A mother may come to her doctor with a strong desire to follow a natural birth plan while pregnant and to make use of as few unnecessary interventions as possible. However, without a trained midwife at her side (without a doula), such situations often don’t end well for the mother.
As a hospital doula, I see and hear all of those scenarios of their various forms time and time again. Doulas are prepared and expert to handle many situations that the mother may not expect.
A doula plays a unique and special role during childbirth. While the midwife’s or doctor’s job is to be there for the birth, the doula’s job is to concentrate on you (throughout the birth process). The title of doula might be translated as “mother’s servant.” How beautiful is this?
The word “doula” refers to “a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuity physical, emotional and informational support mother before, during and after childbirth. (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)The key word here is SUPPORT. Continuous physical, emotional and informational support.
Let’s return and add doula roles specifically to those three scenarios:
Scenario 1: Alone at night
The doula stays up all night, never leaving the pregnant mother’s side, waiting for her hands and feet. A shower might be prepared for her to alleviate some discomfort. She can massage sore spots, ensuring mom seems like someone understands what she’s going through and that if she needs anything, someone can be awake, alert, and ready. A doula provides hands-on physical services that, while easy, can dramatically change the birth process. These include the whole lot from suggesting a change of position, giving mom sips of water and giving her hot or cold rags.
Doulas often use the ability of touch and massage to scale back stress and anxiety during childbirth. Massage has been proven to assist stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland releases natural oxytocin into the bloodstream, causing the uterus to contract, and into the brain, which causes feelings of well-being, drowsiness, and a higher pain threshold. Because synthetic intravenous oxytocin called Pitocin cannot enter each the bloodstream and the brain, it increases contractions without the positive psychological advantages of natural oxytocin.
Scenario 2: Giving up
Emotional
A doula recognizes this almost verbatim phrase from a mother while pregnant that is often heard through the transition phase; “I just can’t do this anymore.” The hospital staff knows that nothing is actually mistaken, which is why the doula emphasizes that this is her last and final stage. While everyone else is feeding off “out of control” energy and not knowing what to do or tips on how to help, a doula can instruct the mom’s partner on exactly what to do at that moment. Her words of comfort and verbal guidance to Mom on this moment are exactly what Mom needs to listen to to guide her through this moment. By simply informing her, “You’re almost done!” restores strength to her body and strength to her bones.
Emotional resources include being a source incentive and reassurance throughout labor and serves as a constant physical presence.
Scenario 3: Water supply interruptions
Informational
The doula responds with all of the possible suggestions you’ll be able to get childbirth proceeds naturally. Practical advice and suggestions are provided on walking and nipple stimulation. Iced tea with red raspberry leaves You can suggest setting the mood within the room with music and candles to make sure maximum rest.
The doula explains how infection occurs and what options she currently has. It doesn’t make decisions for folks, but allows them to make their very own decision based on informed consent. They inform parents about how Pitocin works and what advantages it provides risk using it.
Most doula-client relationships begin several months before the infant is due. During this time, relationships develop through which the mother can freely ask questions, discuss her concerns and create a birth plan. Because caregivers might not be with you in any respect times (perhaps at home before going to the birthing center or, on rare occasions, during transportation), a doula helps parents process the data they should make informed decisions.
Although doulas don’t provide any style of medical care, they’re knowledgeable about many medical elements of childbirth. With this information, they may also help their clients higher understand the procedures and possible complications of pregnancy or childbirth.
