More about Doula
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[one_half]A birth doula will meet with you during your pregnancy, talking to you about your birth preferences, whether you plan to have medical interventions, and if you want to labor at home before leaving for your birth place. She should provide information and answers to your questions, and any advice that you are seeking. She will be available to you 24 hours a day for at least the two weeks before and after your estimated due date, and should have a back up doula who shares a similar philosophy and would be available in the event that your primary doula is not.
When you begin to labor, your doula will come to you, either at your home or the hospital, and remain with you throughout your labor and until you are resting after the birth of your baby. She can help you by giving ideas for comfortable labor positions, keeping you hydrated, and help you through the delivery. She will remain with you until you are comfortably breastfeeding, and answer basic newborn questions that you might have. Usually, once you are settled at home, she will visit to check in on you and the baby, and again answer any questions that you have.
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This is great time for you to discuss your labor and birth, have your doula answer questions about things you may not remember in the whirlwind that is childbirth. She may have taken notes of things to remind you of, and also may give you a written account of your birth experience from her eyes.
A postpartum doula comes to your home after the birth of your baby, and can help you with general tasks like laundry, dishes, light cleaning, and can also sit with your baby so you can take a shower or a nap while knowing your baby is in good hands. She can also help you out with learning about your newborn and how to care for him. Many birth doulas also take on the role of a postpartum doula, or could refer you to one that they know and trust.
What does a Doula not do?
A birth doula is generally not trained for medical tasks, such as taking your blood pressure, doing any internal exams, or making medical judgments. She does not make decisions for you, but can provide informational support so that you and your partner feel more comfortable making informed decisions during labor.
Why you deserve a Doula
You are embarking on a new adventure! Pregnancy can be an exhausting time, while also being empowering, exciting. You deserve to have a trained guide; someone that knows what is happening and can provide reassurance that it’s normal. A doula will be there by your side, holding your hand and taking each step with you and your partner, guiding you through the birth experience that you have been planning for.
If you are planning a hospital birth, a doula can be especially helpful in keeping consistency if you are present for a nurse shift change or if your care provider has an on-call physician or midwife that you don’t know well. You will have met with your doula beforehand, and should be acquainted with her enough to feel comfortable that she is there to support you no matter who else comes and goes. A single mother or a mother whose partner is unavailable due to work, military deployment or other obligations would also benefit greatly from this type of support.
Whether you want a totally natural birth experience, or you decide that you want medical interventions, your doula is trained to assist you. She is a constant in the room with you and your partner, and is only focused on you. No matter what you decide, having a trained professional at your side will help you to relax, and focus on your baby.