The process of labor and childbirth stirs up fear in nearly every pregnant woman. Each birth is unique and full of unknowns, even for the most experienced mom, and when you’re going through the experience, you can use all the help you can get. While dads are great and a necessary part of the birthing process, no one knows what a woman goes through quite like another woman. That’s where having a doula can become an integral part of a birthing plan.
What is a Doula?
A doula is simply one woman helping another woman through her childbirth experience. Most women hire a doula several months before their due date, giving themselves time to establish a relationship with their doula of choice. During the time before the birth, a doula is available to help mothers learn about the birthing process and ask questions, discover their options for the birth, and create a birthing plan. Doulas and moms can become great friends during this time, allowing the doula to know her client well and helping her to become a solid advocate for both parents at the time of birth.
Doulas are typically not established in the medical field – they aren’t nurses or doctors or midwives. However, most have gone through an accredited training and are certified as a doula. They are generally knowledgeable and experienced in the medical processes and procedures that are involved in most birthing situations and should be able to help both parents understand what is involved with their situation from a medical standpoint, as well as helping through any complications specific to her pregnancy.
The primary purpose of having a doula is for a mother to be supported however she chooses during her unique labor and birth. Doulas do not take the place of dads who continue to be directly involved and present at the birth, but the doula can serve in any capacity needed and outlined in the birthing plan – for example: primary labor coach, labor coach stepping in for an overwhelmed dad, help with managing pain, laboring safely at home, knowing when to go to the hospital, advocating for your desires when you can’t, support through a c-section, or encouraging mom towards her goals for the birth. A doula is there for you and to help you have a positive birth experience.
Why Use a Doula?
There have been many studies that show that having a doula participate in the birthing process produces a more positive outcome for both mom and baby. The use of a doula has been proven to lessen the need for having pain medication, lessen the need and occurrence of c-sections, and lessens the need for induced labor.
According to Doulas of North America (DONA), doula assisted births tend to have shorter labor times, fewer birthing complications, a lessened need for pitocin, babies need less help out of the birth canal, fewer requests for pain medication and epidurals, and fewer cesarean births. Some reports indicate that the rate of c-section is lessened by 50% and the request for pain medication lessened by 60%. Overall, doula assisted births tend to go as planned more often leaving more moms feeling good about their births.
Using a doula can also help parents after the birth. DONA shows that research indicates that doula supported moms and dads feel more secure through the birth and as new parents. There also are indications of greater success in adapting to having a new member of the family, more success with breastfeeding, and a boost in overall self-confidence. This may be in part due to the fact that a mother receives encouragement and reassurance from another understanding woman, above and beyond what she is receiving from the medical staff attending the birth and their partners. Doulas work to understand a woman’s needs and desires and consistently encourage each woman towards her individual goals.
Where do I Find a Doula?
Since the positive effects of having a doula participate in childbirth are becoming more widely recognized, it is becoming easier to locate a doula. Some women get referrals from family, friends, or other moms who have used a doula. If you don’t have a personal referral, you can check with your doctor or local hospital for a referral. Some baby stores offer personal referrals as well. If you can’t get a referral by word of mouth, there are several websites that can give you lists of doulas in your area.
It is important to interview doulas before hiring one to make sure that your ideas about labor and birth are supported by her views. You also want to make sure that she is experienced and has proper credentials and references that can be checked. Hearing first hand from one mom to another about how a doula worked on a previously attended birth can help you make sure your decision is the right one for you.
You should expect to pay in the neighborhood of $500 for an experienced, qualified doula.
Reference:
American Pregnancy Association - http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/havingadoula.html
DONA International –
http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php
