Answers
What
are the benefits of using a doula?
Studies have shown the
following benefits of having a doula
present at birth:
-
45% reduction in
c-section rates
-
25% shorter labor
-
60% reduction in
epidural requests
-
50% reduction in
pitocin use
-
31% reduction in
analgesia use
-
34% reduction in
forceps or vacuum deliveries
Women who have used a
doula at birth are more satisfied with
their births, feel more confident before
and after the birth, show a quicker rate
of bonding with their newborn, are less
likely to have post-partum depression,
and more likely to breastfeed.
Back to questions.
What
services does a birth doula provide?
Birth doula services
generally include:
-
-
availability
24/7 before and during labor to
answer any questions or concerns
-
exercise and
physical suggestions to make
pregnancy more comfortable
-
assistance in
finding information in order to
help the woman make an informed
decision about her birth
-
-
explanations of
medical procedures
-
help with
preparation of a birth plan and
the carrying out of that plan
-
facilitation of
communication between the
laboring woman, her partner, and
her care providers
-
continuous
physical and emotional support
throughout the entire labor and
birth
-
an understanding
of the physiology of birth
-
massage and
other non-pharmacological pain
relief measures
-
suggestions on
position changes during labor
and birth
-
support for the
woman’s partner so that he or
she can love and encourage the
laboring woman
-
helping the
woman avoid unnecessary
interventions
-
help with the
initial breastfeeding experience
-
a written record
of the birth
-
recognition of
birth as a key life experience
that the mother will remember
forever.
Back to questions.
Do you
work with a back-up doula?
Doulas should have
back-up doulas in the unlikely event
that two clients go into labor at the
same time, the doula (or a family
member) is ill, or other urgent matters
prevent her from attending your birth.
Back to questions.
Where do
doulas attend births?
Most doulas attend the
birthing woman wherever she chooses to birth
(hospital, birth center, or home). When
you interview doulas, be sure to ask if
they are comfortable with your chosen
birth place. Some doulas will go to a
woman's home earlier in labor and follow
her to the hospital or birth center when
it's time to go.
Back to questions.
Does a
doula interfere with the father's role in
the birth?
The doula helps the
father/woman’s partner feel comfortable
and confident by making sure his needs
are met (food, drink, reassurance,
etc.). The doula encourages the father
to participate at his own comfort level.
She also shows him what he can do to
help. This makes it so the woman and
her partner can work more closely
together. Some partners prefer to be
there only to witness the birth of their
child and to share this experience with
the woman they love. They may not want
to play an active role and do not want
to be responsible for the woman's
comfort and emotional security. The
doula can fill in and allow the partner
to participate as he wishes, without
leaving the woman's needs unmet. When
the partner chooses to be the major
source of emotional support, the doula
can supplement his or her efforts by
running errands, making suggestions for
comfort measures, and offering words of
reassurance and comfort. During a long,
tiring labor, she can give the partner a
break for a brief rest or change of
scene. While the doula probably knows
more than the partner about birth,
hospitals, and maternity care, the
partner knows more about the woman's
personality, likes and dislikes, and
needs. Moreover, he loves the woman more
than anyone else there. The combined
contributions of both partner and doula,
along with a competent, considerate, and
caring staff give the woman the best
chance of an optimal outcome.
Back to questions.
How
does a doula interact with hospital staff?
Won't my nurse fill this role?
Labor and Delivery
nurses are usually providing care and
treatment for many patients at a time.
This limits the time spent with each
individual patient. The nurse’s main
responsibility is to monitor the
progress and medical condition of the
laboring woman (and her baby) and give
that information to the care provider.
Nurses also work on shifts, so if your
labor spans across a shift change you
will get a new nurse and will need to
re-establish a working relationship with
her. A doula will provide you with
continuous support throughout your
entire labor and help for some time
after the birth as you and your partner
are adjusting to this miracle called
“birth”.
Back to questions.
Do I
need a doula if I'm planning a homebirth
and/or am using a midwife?
Your midwife will be
taking care of clinical tasks in
addition to providing you with physical
or emotional support. Having a doula
present takes the pressure off your
midwife because your doula will be
providing most of the support, which
allows your midwife to focus more on the
clinical aspects of your labor and
birth. If you are birthing in a
hospital with a midwife, she may not be
able to stay with you throughout your
whole labor (as she has to complete
hospital paperwork or attend to other
laboring women under her care). In my
experience attending home births as a
doula and as a woman who has used doulas
at home births, I feel strongly that
doulas are helpful members of the home
birth team as each labor support person
brings something unique to offer the
birthing woman.
Back to questions.
What
if I am planning on using medication? What
is a doula's role then?
The role of the doula
here is to give information to the woman
and/or couple to help them make the most
informed decision on their choices. A
doula should always respect the choice
of birth the woman has chosen. If
planning a medicated birth, the doula is
an asset to the birthing team by helping
the woman labor comfortably until the
medication can be given and helping
avoid unnecessary interventions. The
doula is also an asset if medication is
not an option or is not working
effectively.
Back to questions.
Will a doula force her idea of a perfect
birth on me?
The doula helps with
decision-making by asking and answering
questions to ensure that the woman or
couple are informed as they make their
decisions. She may also suggest
alternatives for the couple to consider.
She does not, however, make decisions
for the couple or force her idea of a
perfect birth on the woman and/or
couple. Her job is to facilitate the
realization of the woman’s idea of her
own perfect birth.
Back to questions.
How much
does a doula cost?
In Utah, doula fees
range anywhere between $150 - $750
depending on the services provided and
the doula's training and
experience. Some doulas offer a sliding
scale or even attend births for free for
women who truly cannot afford the cost
of a doula.
Back to questions.
Does
medical insurance cover doula services?
Most insurance
companies do not cover the cost of
doulas at this time. You may be able to
pay for doula services out of your
medical savings account, flexible
spending account, or cafeteria plan. If
finances are an issue for you, ask the
doula if she offers sliding scale,
trades, or payment plans.
Back to questions.
Will
it be weird to have a stranger at such a
private moment as birth?
A doula will be no
stranger by the time of the birth. She
will meet with you and your partner
during your pregnancy to discuss your
birth plan and goals. These visits
generally last 1-2 hours. Your doula
will be familiar with your medical
history and will know what issues are
important to you. She will likely be
less of a stranger to you than your
doctor or midwife and the many nurses
that you may see.
Back to questions.
Will a
doula's presence invade our privacy during
the birth? Can we ask her to leave for a
few moments without offending her?
A doula should not take
offense to this request. The role of the
doula is to offer complete support to
both woman and/or couple. If your wish
is to have the doula leave for a moment,
it is the duty of a doula to support you
by leaving the room.
Back to questions.
What
training does a doula receive? What
certification is available?
Doula training is
available through
DONA (Doulas of North America),
CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum
Professional Association),
ALACE (Association of Labor
Assistants and Childbirth Educators),
and
ICEA (International Childbirth
Education Association). I certified
through DONA in 2004 as a Birth Doula
and the HypnoBirthing InstituteTM
in 2004 as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner.
I have also received additional training
as a birth doula through the
HypnoBirthing InstituteTM. In
2006 I chose not to recertify as a
HypnoBirthing Practitioner and instead
certified to teach
HypnobabiesTM. I now
offer
hypno-doula training to traditional
doulas interested in learning how to
best support hypnosis clients.
Back to questions.
