dou·la (noun/?do?ol?/ doulas, plural): A person, usually a woman, who is professionally trained to assist a woman during childbirth and who may provide support to the family after the baby is born. (Google Dictionary)
Today, I took the first step in my journey towards becoming a DONA Certified Birth Doula. I signed up for a workshop!
I’m ecstatic!
In honor of this, I’ve done a little research and have decided to share some benefits of choosing to have a birth doula attend your birth:
- A laboring mother who has an experienced doula by her side, is less likely to need an epidural. (CNM Data Group, 1996. Midwifery management of pain in labor. J Nurs-Midw 1998; 43:77-8)
- Due to budgetary restrictions, hospitals are forced to cut down on nursing staff, which leaves laboring women with less support and increases the likelihood of cesarean. Doulas help to improve “clinical and service quality” by providing a safe way to reduce cesareans and other invasive birthing interventions. (Coming to Term: Innovations in Safely Reducing Cesarean Rates. Medical Leadership Council, Washington D.C. 1996)
- Though technology is important, medical professionals are often so focused on the newest technological developments, that they lose sight of “the natural, physiologic process”. This includes the psychological support that doulas provide. (Reducing the Cesarean Section Rates while Maintaining Maternal and Infant Outcomes. Bruce L. Flamm et al. Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Boston, 1997)
- In a hospital setting, there are procedures in place that the nursing staff tends to stick to, even when those procedures sometimes disregard a mother’s wishes. It is both necessary and understandable in a busy hospital, but the stress of communicating/advocating one’s wishes can affect the labor process. A doula can help advocate for the laboring woman’s wishes, so she is able to stay focused.
And those aren’t even all the benefits. Clearly, doulas provide a valuable service to both hospital staff and laboring women.
I’m so excited to begin this journey and learn more about birth. Once I’m certified and able to start, it will feel so good to know I’ve aided in a woman’s positive birth experience.
I just had to share my excitement. I hope you’re all having a great week. Did you use a birth doula or have you considered using one? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Yay! So excited for you!
Amber recently posted..Waste and Writing
Thank you! 🙂
Oh my gosh, what an exciting journey for you! I’m glad you are doing this, you will be great and I’m sure all the Mommies you get to help are going to be so appreciative.
Daneilia @ Anchors Away recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
Thank you! I hope so! At the very least, hopefully, I can learn enough to help moms through this blog if I don’t find clients right away.
That’s so exciting! I’m so glad that you’re doing it… I think my last post on “I’m a rebel” explains how I feel about it already 😉
It certainly did. You’re last comment made me cry. Thank you 🙂
that is so great. congratulations! i didn’t use a doula and was really lucky to have a nurse and doctor who I can’t say enough things about. but I know that not everyone lucks into the same thing so I think what you are doing is awesome.
plus, you’ll be able to share the happiest moment of the parent’s lives. that? is way cool.
Krista recently posted..Another day, another dollar
Thank you!
That’s awesome that you had that support. Unfortunately, I think you’re right.
That is exactly what will make it worth it. Sharing in that moment with parents!
Congrats again!! I didn’t have a doula (as you know 🙂 ) but I did have an awesome doctor and husband who advocated for me every step of the way – even telling the pushy nurses off. lol. Like Krista mentioned, not everyone is that blessed so it’s wonderful to have doulas available. You’re going to do great!
Diana @Hormonal Imbalances recently posted..A Perfect Fall Day.
Who needs a doula when you have Sam? 🙂 He’s awesome.
Thank you! <3