If you are having a baby you are soon to experience one of the most incredible experiences of your life – giving birth and bringing a new person into your family. You may have ideas, dreams, or even fears of what this experience will be like. You may be hoping for a calm, quiet birth with the support of your partner, without too much interference. On the other hand you may be concerned about pain, loss of control, problems for the baby, or an unexpected outcome, such as a cesarean birth.

As you anticipate the day of your birth, you prepare yourself emotionally and physically for the challenges that lie ahead. You may be taking childbirth education classes to help you feel more prepared. You may be reading everything you can about labor and birth. One other consideration may be to hire a doula to attend your birth.

The word "doula" is a Greek word referring to a trained and experienced woman who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman before, during and immediately following childbirth. Studies of the effects of doula support done by Klaus and Kennell have been analyzed and published. The results are astonishing. The presence of a doula was shown to reduce the overall cesarean rate by 50 percent, length of labor by 25 percent, oxytocin (Pitocin) use by 40 percent, pain medication by 30 percent, the need for forceps by 40 percent, and requests for epidurals by 60 percent.

As an expectant mother you may be sure you can count on the support of your partner, and I can imagine the fathers are thinking,What about me? I am planning to support my wife. I attended the classes and know what I need to do to help her. Fathers are an essential component of the labor support team. During the birth the role of the father will be to give emotional support to the mother while the doula is there to support you both through the labor. The doula is not emotionally connected, and comes with her experience and knowledge of events that she knows are a normal part of labor. As my doula explained to my husband prior to my second son’s birth, I will be there to help you to help her, not to take your place.

The doula’s role as advocate and communicator is also important. The doula will advocate for the laboring mother. She will be able to remind the medical staff of the mother’s wishes at a time when the mother may be unable to advocate for herself. At times there may be a flurry of medical professionals and medical terminology and here again the doula is there to interpret. Sometimes it is just nice to have someone say, You are ok, the baby is ok, everything is going to be fine *Sigh* the mother and father relax.

Resources: Book: Mothering the Mother, How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth Marshall H. Klaus, MD; John H. Kennell, MD; and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed, CSW

Questions to consider when interviewing a doula: (from Mothering the Mother)

• What training and experience with birth does the doula have?

• What is her philosophy about supporting mothers and fathers during labor?

• Is she willing to meet with the mother and father, preferably in their home, well before labor to find out their preferences and hopes, and help them plan for the birth?

• Is she available to provide support and reassurance close to the time of birth and during early labor by close phone contact and later, her presence?

• What hospitals does she work at in the parent’s community?

• Does she have a backup in case she is ill?

• What are her fees?

• At what point in labor does she like to be called?

• What does she consider the most important elements of care when working as a doula?

Resources for finding a doula:
Doulas of North America (DONA)
(206) 324-5540
www.dona.com

International Childbirth Education Association
Box 20048
Minneapolis, MN 55420
www.icea.org

For all childbirth information
www.childbirth.org

About the Author: Lisa Marie LaShell received RD (Registered Dietitian) credential in 1992. Worked in a variety of clinical settings including Diabetes Care, Cardiac Care, and Intensive Care (working with tube feedings).

After the birth of her first son in 1995 she became a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. Since then she has been teaching Lamaze Childbirth Classes and Lamaze Refresher Classes, Newborn and Infant Care Classes, Early Pregnancy Classes, and Mother and Baby Nutrition Classes. Currently she offers Childbirth Classes in her home. She has recently applied to "BirthWorks" to pursue certification with that organization.

Lisa can be contacted at: lisa @birthbeautiful.com
www.birthbeautiful.com

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