Daily read: doula

janinegb

I was reading these post and I see some people use it buuuut it kinda seems like a scam to me 

rac2718

It depends on who your support person/people are during delivery and your provider. My mom was a CNM for over 30 years and she said there were many instances a doula was a huge help and support in the delivery room. Some doulas are also lactation consultants and can provide post partum care and support. 

00kim00

Research shows doulas really do make a positive difference. Specifically, "Overall, people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support." https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

That said, I won't have a doula, but that's only because I can't afford it. Now, if the above outcomes aren't particularly important to you (maybe you're someone who wants an epidural or C-section), it may be less important to you than someone attempting a natural birth. But it sounds like it can still be helpful with PPD.

janinegb

Now I’m just playing Devils advocate now, 

what if it is just a physiological thing, like these doulas just latch onto these women and make it seem like the only was the pregnancy will go well is if they are involved on every aspect 

rac2718

There are many providers who don't care much about a woman's birth plan and don't always provide all the information to make informed decisions. Also, once you're in the midst of laboring it's really hard to understand all of the info and make decisions. A doula's role, besides support, is to be an advocate for you in the midst of labor knowing what your birth wishes are. This is part of the reason rates of epidurals and c-sections are lower. But again, it also really depends on who you have delivering your baby, how many other people they have in labor, whether you have other risk factors, etc

00kim00

janinegb said:

Now I’m just playing Devils advocate now, 

what if it is just a physiological thing, like these doulas just latch onto these women and make it seem like the only was the pregnancy will go well is if they are involved on every aspect 

I'm not sure that makes sense, because they're comparing outcomes of women who didn't have a doula (and possibly didn't know about or want a doula) to those that did. There could be a placebo effect- outcomes are better not because of anything the doula did, but just the effect of having a dedicated support person other than spouse/partner. There could also be a selection bias- outcomes are better not because of what a doula did, but because there's something different about the group of women who chose doulas and can afford doulas. I haven't read the research in depth, so I don't know if or how many studies controlled for those factors.

If it's not something you want, then that's cool, just don't get one. If you want one, there's nothing negative that comes from it other than the cost, so go for it and it will probably be a good thing. When I first heard of them, I thought they were kinda crunchy, waste of money, and yeah, probably a scam. But now, many years later and after a lot more research, I've realized there's SO much to the birth to know, and I'm not going to be able to be an expert in it. I keep learning new bits of information- how pain management options impact baby's health, breastfeeding, and recovery; tearing vs episiotomy and how to prevent both; benefits of different birth positions for baby, recovery, etc.; safe and non-surgical options for a breech baby; and so much more! Having experienced, knowledgeable professionals available to inform and guide me in that moment when I won't have the time or capacity to research on my own would be great, rather than a knife-happy obgyn who's ready to do a C-section at a moments notice. I can come up with my birth plan, but who knows what will happen during the birth, and changes almost definitely need to happen, so I want to know what's the best decision to make to keep me and baby safe, make breastfeeding possible, and make recovery as easy as possible. Without a doula, and with an OBGYN, they won't necessarily balance those things I want, they'll ignore the last two if anything less than ideal happens. Someone who has the expert knowledge without the same agenda as an OBGYN (surgically trained doctors usually lean towards doing surgery) can help me make decisions to balance what I want. So my older, wiser self would prefer a doula. But, like I said, I'm not going to have one because the cost is prohibitive. I am switching from an OB-based hospital to a midwife-centered hospital, which is something of a midpoint and covered by insurance :-) So basically, if it interests you, research it more to decide if it's for you. If not, then try not to judge others because there are some really good, valid, evidence-based reasons to use a doula.

paperbirdlady

It's expensive but I'm thinking of hiring one (if I can pay with my HSA). I would love to have some support and guidance right now. FTM. My own mom has a lot on her plate right now (breast cancer) and my sister with kids is busy helping our mom.

I didn't think I would need a doula because my husband has always been so supportive. I thought he would read pregnancy books and help me but he chose now to cheat on me after being faithful for 13 years. He won't chose me over her or leave me--so even breaking up our marriage falls onto my to-do list (he just wants to be poly).

janinegb

My apologies I meant psychological not physiological