Why Do You Need a Doula?

The use of Doulas during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period has grown in recent years but their services and expertise are more than you may realize. More and more women are taking ownership of their birth experience and utilizing doulas at part of the process. And here’s why:

WHEN YOU HIRE A DOULA, YOU ARE:

Creating a support team who really knows you. You wouldn’t buy a new car, buy a home, even purchase a television without doing your due diligence, would you? So why wouldn’t you do the same for something as important as the birth of your child! Many women believe that their delivery facility will do what’s best for them and their family. But how will your provider and the facility know what’s best for you? Do they know your hopes and desires for the birth? Do they know your history? Not just your medical history but your emotional history as well? Medical professionals and institutions make the best decisions they can within the permitted framework of their hospital or birth center. But only you know what’s best for you and your family. Hiring a doula allows you to connect with someone who will take the time to get to know you, explore your hopes, desires, fears, concerns, history and how they might impact your birth experience. In developing this relationship you will have someone who is better armed to support you during your labor and delivery.

Taking some unnecessary pressure off your partner. Most first time parents are not prepared for the amount of time they are left on their own in a labor and delivery room. Let’s face it, nurses are overworked and your provider is typically managing multiple births at once. Your labor and delivery nurse will be there to take care of all the clinical responsibilities relating to your birth, however, they rarely have time to give support beyond a few minutes here or there. In their absences, this responsibility of physical and emotional support falls on your partners shoulders. Hiring a doula ensures that you will have someone by your side to support you from the start of your labor until after the birth of your baby, and afterwards. Your doula is trained in emotional, physical and educational support and has attended many births, so she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Learning ALL your options Your doula doesn’t just provide emotional and physical support, they also provide EDUCATIONAL support. What does that look like? During your prenatal visit your doula will take time to discuss your desires for your birth, how to better prepare your body for labor, potential interventions and how these can be adjusted from the norm in ways that will work best for you and your family. That way, if/when an intervention arises, your doula can create some space and time to discuss these options with you so you are not rushed into an unwanted/unnecessary intervention.

Taking control of your birth experience Having a birth plan is a fantastic first step in preparing for your birth experience. Showing up to your birthing facility with a doula sends a very clear message to everyone involved in your labor that you have done your research and are aware of your options above and beyond the standard of care.

Do you know the benefits of hiring a labor doulas? They include the following: 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience. 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin during labor 28% decrease in the risk of a Cesarean Section 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being send to the NICU 12% INCREASE in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief