Doula 101

Throughout all of history women have supported women in childbirth, which is exactly the role of a doula. This kind of support that is focused on the mother in such an intentional way has become more and more uncommon as families live more separate and birth becomes more medicalized. Until recently birth most commonly took place at a mother’s home, where she and her child were continuously monitored and taken care of. In a typical modern hospital birth setting doctors, nurses, and even midwives cannot offer this kind of support as they have many patients and responsibilities to tend to. And while the mother’s partner may be eager to offer support in whatever way is needed, they may not be able to meet the mother’s specific needs - whether it be during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. Doulas are able to offer support to the mother by asking what her wishes are and advocating that they are respected, helping educate in making informed decisions, offering techniques for pain relief, giving constant encouragement, keeping the mother and her partner hydrated and fed, helping establish breastfeeding, and even staying well connected with the mother postpartum to support her mental and emotional well-being. I have had the privilege of working with doulas and witnessing the importance of what they do, and have benefitted personally from their services. They are gentle, fierce, respectful, assertive, servant-hearted, well-informed, patient, uplifting, and passionate women. I reached out to some, who are local to Des Moines, IA, to offer an insight into a doula’s heart and what they do.

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Why are doulas important for a woman’s birth experience?

“A woman's experience in birth is something she will remember for the rest of her life. It will empower her as a mother or not. Having a doula increases the likelihood that she will be empowered. As a doula, I offer my clients evidence-based information (www.evidencebasedbirth.com is one of my favorite resources) and a birth plan template to help them systematically work through ALL of their options for labor, birth, newborn care, and postpartum. By the time they enter their birth space, they are informed and have a plan for their ideal scenario as well as a variety of other scenarios that may arise. Having a plan helps them know what to advocate for in the birth space and after baby arrives (she and her partner are in the driver's seat!). They know why they made the decisions they made and the questions to ask to become more informed. I am in the birth space with them to offer reassurance and further information, if needed. I offer tools, positions, and strategies for coping with labor and help to keep them in a positive mental space (after all, 95% of coping with labor is mental - women's bodies know what to do). I am a space protector so mom and her partner feel safe and supported - this allows her body to work best to birth her baby. Doulas are important for a woman's birth experience because they help her feel safe, supported, and ready to advocate. This encourages her to feel empowered in her birth experience and as a mother.”

what is your favorite thing about being a doula?

“I get asked this often! It seems like it would be an easy answer, but there is so much to love and every birth has it own best moment. Because people often think of doulas as women getting paid to snuggle babies, they're usually very surprised to hear that, while I love babies, I rarely hold them! My job is to come alongside a mother and watch her blossom into motherhood. To support a dad and see fatherhood set in the moment he lays eyes on his newborn. To sum it up, I think my favorite part of being a doula is watching life grow, then begin, then transform two people into parents, then 3 (or 4!) into a family. It's not so much a thing, but an accumulation of things that create one beautiful thing: life. I love to witness life.”

why did you become a doula?

“When I was growing up, I never learned how amazing the female body is and was terrified at the idea of a pap smear. I've come a long way since then! After taking courage to learn, receiving some specialty OB/GYN care of my own, and giving natural vaginal birth to my own daughter with the help of a doula and midwife, I couldn't push off my passion for helping other women to take charge of their own healthcare any longer. When we are educated about our bodies and know all of our options for care, we are empowered to live and give birth in a way that takes fear out of the whole experience. Our bodies are incredible, are built for birth, and are just as resilient as our minds at tackling hard yet immensely rewarding tasks! I'm a doula because I believe there is inherent strength and endurance in every mom, and that every mom deserves to feel supported throughout pregnancy and birth."

what do you tell a mom when she feels like she has hit a wall?

“I think it really depends on the woman. I have held a woman with tears streaming down both of our faces as I try to be exactly what she needs. I would say mostly I would remind her of her power. That THIS is her moment. THIS is her chance to show up. I would tell her that she is beautiful and so strong and that she has everything she needs to tap into her invitation to show up and do this work.”