What's the job of a birth doula?
Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Seems simple when said like that but a doulas job is so much more than that!
When I first heard of hiring a doula it was my midwife recommending it. She made it very clear that having a doula for a home or birth center birth would be really beneficial. I wasnt sure, it sounded like a good idea but I also didnt know how I felt about bringing more people into my birth space. I ended up interviewing with a few doulas and I found one that immediately made me feel safe and heard. She was exactly who I needed throughout my pregnancy and was amazing throughout my birth.
But every doula works a little differently...
You may have heard that some doulas dont show up until youre at a certain cm dilated or they might not support you until you get checked into the hospital. This is not okay!
The whole point of hiring a doula is to have continuous in-person support from the moment you NEED it. Often that means meeting you in your home and helping you to labor as long as possible at home before moving to your birth location (or staying with you at home and giving your midwife a call that baby is on the way!).
I dont require you to be at a certain point in labor to call me. All I need to hear is that you think labor has started and that you want support!
Every birth is different! Just as every person is different! Birth is a deeply personal experience! For so many it is also a deeply spiritual experience as well!
In order for you to have the best birth experience you can it is very important that you feel safe, supported and surrounded by love. You may not be able to control what your body is doing as labor happens but you can control who is there to support you. Having a care team that understands and supports your birth preferences is what will keep you feeling safe during labor.
Whether you feel safest at home or in a hospital a doula should support you wherever you choose to have your baby!
The best thing a doula can do for their client is to put aside their own personal beliefs about what a "good" birth looks like. My personal preferences for birth should not effect how I support my clients! I should be able to support your wants and needs no matter where and how you choose to have your baby.
If your goal is to have your baby at home with a midwife, thats amazing! If your goal is to get to the hospital for an epidural as soon as you're able, thats perfect! If you are trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and you want to avoid interventions unless absolutely necessary, thats great! If youre choosing to do a repeat cesarean because thats what feels best for you, thats good too!
All birth is good as long as its what you are deciding for yourself!
From the beginning women have been supporting women through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Whether you see birth as a sacred act or a right of passage or even if you think of birth as something that "just happens", having another woman there to hold you through the process can be the difference between a difficult birth being scary and a difficult birth being empowering!
A baby is born but so is a mother!
Birth is an event of change. The whole pregnancy you are waiting to meet your baby but you are going to meet a new version of yourself as well! There is truly nothing that can prepare you for that better than having a doula there to support and guide you through every step, every contraction, every push. I believe that most women simply need someone there to hold space for the biggest moment of her life. I am there to to be that calm confident energy, to advocate and reassure and encourage you to let out all the feelings (get angry if you need to) as you bring baby earthside.
A doula cannot guarantee the outcome of a birth but I can help to make sure you feel empowered as you meet yourself again when baby comes earthside!
If you're considering hiring a doula for your birth and you connect with how I view birth support then I would love the opportunity to support you!
For more info and to set up a free consult click the button below!
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