Today is World Doula Day, a day to recognize and share the benefits of birth and postpartum doulas. Doula, derived from an ancient Greek word, means a woman who serves. You may have wondered what a doula is or what role they serve in the birthing process.
What is a Doula?
A doula is what I think most of us picture when we imagine the ideal nurse: a caring, encouraging and warm person who helps us through every hard contraction and low point of exhaustion. While many nurses are exactly that type of person; unfortunately they cannot stay with you the entire process and have to attend to medical needs first.
A doula is your own dedicated advocate, a woman who is there to serve you and help you achieve your best birth.
She is there when things do not go as planned; to inform you, advocate for you and help guide uncharted waters. She is not there to judge or impose her own opinions. She is not there to replace your partner or support person. She does not provide medical expertise or practice, but as a birth support advocate, she can provide helpful information and explain what is going on.
Benefits
When first pregnant, my husband and I researched options and spoke with a family member who is a DONA certified, private doula. DONA International is a well known, respected association of doulas that provides education, training and certification opportunities. Our family member shared the clinically researched benefits of having a doula present at birth such as a shorter labor, fewer complications, a reduced need for pitocin as well as other medical interventions such as a cesarean, reduced requests for pain medication, better breastfeeding outcomes and better overall feelings of satisfaction and confidence with the birth experience. You can learn more about these finding via dona.org. These benefits along with my desire to attempt a medication free birth led us to hire a private doula.
Private vs. Hospital-Based
Private doulas typically offer support services prior to birth and meet with you in-person at least twice to discuss your birth plan, questions, concerns and get to know you. They usually block out the ten days to two weeks prior to your due date so they are available at any time your labor starts. Many are available to meet you at your home to help you labor as long as you can before going to the hospital (doulas also assist midwives in home births). They commit to staying with you for the entire labor process (however long that may be), birth and typically remain with you until you are able to breastfeed. Many also offer postpartum services for additional cost.
Hospital-based doulas are typically less expensive than private doula services. They employ on-call doulas for birth which generally means you do not meet your doula before being admitted in labor. Some hospital-based doulas work shifts and then hand off to another doula if your labor and birth extend past their shift change.
Who Should Hire a Doula?
Doulas are particularly helpful if you desire a medication free birth as they are skilled in pain management techniques; however, doulas can support you in any birth you choose. If you are a first time mom, your family lives far away, your partner is unable to be present for birth, you struggle with anxiety about the labor and birth process, or you would like an encouraging, supportive presence then I recommend checking out your local doula options. Military spouses whose partner is deployed for birth should always check both private and hospital-based options as many of the fees are discounted or waived.
Albuquerque Options
The options for Albuquerque are many. Check out www.phs.org to learn more about Presbyterian Hospital Doula Services or call 505-563-6500. If a deployed father cannot be present for the birth, service fees are waived. There are several Albuquerque based cooperatives. Visit Inspired Birth and Families at inspiredabq.com, Doulas of the Southwest at doulasofthesouthwest.com, New Life Birth Services at newlifebirthservices.org or you can also visit dona.org to access a searchable database of certified doulas in New Mexico.
I credit a large portion of my positive birth experiences to the presence of my doulas. Check back tomorrow to read my experience with the Presbyterian Doula Program.
Have you employed a doula? What was your experience? Was it worth it? We want to hear from you!
