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Jenny David labor doula, childbirth educator, certified breastfeeding counselor 602-670-4762 jenny@valleychildbirth.com |
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what is a doula?
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~Penny Simkin FAQ
Studies have shown that having a doula as part of the birth team has many benefits, including: Doulas do not attempt to replace your husband or partner. The support and encouragement that you receive from those that you are closest to is of utmost importance during your labor and birth. Instead, doulas use our expertise to make the experience much more positive for them by offering suggestions for how they can assist you during labor. They may not be feeling the pain that you're feeling, but they often feel anguish and a sense of helplessness while watching you go through the birth process. A good doula helps take care of the details and busy work of labor, leaving your loved ones refreshed and energized so that they may focus their attention on you and not on trying to remember everything they learned in childbirth class. Many women assume that having an epidural means that you just sit back and relax through labor. This is far from accurate. It is not unusual for women who have received epidurals to still experience physical discomfort or even pain. If that happens, having a doula familiar with these kinds of issues can be helpful. The risks that go along with having an epidural become higher the longer it is in place. Often your doctor will want you to be dilated to at least 4 centimeters before administering pain medication. This can take several hours of active labor. Once an epidural is requested it may also take time before an anesthesiologist is available. Your doula will be there to give emotional and physical support and to help explain the procedures that go along with an epidural. (IV, catheter, monitors, etc) Once the epidural is in place, you will be restricted to bed, but will still need to change positions frequently to help the baby move down through the pelvis. You will also experience all the emotional impact of the labor as your body moves through the process. You may get discouraged, fearful, tired or weepy. An epidural may slow your progress, and your doula can stay with you while other family members take a break or catch a nap. Doulas do not perform any medical tasks. We are there to offer you information, encouragement, and physical and emotional support. Midwives are medically trained and licensed professionals who, by law, may perform exams, administer medications, suture, and evaluate the medical condition of the mom and baby. You may spend your early labor at home with your doula or you might meet your doula at the hospital. If you plan to stay at home as long as possible, your doula can help to make you comfortable and offer support during active labor. We can usually tell when you are entering active labor and can assist in the transition from home to hospital. A good doula will try hard to work in harmony with your medical team. Unfortunately, in most hospitals the nursing staff is simply not able to spend considerable time attending to your emotional needs. Most nurses appreciate the fact that you have continuous trained support. When speaking with the doctor, please be aware that we will not challenge or argue with him or her. We will not speak for you in medical situations. We will advocate for you by giving you accurate information and then supporting your choices. We will also remind you if something is a deviation from your birth plan. If an unexpected medical situation arises, a doula can help you understand what's happening. (If your doctor has any questions about my service, I am glad to provide information that outlines my standards of practice and code of ethics.) Childbirth can and does take some unexpected turns, and a doula will be there to help you navigate through what can be a very stressful time. If you need an emergency C-section, we may not be allowed into the operating room. In other situations, it will depend on the doctor and the hospital regulations. If we are not allowed to go with you, we can use the time while you're in surgery to move your belongings to the postpartum area, or we can stay with family and friends and give them emotional support while they wait for news. We are often allowed to be in recovery with you, allowing your partner to accompany the baby to the nursery. Many women hire a doula even when they are having a scheduled Cesarean because they know the value of having the prenatal and postpartum visits as well as someone to answer their questions and give emotional support before and after the birth. The doula-client relationship should be just that: a relationship. The most important thing to ask when hiring a doula is "Does this feel right? Do I feel comfortable, confident and supported by this person?" A doula may have attended hundreds of births, or may be just starting out. Either way, your labor and birth will be a completely unique experience for both of you. Don't choose someone based solely on her experience or credentials. Start with a few phone interviews, and then meet with the ones you really like in person. You will know "your doula" when you meet her. In this area, the price ranges from $300 to $800. The fee for doula services from Valley Childbirth is $500. When you consider the many proven medical and psychological benefits of having the continuous support of a trained doula, and the fact that the birth of your child will be a memory that lasts a lifetime, the investment is well worth the cost. |