When I was born, my dad stood outside in the hospital hallway (probably smoking with all the other dads in the “stork club”) while my mom was given some kind of “twilight” drug and delivered me in a semi-conscious state. There were no mirrors at the foot of the table, no birthing chairs or tubs of warm water. The doctor did what he did.
Today, there are so many more options available for expecting mothers! We have birthing centers, home births, midwives and doulas. You can go natural or elect the drug option. In 1938, only half of American women gave birth in hospitals. By 1958 (20 yrs later) nearly all of them did. Today, more than ¾ of fathers are in the delivery room—but this wasn’t even allowed until the 70’s. The cast of characters on the birth stage has changed & is changing.
Today our guest is Sarah Perry, a doula from Nashville Doula Services. She has 3 sweet boys of her own and was present at the delivery of Renee’s first grandchild just about 4 months ago.
First: what’s the definition of a doula?
Person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth. Someone who offers support & help.
What made you want to do this? Sarah fell in love with the profession after her own experience having a doula during her first son’s birth. She’s used a doula for all three of her pregnancies and deliveries.
What kind of training do doulas get? They have to go through certification and attend multiple births, usually shadowing more experienced doulas. They continue updating their knowledge base after certification.
How many deliveries have you attended? What portion go “as planned”?? Sarah has attended over 40 births, several of them involving multiples. She said NONE go 100% “as planned.” Part of a doula’s job is to help a mom-to-be process through the changes in her preferences if and when those are necessary.
Can’t husband & the nurses support? Why would a husband want a doula? Won’t the room get crowded/overwhelming? Husbands appreciate the help and support a doula can give as much as the mother. Doulas don’t replace a partner’s presence or help, but they can help direct and show them techniques to more beneficially help the laboring mother. Sarah’s husband would say he’d never go through a birth without a doula’s presence. It made him able to be much more supportive of Sarah during their sons’ births.
What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife? Could you/should you consider both? A midwife has actual medical training and can deliver babies. Doulas cannot. Often, a doula and midwife work with the physician as a birth team. Doulas are present the entire time, whereas doctors and nurses are often in and out of the room, tending to other patients. Your doula is yours alone for as long as it takes.
When would an expectant mother typically contact a doula? As early as possible–around 8-10 weeks. You’ll need to time to interview and find the right fit, see if your preferences and approach to birth mesh with your physician’s (and possibly change physicians if not).
What’s the process of finding the right person? You need to be sure your doula is someone you LIKE. She’ll need to be on your team and be your advocate. She’ll need to be willing to try to communicate and implement your preferences during labor (movement during labor, monitoring, IV, breaking water, drugs, episiotomy).
BEFORE: What does a doula do before delivery? What in the world is a birth plan?
-They help you think through: -what do you want to remember? –how do you want to be treated? What would help you process a change of plan? They will walk you through things you’d want to consider such as:
birth team: family/friends? Students/residents? Pictures or video?
Senses: oils, lighting? Music? Prop? Clothing? Heat or clothing?
DURING: Childbirth tends to go more smoothly with a doula: labor is 25% shorter, the need for epidural pain relief is 60% less and the C-section rate is reduced by half. Impressive numbers.
What can parents expect from a doula’s presence in the delivery room? emotional support, massage, and non-medical pain management techniques to keep the laboring mother comfortable and focused throughout her labor and delivery. A birth doula also supports the partner
What if your recommendations/procedures differ from what the MD says?
If there’s an emergent situation, obviously expedient medical care is necessary. Doulas don’t’ interfere with that, but they will help you talk through and process what may need to happen, especially if it differs from what you were expecting or wanting.
AFTER: What does a doula do post-partum?
Doulas work with you to create a customized postpartum care plan. We help you think through the important questions prior to labor to design a care plan that fits your needs after birth. This creates an intentional, peaceful, and enjoyable time for the whole family during the critical (and sometimes stressful) postpartum transition. Developing a schedule for the shifts that will work best for your family, our postpartum doulas provide day and evening support with love and your needs at the top of the list. Together with your doula, you and your partner can decide if you would like support for one day, several days or perhaps for a few weeks. We even provide overnight care.
Sarah is also an expert in belly binding. Doulas can often teach this technique to new mothers. It’s a wrap that helps mothers heal from labor, feel less “empty” after birth, and supports posture during nursing.
Many doula agencies will often offer placenta encapsulation and other options (such as Lotus births and delayed cord cutting after delivery).