1. What does a doula do?
The doula assists the pregnant woman and her partner to prepare for childbirth throughout the pregnancy so that when the times comes to give birth, the questions have already been answered and the woman is as prepared as it is possible to be.
Putting together a good support team whom you trust, and have a good rapport with, is one of the most important preparations you can make for a positive birth experience.
Including a doula who you have gotten to know during your pregnancy and developed a rapport with, will be a boost to your confidence.
During your labour a doula uses comfort measures such as labour massage, heat packs, aromatherapy and other skills to help you stay as comfortable as possible throughout your labour.
Some women will need medical intervention, but this does not mean that you cannot have a good experience. In the case of a planned necessary intervention such as cesarean birth or induction, a doula can be invaluable in helping you to create a nurturing environment for the birth, as well as being there to help you physically with whatever needs to be done. If intervention becomes necessary when you have already been labouring, your doula will also be able to help you cope by explaining whats happening and using comfort measures to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible and that your wishes are carried out.
2. If I hire a doula, what role does my partner play?
Having a doula at the birth can help to relieve the anxiety that a lot of partners feel as they prepare to support their pregnant partner in childbirth. A doula does not take the place of your partner but is there as an additional support, for both of you, if necessary. Your doula will be able to prepare your partner for what labour will be like and the best ways that they can contribute.
Having a doula at birth often helps the partner to relax into their role of emotionally supporting you, at the same time the doula is doing a lot of the physical things which can be done to help keep the labouring woman comfortable.
3. What if we want birth to be an intimate occasion?
Many couples have this question, as can seem strange to decide to invite a stranger to share this part of your lives.
In reality, unless you are at home by yourself with only you and your partner, there are likely to be strangers at your birth.
During labour in most hospitals there will be an average of at least two people whom you have never met before coming into the room every 15 minutes, or so, to check your vital signs, etc.
When you hire a doula you will have met with her at least 4-6 times in the time before the birth. If you have hired someone you feel comfortable with, you will feel more safe and secure than if you are thrust into an unfamiliar situation. A doula will support you without getting her feelings hurt if you say something in the heat of the moment. You can yell, scream, or curse, and she will understand that it’s not personal. She will be understanding if you need a little private time with your partner and will come back when you need her. She will work together with your partner for your best interest.
4. What if we are planning a home birth?
If you are planning a home birth, you will be hiring a qualified midwife (or two) to attend you. Many home birth midwives like to work together with doulas as the doula takes a lot of the physical load of birth support so that the midwife can more easily keep track of your physical condition as you labour.
5. What are the benefits of having a doula at birth?
There have been several studies done on the benefits of having a doula at birth.
Statistics show that with the support of a doula there were:
50% fewer cesarean births
40% reduction in the use of forceps
60% fewer requests for epidurals
40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin to either induce or augment labour
30% reduction in the use of pain medications in labour
25% reduction in the length of labour
51% increased rate of breastfeeding past 6 weeks postpartum
Women who had a doula also had higher self-esteem, less anxiety and fewer instances of postpartum depression.
7. Will the obstetrician/midwife/hospital allow me to have my doula with me?
Most hospitals, obstetricians and midwives are supportive of and see the value of a woman having a doula with her while she is in labour. If you talk about it at your antenatal appointments and give the hospital your birth plan which states that you will be having a doula with you, there shouldn’t be any problem. Doulas work together with midwives and other medical staff for the best outcome.