More and more often around the country, medical professionals and women are seeking guidance in birth and postpartum settings. With so many options there’s one positive look on the horizon – doulas! So, what exactly is a doula and why are they helpful? Here’s my 5 top ways that a doula can be beneficial to you.
Birth doulas work with YOUR birth preferences.
Your birth preferences are SO important! As a mom, I know how sacred my preferences are to me during labor and birth. With my first, I got so entangled with prepping our home and our daughter’s nursery that I forgot to lay out my preferences! Doulas are here to help ensure that your birth experience goes the way you prefer. Most birth doulas will do up to 3 prenatal visits with an expectant mother and her partner to educate, empower, and get acquainted with their birth preferences. However, when the unexpected happens, we’re also here to help you and your support person(s) navigate through it.
Birth Doulas provide continuous care throughout labor and birth.
From the time you call them to the time you birth your baby/babies, regardless of how or where, your doula is by your side 100% of the time providing both physical and emotional support to you. Movement techniques, natural pain management, and emotional coaching are our strongest suits. Don’t forget the dads and other support persons too! We also educate and empower your partner/support person(s) to help in the labor and birth processes so you can have the best birth experience possible. And if they nearly, or actually, faint or puke like my husband did the first time around, we make sure you don’t notice.
Doulas help to shorten labor and reduce pain.
Statistics show that having a doula lowers your risk of cesarean up to 50%, length of labor by 25%, the use of Pitocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural and other pain medications by approximately 60%. Crazy? No way! Doulas are trained in the areas of empathy, movement, and natural pain management. All of this helps women have a better birth experience; regardless of the outcome.
Birth Doulas can provide immediate postpartum breastfeeding support.
How many of us out there can attest to a difficult breastfeeding experience? I know I can! I had no clue how to properly latch, what on earth engorgement or overproduction was, and that it all produced that lovely hormone to make my uterus shrink. Thanks to my doula, and midwife, I had the proper education. Doulas can help immediately after birth with your breastfeeding experience. She can help you latch your baby properly, show you how effectively hold your baby while nursing, and educate you on what to look for while breastfeeding. Everything from poop color to let downs, most birth doulas can help get you and your baby feeding off on the right foot; or should I say, breast?
Postpartum Doulas assist for up to 6 weeks after birth.
Everything from newborn care to emotional and physical healing and well-being, this type of doula is extremely beneficial. While her main goal is to “mother the mother”, she also assists in helping the family unit, as a whole, to adjust. Got a pile of laundry that’s been sitting there for a week? You can call her for that. Recently have a cesarean and having trouble getting around to do your errands? She can help with that too. Not sure where to go for a good parenting class, pediatrician, or support group? Postpartum doulas can point you in the right direction. Whether you’re a first-time mom or a veteran, bringing a newborn home isn’t easy. Postpartum doulas fill the gap and help the adjusting process become easier; even for moms who foster and adopt!
Support before, during, and after birth, adoption, and fostering is crucial to a mother’s health, Do you know anyone who could use this type of help? Would a doula have benefitted you?
