World Doula Week
In honor of World Doula Week (March 22-28), we will be talking with our favorite Doula, Dawn, of Compassionate Care Doula.
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Why is it important to consider hiring a doula?
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain-relief medications administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience.
Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.2
“Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland secretes natural oxytocin into the bloodstream (causing uterine contractions) and to the brain (resulting in feelings of well-being and drowsiness, along with a higher pain threshold).”
***Americanpreganacy.org
Continuous Support During Labor
“Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, the continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor. Benefits found in randomized trials include shortened labor, decreased need for analgesia, fewer operative deliveries, and fewer reports of dissatisfaction with the experience of labor (1, 17). As summarized in a Cochrane evidence review, a woman who received continuous support was less likely to have a cesarean delivery (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–0.91) or a newborn with a low 5-minute Apgar score (fixed-effect, RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50–0.95) (1). Continuous support for a laboring woman that is provided by a nonmedical person also has a modest positive effect on shortening the duration of labor (mean difference –0.58 hours; 95% CI, –0.85 to –0.31) and improving the rate of spontaneous vaginal birth (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04–1.12) (1).”
**AmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynocologist
With a doula’s continual support you can lower your chances of an unexpected cesarean birth. Your doula is there for you and only you during your entire process. If hired early in your pregnancy she can also provide you with evidence-based information to answer your questions. At times parents feel rushed or too embarrassed to ask their providers questions at their appointments. A doula can get you information that is needed. A doula can help you develop your birth plan/wish. It’s simply an easy way to communicate what you would like to happen for your birth experience. A doula provides comfort measures to help you to cope with labor pains. If you are having a hospital birth, they can meet you at home to help you before you go. Doulas support all of your choices. We support your choice to birth at home, hospital, or birth center. We support your choice to choose pain management, or your choice to have cesarean if that is what you want to do. We help you breastfeed your new baby. We help to create and keep a quiet calm atmosphere for your labor and delivery. We help you prepare for your baby. We help you remember that you can do great things!
Pain relief support is an important aspect of our service. However, emotional support is just as or more important. Sometimes you need that warm voice or tight hug to let you know that things are going just the way that they are supposed to go.
There are moments where sometimes decisions have to be made. Doulas can help you navigate through those moments.
A doulas help can be invaluable. You have a trained birth professional by your side the entire time whose only intention is to make sure that you are well cared for and taken care of. If you have taken a childbirth education class you will be able to discuss your expectations and work through them. Doulas help your partner and family stay involved by sharing their experience and time-proven techniques to help the birthing person cope with the labor and birth. Doulas provide a shoulder to lean on when you need that kind of support for both the birthing mom and partner.
For more information on Dawn and her services, please contact her on her website or follow her on Facebook.
Book us together as part of your birth team, receive a discount on both our services!
