Podcast #18
What is a Doula?
Many people have heard the word doula and have no clue what it means or think that it is “like a midwife or something?” Not exactly. Doulas have been around forever but without the fancy name. They are the numerous women throughout history that come together when a woman was in labor and they were there to “show her the way.” It truly is a beautiful thing.
In no way does a doula take the place of Dad but rather helps him to be a bigger part of the birthing process. Dad doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines watching TV or checking his phone but he can more so be a part of helping to bring his baby into the world as well.
What Is A Doula?
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves. While they have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, a doula is not a medically trained professional. That is the job of the midwife or doctor. A doula helps the mother-to-be to achieve the birth she hopes for, no matter if it’s a birth with or without drugs, or a c-section. This makes a doula a valuable addition to the birth team
What Does A Doula Do?
A doula may provide some of the following services. Often doulas are also qualified in other therapies too, so it always helps to ask when you interview them!
- Birth education and preparation
- Birth planning (including creating a written birth plan/birth preferences document)
- De-briefing previous births (sometimes we forget)
- Massage, acupressure, and other comfort measures
- Suggest positions and changes to help ease pain and facilitate a smoother, more effective labor
- Provide reassurance and encouragement
- Talking through emotional blockages which may come up during pregnancy and in labor
- Keep your ‘environment’ how you want – essential oils, light/dim, music/quiet, etc
- Photography/video of the birth itself, as well as those precious first moments as a family
- So much more!
One of the biggest bonuses of hiring a doula is that fact that she is a professional birth support person. Doulas are trained in the art of birth support.
If you are looking to learn more about having a more natural birth, check out Homeopathy for Mommies podcast as well as her new Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond course: http://homeopathyformommies.com/birthcourse/
Remember to check out your local birthing community and interview a few doulas to make sure that the one that you choose is what you are looking for!
As always, be grateful & have faith!
God Bless!
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