Welcome to Doula By Nature's Website...
So you're expecting? Congratulations!
This is a very special time in your life; full of excitement, anticipation and probably some anxiety. As your body is busy preparing itself to nurture and grow this newest member of your family, your mind is also preparing itself for the day your little one enters this world. It's time to think about what your ideal birth would be or look back at your previous births to see if anything could be done differently this time around. A Doula may be a perfect addition to your birth team.
What's a Doula?
A Doula is a professionally trained person, traditionally a woman, who provides emotional and physical support to assist you in labor and the birth of your child. The Doula usually meets the mother for a consultation or "getting to know you" meeting to see if the relationship is a good fit. The Doula normally would leave a contract and give the mom and her partner time to decide whether or not they wanted to hire the Doula. Sometimes, the Doula is hired on the spot. Once the agreement has been made,"prenatal" visits are scheduled. The amount of these visits vary, but can be 2-3 depending on the needs of the mother. During these visits, the Doula may educate the mother and partner on various topics such as writing a birth plan (or wish list), labor phases, contractions, narcotics, epidurals, C-sections and breastfeeding as well as comfort measures such as using a birth ball, massages, aromatherapy and other relaxation and breathing techniques.
Doulas are normally on call 24/7 for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the EDD (estimated due date). The mother can contact the doula at any time with questions or concerns. Once the mother thinks she may be in labor, it is best to call the doula so she is aware that things are happening! It is common for the mother to stay at home until she is in active labor or her doctor advises her to go to the hospital. The doula does not make that determination. The doula either meets the mother at the house or at the hospital, which ever the mother feels more comfortable. If a hospital birth is planned, the longer a mother stays at home during early labor, the more control she has. She can be free to walk, change positions, eat, drink shower or bathe to make her ease her through contractions. Once active labor has started, it is best to be situated at the location where you plan to give birth.
When admitted, the doula can provide information about the procedures, medical equipment or interventions that may be introduced. Once contractions become more consistent, the doula will suggest various comfort measures such as using the birth ball, changing positions, massages and breathing and relaxation techniques. This will vary, depending on if an I.V. or fetal monitoring is in place. If your partner needs help remembering what techniques to use, the doula will remind and assist them. Sometimes mothers do not want to be touched or talked to during their labor - that's ok, too. Doulas are trained to provide the minimum or maximum support needed to make it a positive experience for you and your baby. After you give birth, the doula will assist you with breastfeeding, if that is what you want. They will stay until you feel ready to snuggle up alone with your newest family member. The doula will follow up with a postpartum visit to see how things are going and to talk about your birth experience.
The Benefits of Having a Doula
Even the most compassionate and efficient labor and delivery nurse cannot support your emotional and physical needs throughout your entire labor and delivery process. Although they will try to support you as much as possible, they have numerous patients and shift changes. A Doula stays with you the entire time, only taking fast bathroom breaks or grapping something quick to eat. A Doula will support your requests and needs at any time during your birthing experience."My husband (partner) is my left hand and my doula is my right." - from Doulas Making a Difference
A study by Klaus and Kennel showed that using a doula as part of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 60%.
What Doulas DO NOT Do
Doulas do not perform any medical tasks such as blood pressure readings, fetal heart monitoring or vaginal exams.Doulas do not take responsibility for the clinical well being of you or your baby.
Doulas do not make decisions for you or contradict any medical advice given from your care provider. Doulas will help you get information necessary to make an informed decision and will remind you if you depart from your original birth plan.
Doulas do not speak to the staff for you regarding healthcare decisions. Doulas will discuss concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.