Belly Casting Placenta Dehydration HypnoBirthing Classes
Will a doula replace the husband/partner and make him feel unnecessary?
No, a doula does not take the place of the partner or husband. In fact, a doula enhances their role by making sure the partner is taken care of and encouraged, too. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with a doula present. A doula supports and encourages the father and enhances his support style rather than replaces him. A doula's role changes, depending on the needs of the couple. She may be the primary support person for the woman or have more of a background role of support, providing gentle reminders of how to ease discomfort or encourage labor progress. She is supportive of both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping the partner become involved in the birth to the extent he or she feels comfortable.
The father or partner, may be extremely willing and able to provide continuous emotional and physical support but has little actual experience dealing with the forces of labor. Even fathers who have had intensive preparation are often surprised at the amount of work involved (more than enough for two people). Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a strenuous environment. If it comes time to make decisions about the course of labor, the doula can instill clarity and confidence in the couple by drawing upon information shared at prenatal visit regarding their birth wishes to insure that an informed and well-communicated decision is made.
Does a doula make decisions for the woman?
Does hiring a doula mean having to labor without pain medications?
No. A doula is there to support the woman's decisions every step of the way whether she chooses to have pain medications or not. It a woman intends to use pain medications, there is usually still a need for hands-on labor support until a steady labor pattern has been established and an epidural can be most successful. However, if the goal is to have an unmedicated birth, a doula can be an integral part. She will help the woman stay focused on her birth plan and can provide a variety of coping techniques and comfort measures during labor that will aid in relaxation and encourage labor progress. She can also provide reassurance and a belief in the woman's ability to achieve the natural birth she desires. Gate-Control Theory of Pain Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) What is a postpartum doula?
This theory helps explain the way hypnosis and the comfort measures used during childbirth work to relieve pain during labor. According to this theory, pain sensations travel along sensory nerve pathways to the brain, but only a limited number of sensations, or messages, can travel through these nerve pathways at one time. Using distraction techniques such as massage or stroking, music, focal points, and imagery reduce or completely block the capacity of nerve pathways to transmit pain. These distractions are thought to work by closing down a hypothetic gate in the spinal cord, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. The perception of pain is thereby diminished. (Maternity and Women’s Health Care, Lowdermilk, Perry)
A TENS unit transmits mild electrical impulses through the skin and stimulates nerve fibers. A handheld battery-operated device generates the electrical impulses & transmits them via stimulating pads placed on the back. The woman controls the stimulation, is able to walk and move with no other loss of sensation or decrease in mental function. Use of TENS may postpone or avoid an epidural. The unit provides relieve from back pain during labor through Gate Control, (see next section). I have been trained by DONA in the use of a TENS unit during labor and can provide a TENS unit for your use, if needed.
A postpartum doula is a nurturing, non-judgmental woman who helps ease the transition into parenthood during the early postpartum weeks. She offers emotional support, assistance with breastfeeding,
and practical newborn care tips. She takes care of necessary household tasks such as meal preparation, light cleaning, and errand running.
Unlike a baby nurse who focuses her care solely on the newborn, a postpartum doula encourages and teaches parents how to care for their newborn, to interpret their baby's cues, and to trust their instincts in responding to their babies needs, imbuing parents with the confidence and support they need to develop their own parenting style. Most importantly, a doula will adjust her services to meet the particular needs of each family.
Whether it's for a few hours a day or overnight, a doula will help you build confidence and provide support for the whole new family in the comfort of you home. The doula's goal is to work herself out of a job by nurturing confidence in your parenting skills and by supporting your decisions.
