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What on earth is a doula?
Have you heard the term "doula" floating around and are wondering what a doula is? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a "doula" as "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after birth".
I just found this awesome (and short) article written by a doula. She debunks 5 myths about doulas including:
1). A doula would interfere with the bond between my husband/partner and I during labor.
2). If I have a midwife I don't need a doula!
3). My doula will protect me against hospital staff.
4). I can't afford a doula.
5). All doulas wear patchouli and long skirts and they only like natural birth.
Have you ever had a doula? Would you want one? If you've wanted one but never hired one why was that?
No matter what birth you're after (epidural, med-free, cesarean, etc.) a doula can be so beneficial in being a support to you and to your partner and of course your new baby! I have never had one but I did have my mother-in-law come in as my support person and I jokingly called her my doula because she definitely filled that role; she just didn't have a certification stating she had been trained.
So even if you don't want a doula have someone there other than your husband/partner so that your husband/partner can be supported during the birth as well! We can forget what we learned in childbirth prep and having a gentle reminder from someone with experience can be so helpful, especially in a hospital setting when you're pretty much left alone in your room with a nurse coming in from time-to-time.
I just found this awesome (and short) article written by a doula. She debunks 5 myths about doulas including:
1). A doula would interfere with the bond between my husband/partner and I during labor.
2). If I have a midwife I don't need a doula!
3). My doula will protect me against hospital staff.
4). I can't afford a doula.
5). All doulas wear patchouli and long skirts and they only like natural birth.
Have you ever had a doula? Would you want one? If you've wanted one but never hired one why was that?
No matter what birth you're after (epidural, med-free, cesarean, etc.) a doula can be so beneficial in being a support to you and to your partner and of course your new baby! I have never had one but I did have my mother-in-law come in as my support person and I jokingly called her my doula because she definitely filled that role; she just didn't have a certification stating she had been trained.
So even if you don't want a doula have someone there other than your husband/partner so that your husband/partner can be supported during the birth as well! We can forget what we learned in childbirth prep and having a gentle reminder from someone with experience can be so helpful, especially in a hospital setting when you're pretty much left alone in your room with a nurse coming in from time-to-time.
If you read the article you'll find that there is a difference between midwives and doulas. Doulas care for the mother emotionally and physically. They can stand-in for Dad or help Dad along (most midwives are not focused on that). At some point midwives also have to focus on the medical and physiological aspect of what is going on to make sure all is well with you and baby from the medical standpoint.
My midwife is essentially my doula also. She is there to comfort, support, and take care of us. She is great. So to me a doula is almost redundant....
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