emotional, physical and educational support during pregnancy & throughout the entire birth & postpartum period.
As a pregnant, laboring woman, how would you feel if…
..You could be involved in your birth experience?
..You had physical, educational, emotional and spiritual support?
..You were fully informed on your available choices?
..You could have your wishes followed, in a respectful manner?
..Someone was there to make you feel safe?
Studies have shown that the presence of a Labor Doula at a birth have resulted in:
- 50% reduction in cesarean sections
- 25% shorter labors
- 60% reduction of epidural use
- 40% reduction in use of Pitocin
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in use of forceps
And if that isn't enough…there have also been long term benefits to having a Doula present at your birth.
- Decreased postpartum depression
- Greater maternal satisfaction
- Improved breastfeeding & bonding
- Better mother-infant connection
- Better neonatal outcomes
- Fewer episiotomies
Becoming aware of what is happening to your body and your baby during labor, is vital. Knowing what position your baby is in, getting answers to your questions and having a Doula present to help negotiate around the medical terminology and confusion, are things that can help you have a better, more positive outcome. Daily exercise, along with good nutrition, are key for a healthy pregnancy AND in preparing for labor as well!
Understanding the Choices:
If you choose to have an un-medicated birth, this is how I will help you achieve your goal:
- Encourage you with affirmations
- Redirect you through pain with positioning and massage
- Position changes to help facilitate proper baby positioning & to help hasten labor
- Breathing techniques
- Imagery and/or visual aides
- Help you to maintain focus on your goal
- Walking/Hydrotherapy
- Aromatherapy (I have variety of essential oils that hasten labor, and relax Mom)
And then, there's the Cascade of Interventions...When you introduce one intervention it almost always leads to another. This is what we call the domino effect, or cascade of interventions. Making sure that you have knowledge of what your considering is crucial! Talk to your Doula, your care provider and your nurse, about all of your options. Be sure to ask questions about other alternatives and make sure you know what the trade offs and advantages are of any pain relief you are using! If you are considering an epidural, make sure you know about everything that comes along with it. Having an epidural placed leads to loss of mobility. Loss of mobility, and gravity, effect labor in the following ways:
Walking: allows gravity put pressure on the cervix and help dilate
Position changes: encourages effacement/dilation & helps Mom cope better
Squatting: which open the pelvis up, (sometimes 2cms), to create space!
Sometimes there is no choice...
If you choose, or have, a medically managed birth, there are still many things that I can do to help you have a wonderful birth experience. Although your options will be limited, position changes, (in bed), massage, and constant support are all fabulous aids in helping a labor progress. Epidural anesthesia can provide optimal pain relief to a laboring woman.
It can be a wonderful reprieve when a woman has had all she can take. But getting an epidural can hinder, or even stop labor altogether, sometimes. So knowing when, in your labor to get one, is something that can help make it more beneficial.
Making YOUR choice!
Is a very personal decision. Information, education and positive support are the most valuable gifts you can give yourself and your baby during this time. Interventions are sometimes needed. Each case has its unique circumstances that make it impossible to predict what will happen. I have experienced many births with interventions and without interventions. It is important for you to know that regardless of what you choose, I will support you and your partner and work with you to fulfill that goal. You will always be made to feel safe and respected by me, throughout the entire process. It’s all about YOU, and what YOU want in your journey. My goal to is help you be optimally satisfied with your birth experience!
Click here for more information on what having a Doula at your birth can do for you.
Do you think you deserve that? Then hire a Doula!
*Taken from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can help you have a better birth. Klaus, Kennell and Klaus