Celebrate and Share World Doula Week 2014!

March 22-28 is World Doula Week! Did you know that just recently, ACOG and SMFM (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists & the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine) named doula support as one of the most important and most underutilized tools in preventing cesareans in first-time mothers? This is just one of the amazing, research-based benefits of doula support.

So if you are a doula, used and loved a doula, or just want to shout the doula love from the rooftops, feel free to comment here and share these graphics on social media! We here at The Childbirth Collective are so proud to do what we do. Happy World Doula Week!

3rd Time’s a Charm: The HBAC Waterbirth of Bryce

by Robyn Hustrulid

Before starting this birth story, I feel the need to mention my 1^st and 2^nd births.  They are the beginning of my journey and very much effected how I gave birth to my 3^rd child.  My first came a couple weeks early with my water breaking in the middle of the night.  I went to the hospital before contractions started and after walking around a bit, they started me on Pitocin.  It took the whole day for contractions to get strong, and after 2 hours of strong contractions, an epidural and a cervical check resulting in little progress, the OB recommended a cesarean.  Besides asking if we could wait, I didn’t know enough to fight this recommendation, so my first baby came to me via an unplanned, and what I have come to realize, an unnecessary cesarean.  The reasoning was “failure to progress,” or maybe we could call it “failure to wait.”

 

The cesarean wasn’t easy for me to accept.  I was happy I had a healthy baby, but not happy with how things went.  Breastfeeding started off rocky and recovering from major abdominal surgery was not what I had planned for.  I knew I wanted something different for my second birth.  I started asking about VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) at my 6-week postpartum visit.  And then two and a half years later when I got pregnant, I read more books, watched the essential movies, attended some parent topic nights, became a regular at Blooma, switched to a midwife, and hired a doula.  I felt prepared and knew that I could accomplish a safe and rewarding VBAC.  My labor started at 41 weeks, again with my water breaking in the middle of the night.  I stayed home and waited for contractions to get intense, and then went to the hospital.  There were a few hiccups of back labor, stalled progress and an epidural, but eventually I welcomed my 2^nd baby into the world via a VBAC!

After that experience, I fell in love with the role of the doula, because I knew my first birth would have been different if a doula had been with me.  I decided becoming a doula was the right path for me and dove in headfirst.  After 2.5 years of witnessing strong mamas welcome their babies into the world, I decided it was time for me to do it again.  But again, from all that I had learned and witnessed, I knew this time would be different.  I decided to have a homebirth.  I hired 2 midwives and 2 doulas.  I focused on eating healthy, working out and doing yoga.  I also went to the chiropractor regularly to make sure my pelvis was balanced and my body was in alignment.  After hearing amazing reviews, I decided to give Hypnobabies a try as well.  I was very committed to doing all of the homework and listening to the tracks daily.  I was a believer but wasn’t sure if it would work for me until my birthing time came.

On Mother’s Day 2013, my guess date, I decided I wanted to have a low-key day and spend some time with my own mom.  I took a nap and listened to the “Come Out Baby” track from Hypnobabies.  Then I went for a walk in the afternoon with my mom and a movie after.  I had been having Braxton hicks daily for weeks, but started to notice some waves (Hypnobabies term) coming more regularly during the movie.  Later I realized this was my early birthing time, but during I dismissed them because they didn’t seem to be getting stronger.  These waves continued on through the night as I ate dinner with my kids, did the dishes (while listening to Birthing Day Affirmations) and then put the kids to bed.  I went to bed thinking nothing was happening, but decided to listen to my “Deepening” track.  I wasn’t able to fall asleep because the waves were getting a bit stronger.  Around 11:30, I felt some fluid leak a couple times and thought I was peeing, so I decided I should go to the bathroom.  When I stood up, I felt a gush between my legs and knew exactly what was happening.  I sat on the toilet and felt a bit stunned, excited, anxious, and in disbelief.  I called to my husband that “my water broke.”  It took him a bit to wake up, but then he got up, and we started getting things together.

I made my phone calls; told my mom to come over to sleep, and I let the midwives and doulas know that it was happening, but I didn’t need them yet.  I could feel the waves but they weren’t very strong, so we decided to get everything ready and then go back to bed.  David set up the birth tub and got me some water.  I got the camera, some snacks, the Hypnobabies scripts and my iPod out.  My mom got to our house around 12:30.  I told her “this one is sure different.”  I had a few waves in the kitchen and leaned over the counter while breathing through them.  They still felt somewhat mild to me or just like pressure.  I was sure there was a lot of time left.

 

Around 1am, after we felt like things were gathered and set up, I asked David to do the rebozo for a bit.  I was feeling some of the waves in my back so we wanted to encourage baby to get in a good position.  After a couple waves, I got up and sat on the ball and David turned on the “Fear Clearing” track.  The waves started to get a little more intense, so I decided to call my midwife around 1:30am.  She asked how close they were, and we had no idea.  So she asked that we time a few and call her back.  After timing them and seeing that they were 3 minutes apart, I realized that things were moving faster than I thought, but I still felt like it was early in my birthing time.  My midwife decided they should come, so I also called my doulas to come.  My midwife also suggested we do an initial fill of the birth tub, because it would probably take a couple, and we would need time for the water heater to heat more water.

With every wave, I was leaking a lot of fluid, so I decided to get in the shower.  I let the hot water run on my breasts in between the waves and drew peace signs and hearts on the steamed up shower door.  During the waves, I leaned over and let the hot water run on my back.  My mom got me my water bottle, and I put it in the shower with me.  I could hear some of the Hypnobabies in the background, and I was saying, “Open, Open, Open.”  After the waves I would burp, and I smiled as I remembered my midwife telling me that was a sign of active labor.  I loved the shower and the routine/rhythm I had created.  But sadly, because we were also filling the tub, the hot water ran out.  I got out and sat on the toilet around 2:25am. My mom started to boil some water just in case.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but my mom and David started to get a little anxious for the midwives to get there.  My mom asked David if he could deliver the baby if need be.  He just grinned and put his hands out like he was catching a baby.

One of my doulas arrived around 2:30.  She took note that waves were about 2 minutes apart, and I was listening to Birthing Affirmations.  I remember using my peace cue during waves, and feeling like it was really helping.  My doula said relax, and I could feel my shoulders melt and my body soften.  Around 2:45 one of my midwives arrived, so my mom was able to relax.  My doula suggested I eat something, so David went and got me some yogurt and an Emergen-C drink.  The midwife in training arrived shortly after, and then my other doula.  One of my doulas came and put her hands on my shoulders and forehead and told me to relax.

My midwife tried to hear the baby with a fetoscope but wasn’t able to get a good angle while I was on the toilet.  My other midwife arrived and also tried to listen to baby while I was on the toilet, but it wasn’t working, so they asked me to stand up.  I stood up and leaned over my sink.  My doula did some double hip squeezes and massaged my back, which felt wonderful.  My midwife was still unable to find the baby with the fetoscope, so she asked if I wanted to get in the bed or use the Doppler.  I couldn’t imagine lying down, so I said Doppler.  She found my baby’s heartbeat, and it was perfect.  I remember hearing on the Hypnobabies track, “say your baby’s name.”  And I said, “I don’t know your name.”

 

At 3:24 I asked if I could get in the tub.  It wasn’t ready yet, so one of my doulas went downstairs and helped my mom bring the boiling water up to fill the tub.  David and my other doula were checking to see if the water was warm enough to start filling it with the hose.  Around 3:30, I started to feel like I needed to poop; my doula mind knew what that meant, but I wasn’t ready to admit it out loud yet.  As the pressure built, I asked again if I could get in the tub, but it still wasn’t ready.  One of my doulas suggested I sit on the toilet while I waited.  When my first wave came while on the toilet, I felt my whole body start to push and I couldn’t resist it.  I had about two waves like that, and heard my midwife say, “she is going to have that baby on the toilet.”  I said, “I NEED to get in the tub.”

Around 3:40 I got in the tub, and my mom was still dumping hot water in it.  When the first wave started to build, I got into a froggy squat position.  It felt like the rise of a roller coaster, excitement, nervous, anxious and joy in the anticipation.  I knew once I got to the top there wasn’t anything I could do.  This baby was coming down, and I was just along for the ride.  I felt my whole body start to involuntarily push.  It was such an unusual feeling, and I knew I had no control and needed to surrender.  The “Pushing” track was on, and I remember sending peace down and out in front of my baby’s head.  After the wave, I leaned over the side of the tub, rested my head on the edge and asked for cold washcloths.  David held one on my forehead and someone put one on my neck.  While pushing I could feel the baby’s head moving down and then rocking back up in between waves.  My midwives told me I could reach down and feel the head during the next wave, and it was then that I finally believed I would meet my baby soon.

Just before 4am, one of my doulas asked if I was ready for the kids to come in.  I said I didn’t know and asked if they thought the kids could handle it.  Everyone said yes, so I said ok.  My mom woke up Kyle and Jolie and they came around the corner sleepy eyed and smiling.  They got pillows and blankets and lied in the hallway.  They would sit up and watch as they heard me making grunting and pushing sounds.  Kyle asked my mom, “What’s all the drama?”  Apparently I was making more noise than the women in the movies I had showed them.  In between waves, I asked Kyle if he was ok and he said yes and didn’t look the slightest bit scared.

My midwife suggested I tilt my pelvis during the next wave so the baby could get past my pubic bone.  What a difference that made, I could feel the baby move down even further and stay down.  During the next wave I sat back and thought in my head I’m going to keep pushing even if I feel burning.  I reached down to feel the head coming out, and then the wave stopped.  I asked, “is this ok,” even though I knew it was.  My midwife assured me it was just fine and the baby’s color looked great.  During the next wave, I could feel the shoulder come out and then the rest of the body slide out.  I brought my baby up on my chest and felt the most incredible rush of emotions.  “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, this was awesome!  Everybody should do it!”  And then I heard my son say, “it’s a boy!”  My sweet little man, Bryce David Hustrulid, came into this world in such a beautiful way at 4:04am and changed our lives forever!

Bryce David Hustrulid born May 13, 2013 at 4:04am

8lbs 14oz, 21 inches

The Lowdown on Out-of-Hospital (OOH) Birth

by Kate Saumweber Hogan, CPM, LM

A homebirth mama gets support from her midwife.

What is OOH Birth?

Out-of-hospital (OOH) birth refers to births occurring outside of a hospital, such as at a home or a free-standing birth center that is not connected to a hospital.

Planned OOH births can be in a house, townhouse, apartment, trailer, hotel, friend’s house, birth center, or even a back yard! Most homebirth midwives are pretty flexible with space needs, and can make almost any “home” work. Ideally, there should be running water, electricity, and a phone (or cell phone service), but even those can be negotiated!

Weighing the baby at a homebirth

What do all of those letters mean after midwives names?

There are two general kinds of midwives in our country. There are nurse midwives who are primarily trained in a hospital setting and most often attend births in the hospital; they are called Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Some CNMs gain additional experience to offer OOH care as well.

The second type are direct entry midwives; these midwives are primarily trained in the home birth or OOH setting and provide care in this setting. Some direct entry midwives earn the national credential of Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). In Minnesota, CPMs also have the option of becoming licensed by the state, which also gives them the title of Licensed Midwife (LM). It is a good idea to ask your midwife what her credentials are, especially in Minnesota where there are so many possible combinations!

A homebirth midwife helps a mama welcome her baby earthside.

It is safe to birth at home or at a birth center outside of a hospital?

Midwives are experts in normal. So for normal, low-risk, healthy moms and babies, YES, research shows that with a trained care provider, it is as safe or safer to be OOH than being in a hospital setting. However, OOH birth isn’t for everyone. Your midwife will help determine if you are a good candidate for OOH birth, and will continue to monitor you and your baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery to ensure that it is still safe to be at home.

If you would like to read the research available regarding home birth, a thorough review is available through Midwives Alliance of North America.

The question is often, “is homebirth safe?” but rarely, “is hospital birth safe?” This article looks at the other side of the coin.

What equipment do OOH midwives bring?

Each midwife will have a little variation in her birth bags, but in general, most midwives are certified in neonatal resuscitation and CPR, and will have equipment pertaining to those certifications. She will have medical supplies such as oxygen, suction for baby, medications for hemorrhage, a fetoscope and doppler to monitor baby’s heartbeat, a baby scale, and equipment to check mom’s vitals (blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, thermometer, a watch).

Some midwives carry IV equipment, suture and lidocaine for perineal tears, a pulse oximeter, a variety of herbal and homeopath remedies, and a birth stool. Some midwives also rent birth tubs and have additional equipment relating to the tub. Be sure to ask your midwife what you can expect her to bring to your birth.

Most midwives have families purchase a birth kit, which will have all of the disposable things that are needed for the birth, such as underpads, gloves, gauze, and a peri bottle. Families will also be asked to gather a list of supplies to use at the birth, such as towels, baby blankets, and extra pillows.

A new family snuggles in their own bed just after birth

Is homebirth messy?

This question comes up a lot! Surprisingly, birth is not at all like it is portrayed in the media and it really isn’t very messy. Your midwife uses supplies from your birth kit to help protect your bed and floor. She will start the laundry and clean up any sign of your birth before she leaves your home so your visitors won’t even know where the birth happened! There isn’t even very much trash, often barely enough to fill a kitchen sized garbage bag. You may have a second bag of trash if you are using a birth tub with a large plastic liner.

A mama meeting her baby in her own home.

What about labs, ultrasound, and newborn care options? 

When you interview potential midwives, it is good to ask if they offer routine labs, ultrasounds, and newborn care options (vitamin K, erythromycin, newborn metabolic screening, hearing screening, CCHD screening). Some midwives offer them as part of routine care, and others would refer you to your primary clinic for these services. Informed consent and shared decision making is at the heart of midwifery care. Prenatal visits will be an opportunity to discuss the pros, cons, and alternatives, and make a decision together about what is the best choice for you and your family. If you’d like to decline testing or newborn options, you can! It is your choice and it shouldn’t be a fight! But it can be nice to know what options will be available to you, since there may be some that you want for yourself or your baby.

If the midwife you choose doesn’t offer the newborn screening options (metabolic screening, hearing screening, and CCHD) most midwives who offer these options are willing to see babies outside of their practice for these screenings. You can find providers who offer these services here: http://minnesotamidwives.org/MCCPM/Newborn_Hearing_Screening.html

Does insurance cover it? 

Sometimes! There isn’t an easy yes or no answer, since it is really plan dependent. Most OOH midwives are out-of-network and will be covered based on your out-of-network benefit levels. Many of the birth centers are in-network and are covered at that level. Some midwives bill insurance, and others don’t. Midwives who offer insurance billing usually can do a benefits check to give you a better idea of what you can expect to be covered. If you have an HSA or flex spending plan, those funds can go towards paying for your midwifery care. The vast majority of the time, even paying 100% out-of-pocket for your home birth is less expensive than the out-of-pocket costs for a hospital birth after insurance processes the claim. The Childbirth Connection is a good resource for comparing costs by birth place from a national level.

 

Brand-new homebirth family.

Can I have a doula and a midwife?

Yes! Many out-of-hospital midwives encourage each woman to consider having a doula at her birth. Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth. Many midwives offer this kind of physical and emotional support as well. However, unlike midwives, doulas don’t provide any medical care. Doulas are great at offering comfort measures and supporting both the laboring woman and her partner from early labor until after baby is born. Be sure to check out the Childbirth Collective for free parent topic nights and ample opportunities to meet with and interview doulas.

How do I find a midwife who works in a home birth or birth center setting?

Check out the midwife listings on the Childbirth Collective, view members of the Minnesota Council of Certified Professional Midwives, and check out this comprehensive list of midwives from Minnesota Families for Midwifery. Most practices offer a free consultation to see if the midwife and family are a good fit, that is a great opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have about out-of-hospital midwifery and birth!

Kate Saumweber Hogan is a certified professional midwife and licensed midwife, serving Minnesota and Wisconsin. She is the owner of Twin Cities Midwifery where she provides prenatal, home birth, newborn, and postpartum care. She sees families at clinic spaces in Minneapolis and White Bear Lake, and lives in south Minneapolis with her husband and nursing daughter, born at home in the water in December 2012.

Gail Tully: The Birth of an Idea

by Gail Tully

Twenty years ago an idea was spoken and The Childbirth Collective was formed. Twenty years ago, our dynamic efforts were much the same as today. Beginning with mothers who attended other mother’s births, we invited in a variety of professionals who worked with pregnant and birthing women. Reflecting this inclusion, we chose the egalitarian identity as a collective.

Then The Childbirth Assistants Collective, now The Childbirth Collective, ever upheld the same, current goal of social support, information and continuous care during, and around, the time of childbirth. We also gathered for our own needs for confidential support and professional growth. Members asked for time to process births confidentially and to plan how to promote the role of continuous support from birthing women to nurses and doctors in the hospital. I remember the courage of the two women to first approach the physicians of St. Mary’s Hospital (Now Fairview University Medical Center).  At the same time, the spontaneous metamorphic emergence of the doula role spontaneously arose in Seattle and New Jersey with groups of women including birth leaders, Penny Simkin and Deborah Pascali-Bonaro. The need for peer support gave birth to the movement.

One evening, two nurse-midwives from Regions attended our meeting in the basement of Hamlin Midtown Library on Minnehaha Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota.  They brought a copy of The Doula Book by Marshall and Phyllis Klaus and John Kennell. Our doula revolution was about to occur. In 1995, The Star and Tribune ran a huge spread on doula care, listing my phone number. One of the 200 phone calls was by Marla Lukes, a mother of six who came on the board and together we moved my monthly parent meeting to weekly Parent Topics. She welcomed every doula with the expectation they’d join and offer their talents. We began to grow.

By 1996, The Collective was invited to provide doula care and supervision for a small pilot project run by Dorothy Walden Woodworth, RNC, to reduce the cesarean rate. Our first meeting was held around my picnic table in the long grass. Many of the doulas that participated are still active birth workers today. The next year, we were approached for a solution for HCMC doula services after the lone doula serving that hospital retired. While I may have initially supervised these doula efforts, the body of Collective doulas gave the ideas and passion to bring about the 3.94% cesarean rate for Allina’s pilot project and supported HCMC lowering their already low rate. As The Collective grew, more and more exemplar women joined.

We attended one another’s births, miscarriages and midnight birth crises. We ate, laughed and cried together. We picnicked, partied, and hot tubbed together.  Through it all we held the hope of supportive, peer-based care for every pregnant woman who wanted it. After 2000, growth became exponential, including Emme Corbeil, Susan Lane, Marion Sealey-Kreisman and more. Its an honor to be recognized as a founder, the original visionary of the Childbirth Collective, yet, all the growth to third party reimbursement, pregnant women’s right to a doula, expanded parent topic nights, a documentary film, an internet social media website, and the list goes on, comes from the women of The Collective. So uniquely, Childbirth Collective members support one another without competition to best take the message forward.

The current Childbirth Collective maintains much the same goals, developing leadership skills among the doulas and carrying our message and our mentorship to expand doula services. One-on-one and as a group force, The Childbirth Collective is one of the most effective doula groups in the world.

Gail Tully is an internationally-known midwife and expert on optimal fetal positioning. Some of you may know her as “The Spinning Babies Lady”. Read more on Gail’s work here. 

The Childbirth Collective by the Numbers

by Liz Hochman, CD(DONA), LCCE

The Childbirth Collective doulas attended over 700 births in the Twin Cities in 2012.  We took some time to compile some year-end stats, and came up with what we think are very interesting numbers that offer a snapshot into the Twin Cities birth community.  These statistics show the varied settings, providers, types of families, and types of births attended by Childbirth Collective doulas.

Two-thirds of the births Collective doulas attended were for first-time families and over 200 births were for mamas expecting their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 5th baby!  We believe there is a special role for everyone in the birth space as we don’t just support the mother but also the family as a whole. Nearly all (97%) of the births we attended last year included a partner in attendance and almost 20% included another family member as well.

Hospital births made up the majority of our births last year, with 90% taking place at Twin Cities hospitals.  We feel strongly that mamas need doulas in home birth (7%) and Out-Of-Hospital Birth Center (3%) settings as well.  Although we’ve had one of our doulas at every single hospital in the area for at least a handful of births, we spend the majority of our time at Abbott, St. Joe’s, Methodist, HCMC, Fairview Riverside, and Woodwinds (15%, 14%, 12%, 8%, 8%, 9%).

No matter what type of provider you are birthing with, chances are we’ve been there!  While 50% of our births took place with a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in attendance, we attended births with OBs (37%), Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) (9%), and Family Practices Doctors (5%).

Whether you are seeking a natural birth or a birth with pharmacological pain management, a doula is valuable and can support you in ways that are unique to your needs.  Collective doulas report that 55% of their clients used no pain medication, 31% used an epidural for pain management, and 14% used other pharmacological methods.

Even if you are planning a cesarean or NOT planning one, but end up having an unexpected surgical birth – we are trained to change our support and comfort skills as your birth unfolds. Last year, families using a Collective doula had a 12% unplanned cesarean rate. Collective doulas also attended a handful of planned cesareans. When an unplanned cesarean birth was the ultimate outcome, our doulas were allowed into the operating room to perform continuous support for those families 67% of the time.

Liz Hochman is a birth doula and Lamaze-Certified Childbirth Educator who teaches at Blooma in Minneapolis, MN. She is the mother of two adorable girls. Read more about Liz at minneapolisdoula.com

Intuitive Birthing: A Doula’s Role

by Julie Colby, LAC, BD

As a birth doula, mother of three, and a feminist, I view birth as a journey of self-discovery.  The birth journey is an opportunity to travel deeper into one’s being and explore all aspects of it.  Ask any woman who has birthed and she will confirm that the birth journey compels her to fully embrace every aspect of her being. Having witnessed multiple births, ranging from unmedicated home births to surgical hospital births, I have deep reverence for how birthing mothers hold their own space during this journey.

The role of the doula is to serve birthing mothers and their partners physically and emotionally during birth as well as being a resource and supportive influence in the prenatal and postpartum phase.  One advantage of having a doula present, of the numerous reasons, is that doulas are there only to serve, which allows partners or other family members to actively engage in their respective role of partner, sister, mother, friend, and so on.  With each birthing experience that we, as doulas, get to witness, we fine-tune our own awareness more and more precisely.

I have come to know that women honor their strength and challenges in birth and labor differently.  Some women want their partners to be actively involved while others prefer less physical involvement from their partners and lean more heavily on the doula to support them.  Some women like massage, touch, verbal affirmations, while others yearn for no physical touch, stillness, and absolute quiet.  All of these preferences all completely valid and normal, and as doulas, we will protect a birthing mother’s wishes with every thread of truth in our being.

To support families as a doula means that we allow them to birth intuitively.  We acknowledge their own wisdom and power while offering continual support during their birth journey.  While we do not influence their decisions, we sense when they are struggling or need more information about their birth.  We truly act as a birth team to form a solid and trusting relationship prenatally.   If and when questions or concerns arise, families know we are offering wisdom based upon their birth plan and of the multiple meetings that have transpired prior to birth.

Another important attribute of the doula’s role is to honor a birthing mother’s wishes regarding her body, her pregnancy, her birth, and her amazing newborn.  Our intention is to promote awareness of the choices that are available along the journey from a nonjudgmental perspective.  Just as we believe there are no two births or pregnancies exactly the same, no two women are the same and we all have our own unique opinions.  It is impossible for any woman to know how she will feel during her birth journey, what noises will please or disturb her, what aromas will appeal to her, or what comfort measures will feel just right until that moment arises.

That is why, doulas have grown to become observant, aware, and mindful of the present moment when serving families.  It is because we have deep reverence for the transient nature of the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of birth and we trust that women know their bodies better than anyone else.  The role of the doula, in the words of a very wise midwife, is of the utmost importance to all birthing families!

Julie is a birth and postpartum doula, a Licensed Acupuncturist, and teaches Sacred Pregnancy. She is mother to three incredible boys and she loves her Circle of Women.  Find out more about Julie at ladysslipperwellness.com. 

 

Your Doula: Personalized Comfort for your Birthing Time

by Hope Lien, CD(DONA), PD

You’ve practiced the hip squeeze and your breathing techniques in your childbirth education classes. You’ve even been to the Comfort Measures parent topic session. You (and your labor support) feel ready for your birthing time. And, you really should be proud of yourselves for preparing so well. But journeying through the birth process is a big deal, and there are lots of emotions going on. It can be a lot of pressure (especially on a partner) to have to recall which comfort technique is going to help at the right time, and if that is going to help move things along in your labor. What if the birthing mom doesn’t really like the way that the partner massages her or presses on her back? Then what?

If you have hired a doula, you have covered your bases. Your doula knows the various comfort measures backwards and forwards. She is, for the most part, freed up emotionally to just be there without having to go through the process of becoming a mother or a father. She is like a chameleon, quietly changing into the type of support person you need her to be when you need it. Perhaps things are going smoothly– your doula can be available to get you or your partner food, or just step in if your partner needs a nap. She can offer gentle reminders in early labor which comfort techniques you might enjoy, and suggest alternative options in active labor. She can be as much or as little as you need her to be.

She can subtly help your partner get the feel of things so that he or she can support you just right way, and the only thing you remember afterwards is that your partner was “just the best“ at supporting you in your labor. She can help your partner stay hands on, or not, if he or she prefers. Doulas are wonderful at filling in the gaps so that you get what you need, while allowing the partner to participate to their comfort–in a very loving and supportive way.

Your doula may also have specialized training in hypnosis techniques, acupressure, healing touch or spinning babies techniques. This is a great question to ask when you are interviewing doulas, as many doulas have done specialized training in other areas.

The doula can support you in your labor differently than anyone else on your team, because you have met with her before the birth. You know her, and she knows you. When your birthing time comes, she already knows the types of touch you like or don’t like. She knows your greatest fears, your strengths and your weaknesses. She uses that kind of relationship to be a very unique support person for you and your partner.

She knows the kind of environment you would like in your birthing space, and will create that for you seamlessly, so you can have peace of mind knowing things are like you want them to be, without having to say anything. She knows the hospital room well, and has never ending ideas to try to keep things moving along. She even knows creative ways to put that bed sheet to work! She can magically make the birthing ball, warm or cold compresses and warm blankets appear without having a big discussion about it.

Your doula is an abounding resource of different things to try– who wouldn’t like that kind of additional support for their birth? She will work with you and your partner until you find that technique that is just right for you. She will be there with you through the toughest moments you come up against, until you are over that hurdle. And she will be there waiting, cheering you on, as you (and your partner) cross that finish line.

Hope Lien has been working as a DONA-certified birth doula for 3 years,

and also serves families as a postpartum doula. She is passionate about helping each family find their unique path to parenthood. You can learn more about her by checking out hopethedoula.com

Doulas Make a Difference: Meghan and Julie

by Meghan R.

From the beginning of our pregnancy, I knew I wanted a doula to
support our birth. So, the decision was not “if” we were going to have
a doula, but “who.” Through my yoga community I was recommended
several doula names. Also, I heard about the Childbirth Collective
parent topic sessions through Blooma and had been encouraged to check
out the All About Doulas night. My husband was on board with hiring
a doula but didn’t really understand what a doula would provide so
we decided to attend the Childbirth Collective night to gain a better
understanding (besides hearing it from me). My husband was sold. We
hired a doula team and felt instantly connected and supported.

The doulas we selected offered prenatal home visits to discuss our
pregnancy and birth preferences. The home visits were a nice time to
casually get to know each other and build rapport. Our doulas educated
us on choices that may be presented in the hospital (pain management)
and shared resources to support our pregnancy and journey to
parenthood.

Our doula (Julie Colby) was available as soon as our journey began
and attended our (very long) birth. During this time, she provided
great support for my husband and myself. Because my labor was not
progressing, she helped educate us about our decisions along the way
and feel trusting in the process. This was huge for me. Many things
came into our birth experience that we were not anticipating and
our doula helped us to be OK with our choices and trust the hospital
staff. This positively influenced my labor and delivery because I could
surrender to the process, trust, continue to breathe, and remain calm.
Julie helped remove the fear, doubt, and unknown as it bubbled up
throughout our birth. She always used positive and encouraging words.
She honored the mantras, images, and sounds I chose for our birth.
There was absolutely no judgment and she was instrumental to our
successful vaginal delivery and arrival of our precious son, Nolan.