PLACENTA TREE MIDWIFERY

                                    The word doula is a Greek word that means women’s servant. Women have been serving other women in childbirth for centuries and have proven that this support from another woman has positive effects on the labor process.

A birth doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner. While she is not a medical professional, she can offer a wide range of comfort measures during labor - from massage to aromatherapy to continuous reassurance and coping techniques.

Women supported by a doula during labor have been shown to have:

• 50% reduction of cesarean rate
• 25% shorter labor
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 30% reduction in analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery

"I think moms should find the doula that is right for them, SO THE BIRTH ENERGY CAN FLOW BETTER"

 "If a new doula feels like a good fit for your personality, then they might be the best doula for you. I hate to see new doulas dismissed because a family thinks they can pay more, and I hate to see couples who want a doula go without because finances are tight."

 Childbirth is a special time in your life, and a once in a lifetime experience for you and this newborn. Your baby, your health, and your memories and experience of the birth are worth the price.

sign a contract with your doula,

A Doula’s Duties

Doulas do whatever you need them to, as long as their duties are limited to physical, informational and emotional support. During labor, doulas provide comfort techniques, position information, suggestions to advance a labor, and general knowledge about birth. Many of them offer more advanced skills such as acupressure, aromatherapy and birthing ball knowledge. A doula can give breaks to your partner, can help you decide whether it’s time to go to the hospital and will remind you to utilize the shower.

 Giving birth
is little more
than a set
of muscular
contractions
granting passage
of a child.
Then the mother
is born.
~~~Erma Bombeck

Why Would I want a Doula?

The answer varies depending on the laboring woman or the couple. Some women do not have a coach or have a partner that doesn’t want to be the coach. Other partners want to know someone else is there to help with the birth. Very few partners have attended births, and many partners become emotionally overwhelmed during a birth. They want to be present to help the laboring woman, but not worry about informational part of birth.

Remember, a doula will never take the place of your partner nor push your partner out of the way so he can be the main support person. A good doula will allow your partner to participate as much or as little as they want to.

What Can’t a Doula Do?

Doulas are not medical professionals. They are not trained to do a vaginal exam, listen to a fetal heartbeat or interpret a fetal monitor. If you are looking for a doula that can do medical support, consider hiring a midwife.

Though doulas can give information regarding birth and interventions, they cannot make decisions for you during your birth.

Hospitals and Doulas

Be aware that some hospitals no longer allow doulas in their birthing suites and other hospitals are becoming antagonistic toward doulas. This is due to any woman being able to call herself a doula and some certifying organizations are sloppy in their training.

Doulas and Breastfeeding

Most doulas promote breastfeeding and stay for an hour or two after the delivery to ensure breastfeeding gets off to a good start. Many doulas carry additional breastfeeding certification. If you want a doula with breastfeeding experience, be sure to ask about this during the interview process.

 Your doula needs to be someone that you and your partner trust, feel comfortable around and someone whose personality matches your own.

In addition, your doula should agree with your birth wishes, no matter what they are. If you want or need additional medications during labor, including the epidural, she should support those needs. You should never feel your doula will force you to make a specific decision during labor. This is your birth, not hers.