Why You Should Have a Doula on Your Birth Team
This post might sound biased being that I am in fact a Doula, however facts are still facts. When I became a mother, I did not have a Doula. I didn’t even know what a Doula was at the age of 22 which is when I birthed my first child. Even if I weren’t a Doula, I would still advocate for having these sacred souls in the birth space to guard, honor and support birthing people and here’s why.
Education-The more an expectant family knows about birth options and processes the better prepared they will be when the big day arrives. Think of the birth as an important exam and the doula as your professor. Her job is to prepare you for that exam. This is especially important for first time parents. The doula will go over some basic childbirth education as well as some of not so common info about birthing that she may have gained from experience.
Lower C-Section Rates and increased desired birth outcomes-Cesarean rates have been reduced by over 50% in the last decade or so and women are getting to experience the birth of their dreams. This is due to the reduced use of interventions such as inductions and epidurals. When mom feels supported in all ways, she is able to actively participate in the birth of her own baby and thus supports the natural birthing process.
Continued Care-We’ve all seen the hospital staff come in and out of the hospital room while mother is laboring. A doula will be close to the mom and in support of the family for the duration of the birth. Imagine having someone solely dedicated to you until you no longer need them.
Emotional Support-The birth space ban get very methodical. People have jobs to do and rarely check in on the emotional status of the mother and family. Doulas are trained to care. A good Doula anticipates the emotions or everyone involved and acts in a way to make sure that everyone is nurtured appropriately.
Postpartum support-Care generally stood when the family leaves the hospital. There’s no visits or phone calls from the doctor. However, Doulas continue to check in with the family once their back home for a minimum of 4 weeks. Doulas help with the baby, with getting mom back to feeling like herself again, household chores and more! This varies from one doula to another.)
Shorter labor-Studies have proven that women that are continually supported throughout childbirth have a shorter labor due to the allowance of natural progression and the way the body responds to such practices.
Support for birth partner-Though a doulas primary focus is the mother, she’s needed by everyone. Birth partners/fathers are important in caring for the mother, however a doula provides a different kind of support than the birth partner or other close relative. Since Doulas are farther removed from the mother we are able to provide focused support.
Reduced use of pain medications-Doulas provide natural methods of coping with labor waves such as hypnosis, massage, breathing, aromatherapy and other techniques that do not intervene with the process nor the baby. Most people don’t know that certain pain medications have effects on the unborn baby. These options are especially great for mothers who desire a non-medicated birth. Although all moms can benefit from these techniques.
Literally every mother that I’ve spoken with who’s had a doula present at their birth has said how beneficial it was and how they wouldn’t give birth without one. Birth is not meant to be done alone. It’s a community event that requires the most loving soul tribe to show up and rally together for the coming of a new being. Let this birth involve an experienced doula as part of that soul tribe.
For questions, comments, collaborations or to just share your thoughts email theurbanumi@gmail.com
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