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Doulas |
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 How can a doula benefit you?by Sheridan Ripley, HCHI
Up until the late 1800's women were attended to, by other women during their births. They may have been midwives or just a caring neighbor or family member. A basic belief was shared that a woman was easily able to give birth, and the same woman would stay with the mom throughout her birthing time, giving her physical and emotional support, continuing for a time afterward to make sure that the mom and baby were doing well. This continuity helped the mothers feel safe and supported in this transition from pregnancy to motherhood.
The thing that is missing from many births today is that continuity of a caring woman. It is expected that the dad can be the "coach", but the dads often do not know what to expect any more than the moms do. They aren't usually educated in what the typical interventions are in a hospital birth and the pros and cons of them. It is hard for them to see their partner uncomfortable and stay calm and confident. Dads often just don't have the same kind of touch a woman would have.
Typically parents are going into an unfamiliar environment (a hospital) to have a baby, where the birth is sadly treated like a medical event instead of a life changing spiritual event. Mom is treated like a patient and is frequently forced into the hospitals and care providers routines, procedures and timelines. It is often an unknown of who will even be there when the baby is born. which Dr. will be on call, etc. The moms hope for a nice nurse (knowing the OB will just be there to "catch" the baby) to guide them, but even if they get a great nurse whom they develop a great rapport with, she has other responsibilities and patients to care for and she might have to leave because her shift is over, regardless of if her shift ends right at a crucial part of the birth.
A doula fulfills this role of being a consistent, caring, supportive person during a family's transition from pregnancy to parenthood. She can help translate medical talk, reminding the parents of the pros and cons and natural alternatives of suggested interventions, reminding them of what they desired in their birth plan. Then the doula steps back and lets them decide what is best for them, continuing to support them with whatever they choose. A doula stays with the mom throughout the birth suggesting positional changes, giving massages, making sure she stays hydrated, empties her bladder frequently and offering emotional and other physical support. The doula continues to stay for about 1-2 hours after the baby is born to help in whatever way she can; offering breastfeeding support, getting nourishment for the mom and dad, taking pictures. If the baby needs to go to the NICU, the dad is able to go with the baby and the mom is able to have a caring supportive person with her during this difficult separation.
The main purpose of a doula is to support the mom and dad in whatever way they need during and immediately after the birth, while remaining a calm and positive presence. Depending on the couple or the situation, the doula may take more of a guiding position, where she helps the dad help the mom; if he is unsure in a situation she can offer him encouragement and give him ideas of what to do. The dad and doula make a great team, working together in supporting the mom. I was in a situation where the dad was sick with a bad cold during the birth and I took much more of an active roll, while he sat in a chair watching and offering verbal support. It was nice for him to know she was taken care of, with me giving her massages, helping her get to the bathroom, getting them both drinks and snacks (I felt like I was HIS doula too). This helped make the birth better for both of them.
My experiences have shown and studies confirm that everyone benefits when a doula attends a birth. The dad feels a weight lifted from his shoulders, he feels supported in his role and can relax and enjoy the birth more. The mothers benefit physically by having a decrease in cesarean births, decrease in some interventions such as Pitocin augmentations and the length of their labors are shorter. The mothers also benefit emotionally. Studies show that mothers with doulas are more satisfied with their births than mothers without doulas. The babies benefit as studies have shown that mothers that have doulas are more likely to still be breastfeeding at 6 weeks and these mothers bond more quickly with their babies.
I think that when every birthing mother who wants a doula, has one at her birth, the childbirth climate in the USA will change for the better. Mothers will be empowered to make their own choices regarding their birth. Dads will better know how to support their partner as they make this special journey together of the birth of their baby. Birth will become a more positive experience that women look forward to with anticipation and joy.
Sheridan Ripley is the mother of 3 boys (1 cesarean and 2 VBAC births, both using hypnosis) a Hypnobabies Instructor and Doula. She is a passionate Lactivist and VBACtivist. Visit her websites at www.enjoybirth.com and www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com |
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According to Karen N. Kilson CD (DONA) of BirthWays...birthing support in CT
A DOULA DOES
...provide physical support to the birthing mother. She may suggest positions that will enhance the birthing or provide relief. She may walk with her to facilitate the birthing progress. According to the mother's wishes and needs, she may massage various areas of the mother's body, cool her face, bring her ice chips, help her turn, apply heat or cold, or assist her to visit the bathroom.
...enhance the mother's ability to relax and conserve her strength for the breathing down. She may use visualization, music, massage, hypnosis or guided imagery. She becomes a constant for the mother with encouragement during a vulnerable time.
...allow the birth partner to participate at his/her own comfort level. She can show him how to use appropriate techniques to help the birthing mother, or can allow him to simply hold the mother's hand, freeing him to simply bond emotionally.
...provide emotional support for the couple. She provides verbal encouragement and assurance when needed, and can help keep the mother focused and in control of her birthing. She understands the anxiety and vulnerability the couple may be experiencing.
...provide environmental comfort, creating an environment that best aids a woman in birth. She may change the lighting or sound level, play music, adjust the temperature, or straighten the room, according to the mother's needs and wishes.
...provide informational support. She understands the process of birth and can explain it. Without making decisions for the couple, she can answer questions for them to allow them to consider their choices and alternatives. When necessary she will bring a member of the medical staff to the couple for additional questions. She strongly supports informed choice, and will support the birthing mother in her decisions.
...stay with the couple throughout their birthing experience. A doula does not leave when the shift changes. There is no need for the couple to acquaint themselves with a new doula partway through the Birthing Time
A DOULA DOESN'T
...perform clinical tasks, such as giving vaginal exams, taking blood pressure readings, or administrating medication...these types of tasks are the responsibility of the clinical staff. Her only concern is the physical comfort and emotional well-being of the birthing mother.
...take the place of the birthing mother's partner. On the contrary, her presence can lessen a partner's anxiety, allowing him/her to participate in the birth at his own level of comfort.
...make decisions for the couple. She provides information to empower the couple to make their own personal choices, and supports those choices.
...intervene between the couple and the medical staff. She will, however, facilitate that communication.
...leave the couple at shift changes. She is with the birthing mother throughout her Birthing Time and for the important period of time following birth.
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How do I locate a doula near me?
If you feel you would like a doula to assist you during your childbirth, begin to search for one well in advance of the end of your pregnancy. One approach is the logical route. Check with hospitals and birthing centers, midwives, childbirth instructors, breastfeeding organizations, even in the yellow pages of your phone directory. You may find these sources have information or may provide you with leads as to where to call.
Another approach would be more direct. Contact one of the organizations that formally train doulas in their profession. These organizations usually keep a referral list and can give you a list of names and phone numbers for doulas in your state. I have listed three of them here below:
DONA International (DONA)
Phone - (888) 788-DONA (toll free)
www.dona.org
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
Phone - (888) MYCAPPA (toll free)
www.cappa.net
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
Phone - (888) 222-5223 (toll free)
www.alace.org
More information on doulas at Karen Kilson's website:
http://birthways-support.com |
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Having a Hypnobabies Birth? You need a Professional Hypno-Doula!
It is *wonderful* to have a doula as an advocate for you (especially if you're having a hospital birth,) to make sure your Birth Preferences are honored, and to be a nurturing presence; one that knows so many ways to help your Birthing Time progress and be more comfortable if needed, etc. You need to know that the doula you choose can help you best by becoming completely familiar with the philosophy, techniques, cue words, etc of your Hypnobabies program.
Traditional doula training provides the birthing woman with much more physical activity to stay comfortable, while using hypnosis entails much more "going inside" and specific cues that have been programmed subconsciously. Hypnobabies moms can indeed use upright positions, birth balls and walk if they want to, but this will be for progress if needed or descent and positioning of your baby, and not to maintain comfort. Unless a doula is familiar with all of this, she may not help the woman in the ways she truly needs to give birth using hypnosis.
Certainly a doula that hasn't previously been trained in Hypnobabies can be effective, they just need to be educated about hypnosis for birth and be willing to birth-assist a different way. Since all birthing women have different needs, flexibility is the mark of a good doula anyway!
(One of the best ways to make sure your doula becomes familiar with and trained in Hypnobabies is to bring her to your Hypnobabies Class! Doulas are always welcome and certainly learn a great deal from being there with you in class.)
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Doulas can be wonderful at a Hypnobabies birth, and they simply need to learn to be "hypno-helpful", such as:
1) Learn and practice the techniques and hypno-cues ahead of time with the couple, in a few Birth Rehearsals, as well as use only Hypnobabies words. This reinforces your practice and helps form a bond between you and your doula.
2) Be a liaison for the couple with hospital staff, explaining that they need darkness, solitude and quiet, keeping distraction to a minimum, etc.
3) Learn and use hypnotic Deepening techniques with the Hypno-mom, for use in Transformation stage.
4) Help with Fear Release and hypno-cues during your Birthing Time, (trading off with the Birth Partner when he/she is tired, but not replacing them).
5) Get the Hypno-mom up to change positions or go to the bathroom immediately after a birthing wave is over, and helping her to remain in hypnosis when she gets where she is going with Birth Prompts, and reminders of her mental "Lightswitch" and "Peace" cues.
6) Be aware that positional changes and upright positions are mainly used for descent and positioning of your baby, and not for comfort, in hypnotic childbirth. When using hypnosis for childbirth, physical comfort comes from going deeper inside the inner mind and relaxing the birthing muscles very deeply, so doulas need to keep that in mind.
7) At Hypnobabies, we have a wonderful Hypno-Doula Workbook that teaches traditionally trained doulas to easily work with our terrific Hypnobabies couples and support them in a much more helpful and effective way. You or your doula can order it here. |
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Copyright Hypnobabies 2010. All rights reserved.
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