Are you starting to think about your birth? Believe it or not, even this early in your pregnancy, it's time to start preparing for that day. You'll need to sign up for birth classes if you haven't already, and it's time to think about what support you'll want in the birth room. You'll likely have your partner with you, and today I'd like to introduce you to a valuable member of your birth team; a birth doula.
Understanding birth doulas A birth doula is a trained non-medial professional who offers continuous physical, emotional and informational support to birthing people and their partners before, during and after birth. Their goal is to help you achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible, however that looks for you. Doulas use a tool bag of pain-relief techniques including breathing stratergies, relaxation techniques, positions etc. They also offer support and advice on what to expect at each stage of the delivery, helping to demystify the process for both you and your partner and relieve anxieties. They are not just for unmedicated labors. A doula can be very useful during an epidural birth and even during a planned cesarean. The presence of a doula can empower you and your partner to make informed decisions, help you to talk with your medical provider and nurses, and contribute to a positive birth experience. Whether it's massaging you, providing words of encouragement, or simply being a calming presence, a doula can offer a level of support that complements the medical care you receive, making your birth journey as smooth and fulfilling as possible. Why consider a doula? Research shows that having a doula as a member of your birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate, reduces the use of pain medication and other interventions, decreases the length of labor and increases the birthing person's satisfaction with their birth. Doulas and partners Your doula is in no way a replacement for your partner. Instead think of them as an enhancement. Part of their job is to help your partner be as involved in supporting you as they want to be. For some couples, both the doula and the partner are providing physical and emotional support and for others, the partner is doing most of it, with suggestions from the doula in how best to do that. Think of it this way; your partner knows you. They know what makes you tick. The doula knows birth. Together they make an amazing team. Finding the right fit Choosing a doula is a very personal decision. Many doulas will have similar training, experience and have attended the same continuing education. Most offer a free meet and greet where you get the chance to find out what they offer and whether they share your particular philosophy towards birth. You will know which doula is the right fit for your family when you meet them, I promise you. How to find a doula I have a page here on my website which lists some of the doulas I recommend in the Seattle area. For doulas beyond Seattle, I recommend checking out DoulaMatch which will give you the names of doulas in your area who are available for your due date.
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What support do you have lined up for after your baby is born? Do you have family close by or able to visit? What kind of support are they able to offer you?
If you don't have family able to provide the support you need, you may want to look into hiring your village instead. Some families find having a housekeeper come in once or twice in the first few weeks at home can take a lot of pressure off them. They can keep the house clean and take care of the laundry / changing the bed etc. For more specialized support, you might consider hiring a postpartum doula. These amazing folks come to your home after you have the baby and support you in the early days and weeks as you get used to caring for your newborn. Postpartum doulas provide: Physical support Recovery from childbirth, whether vaginal or cesarean, takes time and care. A doula assists with healing practices, and provides comfort measures to help speed up recovery. They make you food, ensure you are getting adequate rest and help you troubleshoot what’s a normal part of the healing process and when medical help might be needed. Emotional support Adjusting to life with a newborn can be overwhelming. A postpartum doula offers emotional support, a listening ear, and reassurance both you and your partner, helping to ease the transition and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Infant care assistance From diaper changing to swaddling, and bathing, a postpartum doula educates and assists with all aspects of newborn care as you need, allowing you to gain confidence in your parenting skills. Infant feeding support Whether you choose to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or a combination of both, a doula offers guidance, troubleshooting tips, and support to ensure a positive feeding experience for you and your baby. They also have resources for lactation consultants and other support if needed. Household help Light household duties, such as meal preparation, laundry, and tidying up, are part of a doula’s offerings, helping you to focus more on recovery and bonding with your baby. Night help Some doulas also work overnight, helping you with the baby at night. This can help maximize your nighttime sleep so you can be more awake to take care of your baby during the day. Want to hire a postpartum doula? I have some recommendations on my website. |
AuthorEmma is a childbirth educator, prenatal birth and postpartum massage therapist, doula and overall pregnancy and childbirth junkie living and working in Seattle WA. She's British too which is where the tea bit come from. In England, if you want to have a chat with your friend about anything really, someone puts the kettle on for a nice cup of tea. It doesn't matter what the topic is, a nice cup of tea relaxes everyone, makes the conversation flow easier and generally makes everyone feel good. So you're invited to brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea, pull up a chair around Emma's kitchen table and let's have a good chat, (or chinwag as we say in the UK), about birthy stuff. Archives
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