Do you have a pre-conceived idea of what a Doula is? What is real life Doulaing? Doulas are normal people with a passion for ensuring every birthing person has a positive, confident experience. Doula’s have often been through labour and have a huge wealth of knowledge about all things labour and birth.
What is a Doula’s aim?
A Doula’s aim is to ensure you have the most positive birthing experience you possibly can. What may seem a routine birth on paper can feel traumatic if you have felt out of control and unsupported throughout it. Our role is to make sure throughout your labour you remain calm, in control and you make any choices through informed consent. Not through pressure from outside influences. Have you ever had an appointment where you’ve come away unable to remember exactly what was discussed? Or frustrated that you didn’t ask all the right questions or feel heard? Your Doula can ‘translate’ the medical jargon, maybe even sit in on your appointments. To prompt you to ask deeper questions ensuring you have enough information to make informed decisions. This avoids you feeling you are being pushed into a particular course of action before you are ready to make that decision for yourself.
Would you like to feel supported during birth?
However, a Doula will have your back and support you whatever birth you wish to have. That may be a drug free home birth or it may be a planned c section! It is your birth, your day and you choice. We will make sure that you know exactly what is going to happen and how – and the benefits and risks of each procedure. Often this involves looking up statistics to get a clearer view of any risks and how minimal or severe they may actually be.
Will my birth partner feel pushed out?
Often birth partners worry that a Doula will replace them or push them out. However, this is a misconception and the complete opposite of a Doulas role! The Doula will encourage and support your birth partner, ensuring they are as involved as they can be. Giving them the feeling they have the Doula to fall back on. This could be if they need a rest, coffee or sleep for a short while. Your birth partner will be more confident and involved in your labour having a Doula present who you have got to know and become comfortable with before the birth.
Can Doula’s make a difference at birth?
There have been various Cochrane studies done which prove that having a doula present during your labour can reduce the need for medical pain relief by around 30%. These Studies also showed that the rates of emergency c sections were lowered by about 40% and the risk of postnatal depression decreased by about 30%. Also, the Cochrane study concluded that having a Doula present during your birth can reduce your expected labour time by about 2 hours.
Doula = birthing bestie!
Your Doula is your birth bestie. Someone to ensure both you and your birth partner have an amazing experience. As well as looking after your best interests at all times. Not tied by hospital guidelines or policies, NHS protocol or lining the pockets of pharmaceutical companies. Your Doula cares about YOU and only you. They’re your ‘emotional midwife’. They will be your advocate and sounding board from the moment you hire them. This can last until long after the baby is born. If you need someone at 1am to reassure you over WhatsApp that Braxton hicks are normal and safe. Need to send a photo of your mucus plug to someone who won’t be grossed out? Need to have a good rant on the phone about random cravings at 39 weeks? Your Doula being on call for you means you always have someone to contact to set your mind at rest.
You should be so excited when you think about the day of your babies birth. There should be no fear or anxieties surrounding your labour. Your Doula will be there every single step of the way. Ensuring you look back on the day your baby was born with a huge smile on your face and feel that huge endorphin high! Your Doula will ensure that you love your labour.
Jess Ramus, owner of Tranquility Birthing. Birth Doula and Hypnobirthing practitioner.
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