Birth Doula Support

A birth doula is a companion who supports a birthing person during labor and birth. Birth doulas are trained to provide continuous, one-on-one care, as well as information, physical support, mental support, and emotional support to birthing persons and their partners. Doulas help families to feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth and also helping to create a space where the hormones of labor can work at their best. Whether a birth is completely unmedicated or medically very complex, every family can benefit from nurturing and connection at this tender, incredible time in their lives. 

INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT

Many parents find themselves bombarded with friendly advice, doctor recommendations, medical policies, facility routines, and more information than they could possibly want.  Sometimes  this information can be conflicting and the parents end up in a whirlwind of confusion. he problem is, no one takes the time to fully explain all of these aspects of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. What’s normal? What’s a necessity and what’s superfluous? 

A BIRTH DOULA CAN:

- Provide educational support which helps you and you stay calm and informed. 

- Inform you of options and information concerning your choice of pain relief

- Help you navigate around changes in the birth plan if necessary. 

- Help you make informed decisions regarding your birth preferences.

- Help in significant ways by protecting your experience and advocating for your birth plan.

MENTAL SUPPORT

Most birth professionals would agree that a large chunk of birth, is mindset. Our bodies follow our minds. This is known as psycho-physical association. When we build our mindset on fear and doubt, our bodies tense up, and our fight, flight, & freeze mode switches to on. That is not counterproductive in labor, in fact, it can actively hinder it and slow down progress. On the other hand, when you work to reframe your mindset regarding birth, and build a foundation based on positivity and confidence, your body responds appropriately. Labor can move quicker, is often easier, and you are more likely to have a positive birth experience!

A BIRTH DOULA CAN:

- Pprovide encouragement, positivity, and unwavering support to keep you feeling empowered.

- Dispel myths, misinformation, or fears that might affect your overall mindset.  

- Help you shift your mindset about childbirth. This can help you manifest the birth you want!

- Help in significant ways by protecting your experience and advocating for your birth plan.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

During pregnancy, as you approach the end, It’s completely normal to have feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, worry, and stress. Getting closer to your due date, you may be struggling with  self-doubting questions that start running through your mind.  

A BIRTH DOULA CAN:

- Provide unbiased support without judgement.

- Provide solutions to work through triggers from past trauma and anxieties about childbirth.

- Give you shoulder to cry on, along with a steady voice of reason and encouragement. 

- Remind you of your birth plan preferences and keep you focused and your eye on the prize.

- Be your biggest emotional cheerleader when things get difficult and you are ready to give in.

PHYSICAL SUPPORT

Comfort measures during labor are often covered in childbirth classes and pregnancy books, but once it's all happening it may be hard to remember these thigs in the heat of the moment.  Doulas are trained in a wide variety of labor positions, relaxation techniques, and comfort measures  to increase your comfortability.  

A BIRTH DOULA CAN:

- Suggest methods to help you release pain and tension.

- Suggest techniques to encourage the baby into an optimal position to move your labor along. 

- Bring a sense of calmness  to your labor by suggesting relaxation and breathing techniques.

- Offer a variety of laboring positions that may ease your discomfort.

PARTNER SUPPORT

Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend or another family member, the birth partner’s experience matters in birth. A doula is there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they’d like with the birth. Physical and emotional support make a huge difference for everyone involved. 

A BIRTH DOULA CAN:

- Work with the support person to create a strong and supportive team. 

- Refresh  the support person’s memory if they forget a technique.

- Give constant support -so that the support person to take a break, have a meal, make calls, etc. 

Since the beginning of time babies have been born.  Some with doulas, some without, but regardless, the baby is born. Your body has the ability to birth a baby, and whether you choose to have a doula alongside you is a personal choice.  However, studies have shown that there are many benefits of having a doula. Doula support has been linked to better parenting and higher satisfaction with outcome of the birth  

BENEFITS OF HAVING A BIRTH DOULA 

- Shorter length of labor

- Less use or request for pain medications
- Less inductions and augmentations of labor
- Fewer assisted deliveries

- Lower Cesarean rate
- Increase in successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
- Empowerment of the couple about making choices for their well-being
- Higher satisfaction of their personal accomplishments during labor