A doula provides continuous support. This support begins when your labor starts (or at whatever point the mother requests her presence) through birth, and for a time following the birth (or when the family feels she's no longer needed).
They offer help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, and massage. There are "Hypno-doula's" who are also familiar with Hypnosis for Childbirth - like Hypnobabies, and the techniques mothers use for relaxation in their births. They assist families with gathering information about the course of labor and their options.Their most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.
They attend home births and hospital births; medicated births and un-medicated births. They can be the primary support for the mother, or can be an additional member of her existing labor support team.
They specialize in non-medical skills, and do not perform clinical tasks, or diagnose medical conditions. They do not make decisions for their clients. Their goal is to provide the support and information needed to help the birthing mother have a safe and satisfying birth as the mother defines it.
The statistics speak for themselves. According to studies, having a doula present during labor and birth has been proven to:
Decrease medical intervention in labor:
Reduces need for cesarean by 50%
Reduces length of labor by 25%
Reduces use of oxytocin by 40%
Reduces pain medication use by 30%
Reduces the need for forceps by 40%
Reduces epidural requests by 60%
6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
Less anxious and depressed
Had more confidence with baby
More satisfied w/ partner’s role during labor (71% vs 30%)
More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)
I am a certified Doula through Childbirth International.
I have had a "Doula" for two of my births. My dearest friend Emily is amazing. She was there to support me as *I* defined it. With Willem, it was just the mere presence of her around me. The light touches on my back. The support she gave my family.
With Trillian she drove an hour, late at night, to be with my mother and I at the hospital. She had very little sleep on a crappy fold out couch, so my mother could be more comfortable on the bed. (I was content on the floor) She sat with me for HOURS as I showered. She cried with me when I became tired and chose an epidural. She stayed for 2 days straight with me and was there for me as I birthed my baby in a setting I wasn't too comfortable with. Then she drove my mother to my house, completely out of her way.
She was my emotional support. My physical support. My mental support when I felt like giving up. I wanted to run, but she kept me grounded.
My husband is the kind who is clueless when it comes to labor. Sitting in a corner reading a book. She took over where he left off.
Doula's can also just be ADDED support, like she was with my mom. They tag teamed. lol
With both births she expected NO payment because 1) We're friends, 2)She was still in training.
We most definitely paid her anyway.
If you're pregnant, and reading this. Get yourself a doula!!
1 dirty dishes:
The more I hear about doulas, the more I like idea of them. Thanks for posting the statistics.
If you lived near me, you'd be my doula like {that}. But what things do you suggest looking in a good doula? It's such a private, vulnerable experience. How do you know someone is "good enough" to be your doula?
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