Why hire a doula?
Research shows the following benefits of having the presence of a doula:
Additionally, postpartum benefits include:
Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth. Virginia Di Orio |
FAQs
Why do I need a doula if I have a partner or support team?
A doula is not a need. But a doula will absolutely be the best investment you make in your birth experience. As your doula, I am there to focus completely on you, and providing you with emotional and physical support. Your medical caregivers (nurses, midwife, doctor) are responsible for your physical health, and baby's physical health. They typically have other patients and tasks that must be balanced with your needs. The doula provides uninterrupted care and attention to you. You may choose to have a partner/spouse with you during labor, or you might even have your family or close friends there to help. These people love you, but at times might be uncertain of how to help. Seeing someone you love working through childbirth can make even the steadiest partner unsure. As your doula I work with your partner or support team, helping them to help you, and even provide them with support as they need it. Will the doula “take over”, making my partner feel useless and interfere with the intimate experience between us? The doula works to bring the couple closer. During the labor, the doula and partner work closely together to make sure the mother's needs are met (food, drink, massages, encouragement). As a doula I help the partner to participate at his or her comfort level. I can also help your partner feel more at ease to meet his/her own needs (resting, eating, and taking frequent breaks). Your trusted partner helps you more than any other to feel safe and confident. As a doula, by providing support to your support person I will help you to feel capable and relaxed, which will help you progress optimally. Are doulas needed only for natural childbirth? What about epidurals? C-sections? I provide support for any type of birth: natural or medicated, vaginal or surgical. An experienced doula will be comfortable working in any setting (hospital or birthing center with your doctor or midwife, or at a home birth with a trained midwife). A doula never imposes her own beliefs but works with your birth goals and helps you to achieve a birthing experience that you will be satisfied with. Your birth. Your plan. Your choice. If you are planning on an epidural, or are planning a c-section you will still need support before, during and after. A doula helps provide information about what is coming up, and helps you with physical and emotional comfort, all of which helps your body progress optimally through an epidural or surgical birth. If I hire a doula do I need to take childbirth education classes too? Education is key to making informed, evidence based choices about your care. You might choose a professionally led class, or your own private research. Either way your doula will be able to provide you with information and resources for you to study, and make informed choices for your birth plan. |