Why you should have a Doula

So, you're pregnant. You want your birth to calm, easy and informed. You want someone to ask questions and you want someone there that can support you in addition to the support you may already have. You find yourself scared at times or unsure of how certain things are going to go. You're googling and coming up short in what you can expect. Why not hire an expert? You need a Doula!

Let's talk about what a doula is and why it's SO freaking important regardless of how you birth, what you want from your birth or how great of a support system you have. A doula is defined by DONA International as having the following traits.

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Your birth is yours to rock. But almost everyone I know that has been pregnant and knows how much I love pregnancy and childbirth has texted me and messaged me throughout their pregnancy wanting to know things like "How I didn't have an epidural" and "What should I do to prepare myself for birth" and things of that nature. These are all excellent questions that by the way, I do not mind in the very slightest to answer for you guys. But I'll be the first one to tell you, I'm not an expert on the subject. I have my experience and the knowledge I have accumulated in the last couple years from reading articles and researching but I have had no formal training in birth or breastfeeding or anything of the sort. A doula HAS! She is an expert. She is a wonderful, beautiful, lovely resource for you during your pregnancy AND your birth. She has likely attended a large amount of births and has tons of experience. She is not there to replace any of your supporters. She is not there to intervene or pressure you into anything you don't feel comfortable with. In fact, the word Doula comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "woman who serves". She is there to HELP you succeed. And as amazing as our Partners, Husbands, Moms, Best Friends, etc. are, they simply are not experts on supporting laboring women (and I'm sure they would admit that to you, too ";)) 

So...what's the proof, yo? If you're like me, this is where you're all "YA WHATEVER MAN. I know I can do it and I dont need no hired help."

I feel you. I do. And you know what, I DID. I did do it. It went as well as I could expect for an induced first time mom. But, if I could go back....if I could do it again...I would pay any amount of money, or give any resource I had to have a doula. Please don't regret your birth. Let's talk about the evidence though.

I highly recommend reading THIS article as well as everything else from Evidenced Based Birth because they are phenomenal. But here's the summary for all of you TLDNR (too long did not read)er's.

For most of these outcomes,* the best results occurred when woman had continuous labor support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of the woman’s social network. When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women experienced a:

• 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
• 28% decrease in the risk of C-section*
• 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
• 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
• 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
• 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*

Hmm! That's pretty amazing stuff. And in my opinion well worth the price of a doula. Most of our area doula's have a price tag of $300-$1000 depending on what she offers and other factors. If your first reaction is NO! I CANNOT AFFORD THAT. Don't be so sure. Approach her and see if she will work with you on price. Or, divide her fee into a month amount and save up to pay her before labor. Or, maybe pass up some of those "essentials" (like a crib, baby swing, jogging stroller, etc) and put that money toward a doula. If it's important to you that you enjoy your birth experience this is one of the most fundamental ways you can do that. I have attached several local doulas information below. I pray you check it out. I pray there is never a woman that feels alone in her birth, ever.

http://www.lubbockdoula.com/
http://www.heartforbirth.com/
http://www.hubcitydoula.com/

Did you have a doula? Did it effect the outcome of your birth? Let me know your story :)