As far back as history goes, in most cultures and countries, women have supported women during childbirth. In most cultures a midwife was present to oversee the birth and assist the process physiologically. In many instances the midwife had an assistant, or a “doula,” a Greek word meaning “servant woman” to support the birthing mother if she did not have her own inner-circle of women and family members to support her. These women would provide wisdom, nourishment, nurturing and comfort measures to the birthing woman during the birth. Universally, birth was regarded as a sacred and empowering event in most women’s lives.
Sadly, medical development and advancement in our modern society have robbed birthing women of that sanctity. These days, pregnancy is regarded as a medical condition and delivering a baby a medical procedure. The birthing room is brightly lit with fluorescent lights, hospital noises fill the air and the birthing woman is confined to a bed where, more often than not, she gives birth in a position she’s told to assume and not in a position of her choice. What’s more, she is further constrained to her choice of birthplace by the insurance company requirements and protocols.
Giving birth has become big business for hospitals, obstetricians and insurance companies, and all of them do it in the name of “safety for mother and child”. Research and statistics show that Cesarean sections, and medical interventions during birth, are at an all-time high. However scientific research has also revealed that the presence of doulas, supporting birthing women physically and emotionally, reduces c-section deliveries and substantially reduces the use of epidural anaesthesia, forceps deliveries other medical interventions during birth.
So, in a world in which there are so many considerations to take into account, and where birthing women are required to “work within the system”, you can have the best of both – make use of the expertise of a doula at your birth. Whether you’re having a natural delivery at a birthing center or you’re giving birth at a hospital, even if you’re having a c-section delivery, a doula will significantly enhance your birthing experience!
Here are some tips to consider when appointing a doula:
- If you have the means to hire a private doula make sure you get referrals from your midwife, care provider or friends.
- Research the doulas who’ve been recommended to you. If they are private doulas, most of them have a website or a Facebook page which provides info about the doula, and where you can get an idea of her birth philosophy and the type of person she is.
- Interview potential doulas.
- Like any interview, prepare for it and compile a list of questions to ask during each interview.
- Remember you need to “click” with your doula. She’ll be working in close contact with you for a good period of time, so if she has an annoying tick, or is too overbearing for your likes you’ll need to flag it. Thank her for her time and interview another candidate.
- If you don’t have the financial means to pay for a doula, and your insurance company doesn’t cover the cost of a doula, there may be volunteer doulas who work in your area – do a Google search to find them.
- In many countries there are foundations that serve low income families and many of them provide the service of a doula when you enroll in their birthing program. In this case you wouldn’t be able to interview your doula, but the fact that she’s working for this foundation guarantees that she has your best interests at heart.
- If you have a birthing partner, it’s a good idea to include him/her in the interview as it’s part of the doula’s job to advise your birthing partner how s/he can best support you during your labor and birth.
Your doula will support you, nurture you and be your advocate, if you want her to be. She can make the difference between you having a traumatic birth experience and having a beautiful birth experience!
