Birth Doulas
Support During Childbirth
When I tell people that I am a certified birth doula, I get varying reactions. Some people are not familiar with what I do as a doula. Even after explaining that I meet with moms during pregnancy and sometimes teach private childbirth classes to prepare them for their birth, help them build birthing skills and practice them, and am by a birthing moms side from the beginning of birth until she holds her sweet baby, I find some are puzzled by the importance or benefit of doula care. Others quickly exclaim, "I wish I had known about you when I was pregnant."
Why Moms Want Doulas
Many of the expectant mothers who have benefited from having a birth doula, a trained and certified professional who provides educational care, practical comfort measures, advocacy, guidance and support, have noted some of the following as reasons why they looked to a doula for support:
- I desire a peaceful, gentle birth at a hospital, birth center or at home.
- I am looking for on-going support during pregnancy and a little extra guidance through the birth process.
- I want my impending birth experience to be more positive than my previous experiences.
- I have special needs or am considered to be a "high-risk" pregnancy.
- I was unable to have a midwife assist them through pregnancy and birth.
- I do not have someone to support me during childbirth classes, pregnancy and birth.
- I desire a birth with as little medical intervention and/or pain medication as possible.
- I have moved recently and am unfamiliar with my Midwife or OB.
- I want to have a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean.
Why Dads Want Doulas
Expectant mothers are not the only ones who benefit from having a birth doula. Many Expectant fathers and partners benefit from birth doula support as well and have shared the following:
- I felt my wife/partner was better cared for through the nurturing support of our doula.
- Our doula helped me feel more confident in supporting mom during birth.
- Our doula guided me in massage, relaxation, and physical comfort measure techniques that I was uncomfortable initially performing.
- I felt encouraged knowing the doula was able to decipher the medical technology, terminology and procedures used by our medical providers.
- Our doula provided us with current and accurate information throughout the pregnancy and birth.
- Our doula was able to give continuous support to my birthing partner, which enabled me to have breaks.
- I felt our doula really listened to what was important to us concerning my role as the primary birth support and helped me sort through any concerns or questions that arose.
Searching for a Doula
Finding a doula can be a challenging task. Many expectant moms who are interested in having a doula wonder where they should begin. There are many resources on the web from organizations who train and certify doulas, such as DONA International or Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, to resource lists of uncertified and certified doulas. It is important to note that although all doulas seek to support, nurture, educate and advocate for moms, they are not all the same. Each have different backgrounds, training and philosophy. Some are "doulas-in-training", who are not yet certified who offer their services at discounted or at no cost, some have been working as doulas for many years. It is important for moms and their partners to be diligent in making sure they have the right "doula match". This can be easily done by speaking with the doula over the phone, having her send you a copy of her paperwork, setting up a meeting with her in person, and speaking with a mother she worked with before.
Choosing the Right Doula
Just as each expectant mom has different needs and expectations, doulas have different views and philosophy on birthing and levels of experience working with different birthing situations. If you are a mom who is pregnant with twins or desires to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), it is important to make sure you choose a doula who is knowledgeable and experienced working with other moms in your similar situation.
I have heard some expectant mothers say, "I'm having an epidural, I don't need a doula", and others who have said, "I didn't think I needed a doula because I was having an epidural, I sure was wrong!".
Doulas are nurturing and trained professionals who support moms in all birthing situations, environments, and cultures. Just as each mother has her own unique expectations and desires for her birth, different doulas bring different levels of experience and knowledge with them to each birth.
Finding the right doula may take a little bit of time and effort, but finding the right doula to support you can help you have the birth you want and need.
