Such is far from the truth.
Every laboring woman deserves a Doula present. Every laboring woman, no matter what choices she made to birth her child, deserves the one on one care a Doula, or a professional childbirth support woman, can provide. Obstetricians do not offer this service. Nurses do not offer this service. Hospital based midwives do not, usually, offer this service. A Doula does.
DONA, a Doula certifying organization, uses the saying “Mothering the Mother” to cap phrase a Doula’s job. She cares for the emotional and physical needs of a woman in pregnancy and in birth, creating a relationship that is quite special. She provides information to the mother and her partner on various topics of pregnancy and birth, if the parents care to make informed choices for themselves. She is an extra pair of hands to massage the mother when the partner tires, she does not leave the mother’s side during her labor (except to eat during labors that may be long), she is educated and experienced in childbirth and its normalcy. Often, Doulas serve the partners as well a the laboring woman.
” I felt
empowered by her, as did my husband. She is so good at what she
does that there’s very little video or pictures of the baby [being
born] because my husband was less photographer and more birth
partner, this time around. Because of Tamrha’s support, I was able
to have the kind of birth I wanted.” ~Helen
Many studies show the benefits of hiring this special woman to your birth team. When Doulas are present, there are …
· 50% decrease in Cesarean births
·a 60% decrease in the use of epidurals
·oxytocic drug use decreases by 40%
·25% shorter labor time
·40% reduction of the use of forceps or vacuum
·better breastfeeding outcomes
·increase in mother/infant interaction
·decrease in postpartum depression and anxiety
· higher self esteem for the new mother
· greater satisfaction with the birth experience
Since ancient times, in just about every culture,
women have always supported women during childbirth. The word
‘doula’ itself comes from the Greek language, meaning ‘a woman who
serves.’ During the last century when most births moved out of the
home and into hospitals, it was this person, the Doula or labor
support that was left behind. Today, however, many women are
returning to the past and seeking out these specially trained women
to add to their birth support teams.
Tamrha Richardson is a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator in training through Childbirth International. A mother of two, she is passionate about pregnancy, childbirth, and women’s reproductive rights. Tamrha is the Local Representative for Better Birth New York, an online resource for NY women supplying information on birth options. As a co-leader of the Long Island Chapter of ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) she supports women seeking information on VBAC’s and Cesarean prevention. She is a member of The Long Island Doula Association and the Metropolitan Doula Group. Tamrha can be reached through her website www.tamrhasdoulasupport.com. Visit her blog at http://alongislanddoula.wordpress.com/
