The topic of caring for oneself has also come into the sphere of pregnancy and childbirth. Doulas have made a big contribution to this trend. If you still have not figured out who a doula is and what her role in childbirth is, you are not alone. These questions are still being asked by many. We will try to answer them.
To begin with, a doula is not a medical staff. It will not replace a doctor or a midwife, but it can become an indispensable support for a woman at all stages of childbirth, as well as before and after them.
Why, then, in childbirth, a person who does not provide medical assistance, does not listen to the heartbeat, does not look at the disclosure? This is a professional who will provide continuous support: moral, physical, emotional and informational — for as long as a woman needs it.
It happens that childbirth lasts for long hours. And the medical staff simply cannot sit and hold the hand of the woman in labor, and the doula will do it.
The doula has many tools in his arsenal that will make childbirth sound completely different.
The doula will show different breathing techniques and meditation practices, exercises to relieve pain with the help of sound. She will also offer a hundred and one massage options, in her capacious bag you can find prickly balls and a Mexican rebozo scarf, which is also given a special massage.
The important point is that although a doula does not provide medical advice, she can help decipher medical terms, as well as provide additional information based on evidence-based medicine sources.
You can prescribe a birth plan in advance not only with a doctor, but also with a doula. For example, is aromatherapy needed? There are aromas that can alleviate pain, there are those that will give strength.
The doula can call staff when needed. And until that moment, give food, drink, and also rest or even sleep if the birth is long.
If the partner is also present at the birth, then the doula allows him to participate in the birth only as much as he is comfortable with. In this case, the partner can exit the process, and the woman in labor will not be left without support.
According to research, doula support during labor has an impact on both the course of labor and the feeling of satisfaction with it.
So, if you decide that it is important for you to have such a specialist in your birth, then here are some recommendations on how to choose the right “combat girlfriend”.
Meet before birth
At least once. Talk, discuss the scenario of childbirth. Childbirth does not have to go according to a clear plan, but you will know what your specialist has in his arsenal. For example, one of the doulas always takes a warm drink in a thermos, chocolate for mom and a column with meditative music to childbirth. These little things can make a big difference that day.
You must be on the same wavelength
In addition to technical equipment and an arsenal of pleasant, useful and helpful devices and skills, you need to catch the feeling when you speak the same language with a person, have common values. All doulas are very different, and it’s definitely worth meeting with at least two or three more girls if the magic didn’t happen with the first specialist.
Be sure to sign a contract
In it, write down all the important points, the preferred birth plan, conditions — including financial ones. Without clearly spelled out clauses in the contract — to what extent, when and how the service is provided and payment is made — there are almost always misunderstandings and, as a result, disappointment or worries.
When talking about a doula, many people think of childbirth. But the biggest benefit of doula services lies in postnatal care. If possible, consider such clauses in the contract.
Sometimes a postpartum doula is even a separate specialist. And it’s great support for the whole family. Such a doula can help with the baby while the mother drinks tea or takes a shower. Also in the services of a postpartum doula there may be cooking for the mother or for the whole family, various postpartum practices for the recovery of the mother.