Doulas: Easing Birth

Doulas: Easing Birth

Labor Coaches

By Star Lawrence
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

When Barbara and Christopher Lawton were planning for the birth of their son almost two years ago, the midwife practice they were using in Pittsburgh asked them if they were going to use a doula during childbirth. "I didn't even know what that was," says Barbara.

A doula, Lawton found out, is a private labor assistant ... not a doctor, not a nurse, not a midwife. Indeed, a doula (a Greek word meaning "women supporting women") is not a medical professional at all. Rather, she provides support and encouragement throughout labor and delivery, and often, after the baby is born, as well.

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Doulas are a centuries-old tradition, but have become popular again in the U.S. in the past 15 or so years. "Having another woman's presence during childbirth is very helpful," says Pam Lesser, RNC, MS, manager of women's support services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. While many labor-delivery nurses would like to provide the encouragement that delivering moms need, the fact is that because of the time constraints nurses face in today's hospitals, it's not likely that one nurse will be able to provide the support that most women need during this time.

Doulas do not take the place of a woman's partner. "The mother's partner is an integral part of the experience and an extremely supportive one," Lesser says. "But it's unreasonable to expect the partner -- who is as emotionally involved as the expectant mom -- to provide all the support."

Continuous Support

According to the organization, DONA (Doulas of North America), doulas are women who are trained and experienced in childbirth, whether or not they have actually given birth themselves. The doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. She offers help and advice on such measures as breathing, relaxation, movement, and positioning. She also helps the mom-to-be (and her partner, if one is there) gather information about the course of her labor and options during labor and delivery. And perhaps most important, she provides continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.

It's that word -- continuous -- that is such a vital part of a doula's role. "My doula met me at the hospital at noon, and was still there the following day at 4:30 when I finally saw my son for the first time," says Lawton.

"That continuous presence is extremely important," says Lesser. "It's a great asset. The doula never leaves the mom's side. That's her job."

Barnes-Jewish Hospital thinks so much of the value of doulas that in 1998, the hospital established its own doula program. Today, there are approximately 50 doulas on staff, so that any woman who would like to have a doula during her labor and delivery can request one. The service is provided free of charge. Approximately 25% of the women delivering at Barnes-Jewish ask for a doula, says Lesser.

Fewer Complications

Research findings seem to back up the value of having a doula during childbirth. In the late 1970s, Drs. John Kennell and Marshall Klaus looked into ways to enhance the emotional bonding between mother and newborn. They found that having a doula in the labor room not only improved that bond, but also seemed to decrease the incidence of complications.

"Studies have shown that doulas can lead to fewer Cesarean sections, a shorter labor, fewer requests for pain medication or epidurals, less need for oxytocin, and fewer instances of forceps delivery," says Lesser. "The role of the doula has increasingly been adapted as part of a positive birthing experience."

Sarah Pinkner is a doula at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. While many doulas are hired privately by expectant parents, Pinkner enjoys being part of the hospital's staff. "Women of so many different cultures come into Barnes-Jewish," she explains. "This is an opportunity for them to take advantage of a service they may not have known about, or perhaps could not afford on their own." The cost of a doula varies throughout the country, but generally ranges from $200-$800.

Hiring a Doula

There are no state licensing requirements for doulas, but many do go through a 16-hour certification process offered by DONA that includes training in:

• The emotional and psychological process of labor and birth.
• The anatomy and physiology of reproduction, labor, and birth.
• Comfort measures and non-pharmacological pain-management techniques.
• Appropriate topics for prenatal and postpartum discussion with clients.
• Discussion of ethics and standards of practice for the doula.
• Referral sources for client needs beyond the scope of the doula.
• Communication skills and values clarification.

If the birthing center you are planning to use doesn't provide doulas as part of its services and you are interested in hiring one privately, DONA recommends asking the following questions:

• What training have you had?
• What has been your experience with childbirth, personally and as a doula?
• What is your philosophy about childbirth?
• May we discuss our birth plans and what kind of role you can play in supporting me through childbirth?
• May we call you with questions before and after the birth?
• At what point do you come to us? Do you meet us at home or at the hospital?
• Do you meet with us after the birth?
• Do you work with any other doulas in case you're not available? May we meet with them?
• What is your fee?

"My doula was a very important source of encouragement," says Lawton. Which is just what the doula herself is aiming for, Pinkner says.

"It's a chance for me to make a difference."

http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/doulas-easing-birth

Doulas Aren't Just for Hippie Homebirths

Midwives and doulas both play important roles in a birth. A midwife can be someone with medical training who aids you at a hospital, birthing center, or even in your home. But a doula's role is much different, and often very misunderstood.

Even more misunderstood is the value of a doula.

After all, why would you want to pay hundreds of dollars for someone just to focus on YOU, especially if you're in a hospital, or even having a c-section,why would you want a doula?

Well, there are lots of reasons why ...

Well, first remember that the midwife's job is to be there for you birthing your baby. To help you move around, watch for any red flags, and know what to do if any situations NEED interference or guidance, or rarely, medical intervention (certified midwives have life-saving tools and training, much like an EMT).

Your doula's job, on the other hand, has little to do with the baby and everything to do WITH YOU. Her title translates to "servant of the mother." Her job is to focus on you, and just you. Women who use doulas often have less complications and shorter labors.

In a home birth setting, she can help gently remind you of things you wanted to try, such as a birthing ball, different pushing positions, a hot shower, or a back massage. She can start the tub for you if she sees you're getting uncomfortable. She can help you remember birth affirmations (positive phrases) such as, "My body is made to do this" and "Self-doubt is the sign that it's almost over", which you can choose ahead of time.

In a hospital setting, she can help you keep your mind on the goals you had in advance. A good doula will ask, "Did you want time to think about that?" if a nurse is demanding you have something done, so you can be free of pressure before making decisions, and help with reminding you and your partner of the choices you'd made ahead of time about things such as methods of pain management, positions you'd like to try. She can remind you of things you'd intented on asking for, such as no mention of an epidural being made in your presence, that the wireless fetal monitors be used before they suggest you lay down. In essence, your birth plan. For example, if you're having back labor, rocking on hands and knees can help immensely, and that can be a part of your plan that your doula reminds you of, since in labor, stress can take over ... especially if the situation isn't kept stress-free (part of her job as well).

I wish I'd had a doula during my birth, especially for the time where my husband had to leave me by myself while he took my son to my friend's to be babysat. That was when I hit transition, and freaked out. The self-doubt got to me, and I had no one to talk me down or comfort me at that point, which a doula would have done.

She can even be your support during a c-section, to help you emotionally during both the surgery prep, and during the hard time after the baby's out, where often you can't see them, and the sensations are nauseating. She can help remind you (or your spouse) that you wanted the baby brought to you as soon as possible to initiate breastfeeding, or that your husband was going to keep the baby in his sight at all times and remind doctors that no formula or glucose was to be given. Or whatever things you might choose. Everyone has preferences.

The biggest questions is: Does a doula replace your husband/partner? The answer is absolutely, positively NOT. In fact their goal is often to help your partner be MORE involved, letting him know that putting gentle pressure at this certain point on your back can help, or showing him how to support you while you squat. Her goal is never, ever to replace your partner but actually to make him feel even more useful and important.

If you're interested in a doula, interview them during your pregnancy, and be discriminate -- you need to feel very comfortable with this person, or the point is moot. Your spouse should be part of the interview process as well.

If you're a military spouse and your husband is deployed for your birth, you can actually get a doula (for free) through Operation Special Delivery.

Posted by Christie Haskell