What is a Labor Doula?
If you are like most people, you haven’t a clue as to what a labor doula is, or why you might want one. A lot of women learn about birth from TV, movies, or the stories that friends and family tell about their birthing experience, but these women are missing a lot of alternative pre and postnatal information.
Did you know that there are at least seven different types of birthing classes, other than what is available at the hospital? Are you aware that each hospital in Colorado has to release its statistics regarding c-sections, epidural rates, and induction rates? Would you know who to contact if your baby was breech and you didn’t want to have a c-section? Where you aware that each hospital has very different protocols regarding what is and is not safe for their laboring mothers? How about the fact that many hospitals have midwifery practices and that you don’t have to have an OBGYN? You have many choices in determining what kind of safe birth you want to have.
As a labor doula, you are exposed to an entirely new world of options. A labor doula has a variety of technical definitions, but very simply put, she is a woman that you hire to give you informational, emotional, and physical support during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and post-partum. She is usually well connected with the myriad of local resources, stores, groups, and classes that are available to you. She is also usually extremely well read, and can help narrow down your choices in what books to read. All of this can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and help you make informed decisions regarding you and your baby’s care. Not to be confused with a midwife, who provides medical care, a labor doula is a non-medical birth professional who does not assist in the medical aspect of the birth, and is there to help you and your family be aware of your options, remember the things that you might over-look, and help you determine the best course of action for you and your family. She does all of this with the mind-set that you and your family’s values and beliefs are to be upheld and respected. This means that regardless of the type of birth that you are planning on having (vaginal, c-section, medicated, un-medicated, hospital, home, or birth center), a labor doula can be there to support you through the entire process. A labor doula does not replace the significant other in the birth room. A significant other can provide the love and support that only they can give; a doula can provide childbirth wisdom and guidance. Studies show that with a doula, fathers are more likely to be involved in the mother’s birth. Studies also show that having a doula decreases medical intervention in labor.
So how do you find a doula, do you need a certified doula, and how much do they cost? It is recommended that you interview at least three different labor doulas so that you can get a complete perspective of the services available to you. Remember that it is never too late in the pregnancy to hire a doula. Go with your gut and who makes you the most comfortable, relaxed, and matches your mind-set the best. Experience is not necessarily the most important factor in finding the right doula for you. Even a doula who is in the process of attaining her certification can give you and your family piece of mind during labor if she is the right emotional match for you. There are many web sites that can help you find a doula in your area. You can also find doulas that are certified through various organizations including CAPPA, DONA and ALACE. Each of these organizations has a different certification process that you can read about on their website. Depending on the doula’s experience you can expect a wide variety in cost. In Colorado, the average range seems to be anywhere from $100 for a doula that is in the process of certifying to $800 for a doula that has many years of experience. This fee typically covers pre-natal visits, all of labor and delivery, post-partum visits, phone calls, informational research, and a back-up doula. What each doula actually offers should be specifically listed in a contract so that there aren’t any misunderstandings or false expectations. Interviews should always be free and be located in a place that is convenient and comfortable for you.
Pregnancy and birth is about you becoming a mother in the best way that you know how. By being aware of your choices and options, you are giving yourself the ability to make informed decisions that can give you a safe birth that is also emotionally satisfying for you.
