Why Hire a Doula?
If the doula were a drug it would be unethical
not to use it. John H. Kennell, M.D.
The day you labor and give birth is likely to be simultaneously one of the most challenging and most joyful days of your life. Having the continuous support of a knowledgeable, experienced, skilled, and caring person who truly believes in your ability to give birth is indispensable. Numerous controlled studies find that birthing parents who have the support of a birth doula experience the following benefits 1:
- shorter labor
- less pain and anxiety during labor
- less likely to need pain medication or epidural analgesia
- less likely to need Pitocin or other drugs to stimulate labor
- less complications and less medical interventions used during labor
- 50% less likely to have a cesarean (or vacuum or forceps)
- shorter hospital stay following birth
- better mood following birth & happier memories of birth
- more success breastfeeding
Labor Massage Techniques & Effects
Beyond standard doula support, as a Licensed Massage Therapist I use a variety of massage therapy techniques (including specific acupressure points) and positioning suggestions in order to do the following:
- Soothe and relax the body and mind in between contractions
- Reduce the pain of contractions by inhibiting pain pathways of the nervous system
- Reduce low-back pain (particularly helpful in cases of “back labor”)
- Relieve muscle cramps
- Help naturally stimulate labor if you are past your due date and trying to avoid a medical induction
- Speed up a slowed or stalled labor
- Help the pelvic bones spread and open to make more room for the baby to descend
- Assist in turning the baby if s/he is in an unfavorable position
- Help to bring the baby down during pushing
5 Practical Reasons to have the Support of a Birth Doula:
Access to well-rounded information
As a doula and a certified childbirth educator, I am knowledgeable about all of the typical medical interventions involved in childbirth as well as many natural and minimally invasive alternatives to these interventions so that you may try something less invasive before resorting to riskier medical interventions. I see births in a variety of settings with different practitioners so I have a unique view into the best practices in childbirth.
I am also knowledgeable about the difference between evidence-based care in childbirth and routine medical interventions that are not supported by the evidence. Unfortunately, many routine hospital procedures and obstetrical interventions are not supported by the evidence and this can significantly affect the outcome of your birth. So before you are actually in labor, I will help you determine whether your birth setting and caregiver matches up with your preferences.
If you find that it is not a good match, you can always change providers. I have supported many expectant parents through changing caregivers and/or birth settings, even late in their pregnancies. Either way, I will help you clarify your preferences and know your options regarding all aspects of childbirth. For example, I will help you understand what the medical evidence says about why you would or would not want IV fluids or a hep-lock, why would you might choose one type of fetal monitoring over another, why you would want to delay cord clamping and whether it is ever a good idea to bank cord blood, and so on. When you are in labor, I can help you understand why an intervention is being suggested, what questions to ask your caregivers about the risks, potential benefits, and alternatives.
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Continuous reassurance & questions answered
Having someone by your side during labor who has seen many births and really believes in your ability to give birth will reduce your anxiety and therefore lead to a quicker and smoother birth (anxiety significantly disrupts the normal physiology of labor).
For most expectant parents planning hospital births there is benefit to staying home until you are well into active labor and this is much easier to do if you have someone with experience reassuring you and helping you to determine when is a good time to go to the hospital. Even when you arrive at the hospital you most likely will not see your doctor or midwife right away (and once you do, they will generally only be in and out every couple of hours of so until it is time to push), and the nurses will generally only be in and out every so often to perform clinical tasks. Having a doula with you throughout your time in the hospital means that you and your partner will never be alone in the room wondering what is happening - you will have a knowledgeable ally there to address any questions or concerns as soon as they arise. Your doula can also help you to interpret what hospital staff and caregivers are communicating to you and help you to make informed decisions about any interventions that are suggested.
For women planning a home birth, your doula will generally be with you for many hours before your midwife arrives and can help you determine when it is a good time to call in your midwife. Even when your midwife arrives, as wonderful and supportive as they may be, their primary role is still to focus on clinical care, whereas your doula will always be focused on your support and comfort. These are two complimentary, yet separate, roles.
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Natural pain management
Doulas are trained in natural pain management techniques for labor. As a licensed massage therapist, I can use massage, acupressure and cupping therapy for pain management in addition to positioning suggestions, hydrotherapy (use of hot and cold water applications), breathing and focusing techniques, and so on. I use specific massage techniques that help to block the neurological pain pathways from the pelvic region to the brain.
I will also help you determine when is a better time to get into the shower versus the tub for pain management (at certain points in labor the tub can either slow down or speed up labor). For birthing parents who hope to avoid pain medication this support is indispensable.
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Advice regarding labor progress
As your doula, I will always keep an eye on how your labor is progressing. I will take note of what seems to be helping or hindering labor progress and make suggestions to you to help keep things moving and prevent problems before they arise. For example, if I notice that your labor seems to be slowing down and you have been in one position for a while, I may suggest that we talk a walk, change position, or use the bathroom (emptying the bladder can help and so can the act of simply sitting on the toilet for a little while).
Or if you have back labor, I will help you use particular positions to help the baby change position and specific massage techniques to minimize the back pain. This is one of the reasons you are less likely to need medical interventions with the support of an experienced doula -- I can help you resolve minor problems naturally before they become bigger problems that require a medical intervention.
In a hospital setting (even with some midwives) you may be surprised to find that typically the only tools that are used to solve problems are medical interventions (such as Pitocin for stalled labor), even though there are many safe and effective alternatives (often as simple as changing position, walking around, or simply being patient). I will help you use simple non-invasive alternatives for problems with labor progress first so that medical intervention is used as a last resort instead of an immediate go-to solution.
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My husband was very skeptical at first but he now sings your praises and often states that he doesnt know how he would have made it with out you. He is amazed at how strong and steadfast you are and he is very thankful for your support of both us and our process. K.L., Lawyer & Mother, Brooklyn
Support for your partner
Many of my client’s partners feel that my presence takes the pressure off of them as the sole support person. I can give your partner advice on how to best support you and your partner will also have me to confide in if they are feeling anxious or have any questions. Your partner will be able to give you loving emotional support while I help you with pain management. Most partners have expressed to me that they were able to be more calm, focused, and present because of having me at the birth.
I will be there to support the two of you as a team (not to replace your partner as the sole support person). I will also be watching out for your partner's needs and can ensure that you will never be left alone if you partner must take a nap or get something to eat.
Read more Lena is currently not attending births, please contact us for personalized referrals
