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What is the point of a doula?

SkiGirl1080sSkiGirl1080s
in 2nd Trimester

Hiring a doula seems to be a trend in our area.  What is the point of a doula?  Someone tried explaining to me that they create a birth plan for you.  What exactly is a birth plan?  I was planning on showing up to hospital and figuring it out as we go.  If women have done it for centuries without doulas and birth plans, why can't I?

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Re: What is the point of a doula?

  • Nicole731Nicole731 member

    What is a doula? image

    The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

    Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

    A Birth Doula

    • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
    • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
    • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
    • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
    • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
    • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
    • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
    • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
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  • Dani11Dani11 member
    I think they are mainly there for mental/spiritual support. Some women feel that with the chaos of everything, that a Doula will help them remain calm and focused. I keep telling my sister that she is my Doula. She is the only one that will be in the DR with DH and I, and she is a nurse and just had her daughter 6months ago. I would have my Mom in there...but then MIL might feel bad, and I love her, but wouldn't be able to handle her in the DR.
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  • NotEveNotEve

    I am hiring a doula because I want to have a natural birth.  She will be there to provide expert advice on pain management techniques, different laboring positions and extra support for my DH.

    Plus, she will be my advocate when it comes to making sure my birth plan is followed as closely as possible.  I don't want any cervix riperners, I don't want to be induced, I don't want any pain meds and I don't want an episiotomy (this is all in my birth plan).  My DH and I are not medical experts - the doula can help translate what the OB is saying.

     

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  • Nicole731Nicole731 member
    Oh and FWIW I didn't use a doula or have a birth plan and I had a very easy labor.
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  • userdeleteduserdeleted member

    Others have filled you in on what a doula is, I just wanted to point out that having a doula is probably more in line with how women have historically given birth than not having one.

    Also, birth plans have not been necessary for anyone until fairly recently because people simply didn't have all the options we have today. No technology, no pain medications, no hospitals - there really was nothing to write down. 

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  • myonetruelovemyonetruelove member
    Everytime I see this d a mn word I think of Adam Sandler from water boy. Please help me! LOL
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  • ToledoDeuxToledoDeux member
    imageSkiGirl1080s:

    If women have done it for centuries without doulas and birth plans, why can't I?

    Women actually did it for centuries WITH doulas (and midwives) - only they were just called family then.  Doulas only fell out of favor after organized medicine took over the entire process and shut out support systems for the mother.

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  • avblissavbliss member
    They are especially good for natural births because they can help take the stress off you and DH and help you focus on labor and not the chaos around you. I can't imagine going into labor without a birth plan! If you don't have any information before hand on what you want, or don't want, there's no way you can make informed decisions while in labor, so you'll most likely be railroaded by hospital staff and what's easier for them, and not for you and baby. I'd look into it. The Bump has a great Birth Plan outline with check off boxes that really got DH and I thinking and looking into things we didn't even know existed and might happen.
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  • azarembkaazarembka
    imageSkiGirl1080s:

    Hiring a doula seems to be a trend in our area.  What is the point of a doula?  Someone tried explaining to me that they create a birth plan for you.  What exactly is a birth plan?  I was planning on showing up to hospital and figuring it out as we go.  If women have done it for centuries without doulas and birth plans, why can't I?

     

    I have a friend who is hiring one as well.  I'm with though in just showing up and going with the flow, my only birth plan is to make sure it's just DH and I in the DR and I plan on going as far as I can without pain meds and if I ask for them and it's too late then I guess I better suck it up and make the best of it.

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