A doula is an extra birth partner, usually someone you hire to help you during labor and delivery. This person is trained in assisting during childbirth, but doesn’t provide medical care or supervision like a midwife or obstetrician. While there’s a million reasons I could explain as to why I loved having my doula, I’ve narrowed it down to five big ones. If you’re interested in hearing the details of my birth story, check out my post about it.
A doula is always focused on you!
The number one reason I opted for a doula for my first pregnancy was due to my unavailable partner- moreso his unpredictable priorities. The best part for me was knowing my doula would be there- and focussed on me. There’s a lot to be said for the comfort of having something with you when you’re in pain. I’m sure for a lot of moms this isn’t a concern, but for me there was no one else who fully supported my birth plan, which included my intention of having an un-medicated delivery. A doula can be the best cheerleader in support of your strength, and your birth plan. They support you, no matter what that entails!
Counter Pressure
The next amazing thing I’ll quickly mention is something I didn’t even know about until I met my doula. It’s called counter pressure. Basically, it is being squeezed in the hips when contractions come on. It relieves the pressure the contraction puts on your pelvis, thus minimizing and sometimes eliminating the associated pain. This stuff is the SHTUFF! If you take nothing else away from reading this post: find out more about counter pressure if you’re ever planning on birthing a child! Some people use what’s called a rebozo blanket, but personally I preferred the hands-on approach.
Birth Plan
One of the basic and informative parts of meetings with a doula is putting a birth plan on paper. You can look online for a blank form for a birth plan, but talking in person with someone with a lot of live birth experience is way different, and it helps a lot. In my experience, the communicating my doula did with the medical staff was invaluable. She made her own suggestions to nurses, although she’s not providing any medical care, she cared, and it showed.
Props & Essential Oils
Something else I learned is the many abstract uses for essential oils– specific to child birth! For one, I needed some help keeping my contractions productive and my labor moving along: she used a specific oil to help. She also used them to help us rest when we were waiting for the time to pass. Along the way, she suggested honey for some help with my energy crisis, and constantly suggested props and other aids to help with pain. She came with an oil diffuser, exercise balls, and other contraptions if I needed them.
Keep calm & birth on!
She always kept calm and didn’t take offense when my tone didn’t match her’s. She made suggestions to my spouse on what he shoud do, how he should touch me, and when he needed to get off his phone. I can’t say enough, how great it was to have someone who was experienced and patient focused on helping me achieve my goals for my first childbirth.
The Best Parts of Having a Doula:
- Always having someone there who is focused on you
- Counter pressure
- Birth plan & Help with other staff
- Essential Oils and other props
- Calm reminders and suggestions