5 Reasons to Hire a Doula
Pregnancy is an amazing and exciting time in a woman's life. At the same time, it is riddled with a hoard of information and tips from parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, and even that stranger on the street who tried to touch your belly (yikes!).
In the mix of this information, your friend may have mentioned that extra support person who came in to help her be comfortable during labor. Your sister may have raved about the person who came in and gave her the first peaceful night of sleep she had gotten in weeks. Your coworker may have talked about how her doula was the reason she was able to go back to work and still maintain breastfeeding her baby.
There is so much support that a doula has to offer, and doula care is becoming more widespread in the Tri-State Area. It’s no wonder, since research shows that having a doula reduces risk of a c-section (by 39%), reduces rates for epidural and pitocin use, that clients have a higher rating of satisfaction with labor and birth, and that a doula helps reduce rates of postpartum mood disorders.
Hiring a Forever Doula is hiring an expert in everything related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum and baby! The birth and postpartum doulas at Forever Doula are of the best in the field and have been hand picked to provide exceptional care that makes a major difference in this very special time in your life.
Here are 5 reasons why hiring a doula is so important.
1. A Doula Helps Prepare You for Birth
You know all of those questions floating in the back of your mind? The what-ifs with possible scenarios that could happen during delivery. Or wondering how in the world your cervix stretches to ten centimeters, and what that looks like. Or curiosity about what different medications are available during delivery, and what are the benefits, risks and alternatives to those. Or simply what those two bands are that they put on your stomach and what they do.
A deer can stop labor for up to days if it’s frightened. Humans work similarly in that if we are walking into labor unsure about what is happening, it can truly affect the way that we labor. Here at Forever Doula, your doulas have two 2-3 hour prenatal visits with you. During this time, they teach you about birth, and help you narrow down your own vision for your birth. They also help prepare your partner, helping them to understand what will happen, and how to support you. They even help you practice breathing techniques, laboring positions and pushing positions, and give you some nice massages during the prenatal visits!
2. A Doula Doesn’t Leave Your Side
Did you know that you don’t spend a lot of time with the doctor whom you carefully picked out at your delivery. Don’t get us wrong, a doctor is incredibly important and will ultimately make a big difference in you being able to achieve your goals for your birth. But, they usually aren’t there for much of your labor. They typically will be in touch with your nurse and pop in a few times before you're ready to push, when they come and spend the majority of their time in the birthing room. Even your nurse residing over your care is spread between multiple patients.
Your doula is the person in the room with you and your partner, at all times. Your doula will help you with breathing techniques, comfort techniques, and they will help you understand what the monitors are saying. They will help position you so that you are as comfortable as possible while having baby descend as quickly as possible. They will also watch you for signs of exhaustion and help you rest when it's needed, and help you move when it's needed. They are the constant calm, for you and for your partner.
3. A Doula Has Your Vision as Her Priority
When you are in labor, you want someone in the room with knowledge and experience who has absolutely no other motive than to help you safely get the birth that you desire. This will impact how she works with you throughout labor and the recommendations she will have for different positions, comfort measures and more.
Your doulas sole goal is to help you feel in control even if there are moments that are outside of your control. This is achieved through having “Informed Consent”, which is you being able to consent to whatever is necessary, but not blindly. You are able to have all of the medical jargon and terms broken down so that you understand and assess the benefits, risks, alternatives and more. Your doula will help facilitate this in your birthing process. She will help advocate for you.
4. A Doula Can Assist with Lactation
Lactation can be challenging for most moms. Even moms who have nursed babies before are often thrown for a loop when they are back in the newborn stages of breastfeeding. Little known expert lactation tip- breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. If it hurts, it is indicative of some sort of issue, from latch issues to possible oral ties and beyond.
Forever Doulas are all Lactation Specialists and know how to teach moms about how to properly latch her baby, as well as how often to feed, different positions to feed baby in, and more. We even have International Board Certified Lactation Consultants on our team for more specialized concerns.
5. A Doula Can Help with All Baby (and Parent) Concerns
Did you circumcise your baby and now you're unsure of how to change his diaper without hurting him?
Did you leave him intact and don't know how to properly clean him?
Do you have a girl and literally have no idea the proper way to get her totally clean?
Is baby sitting right in his car seat?
Is this swaddle done correctly?
How often do I need to burp her during feedings?
Why is she covering her face with her arm whenever I try to latch her?
The list goes on.
Your doula is there to help answer all of your questions and assist with every need that you have. This doesn't exclude you. Your doula is there to check in on how you're doing before and after birth, and can help look out for signs of perinatal or postpartum mood disorders. She is also there to help your transition into being a family, helping you and your partner feel empowered as you move into this new, scary, wonderful time of your life.
Even though this is a list of only 5 Reasons to Hire a Doula, there are so many more reasons that doula care can benefit you. Here at Forever Doula, we have an amazing team of highly trained professionals who want to help meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about the fantastic service we can provide you.
