You've taken the time to choose your primary support person, a birth partner if you will. That person could be your significant other, your mother, your sister, that best friend who is basically family, the list of people to pick from goes on and on. But once you've picked “the one” to be there for the birth of your child, why do you need a doula? They are just a paid support person right? If you have a great birth partner, why would you need another body in the room, and a paid one at that?
Let's be real for a second, a doula isn't just for the laboring mother. Allow that to sink in. Doulas can play a vital role and helping your birth partner fulfill the primary support person role to their highest potential. How you may ask? Simple, a doula and the chosen partner are both experts on two important parts of the task at hand. A doula is well versed on comfort measures and laboring options, while the partner is a expert on the laboring woman. Put those two skill sets together and you have a rock solid team.
Some of the most fulfilling labors I have supported, I did little more than reassure the partner while I gave mom some sips of water. Seriously, those were my main roles. The partner took the lead and tried comfort measures we had discussed prenatally, while I reminded mom to hydrate and empty her bladder. Occasionally I'd equip the partner with a new affirmation, suggest another technique as one lost its effectiveness, or offer some positions to provide relief. As they say, two heads are better than one, so as the partner focused on the current technique, I was able to focus on thinking what options to suggest next,we made a great team. From there, I watched the bond between two people, who were in this together, transform. It was beautiful.
A doula isn't going to take the place of anyone in the labor process. It just isn't in our nature. I'm not saying I'm never hands on, I absolutely get in there and assist with double hip squeezes, positioning, and hand holding. I can step in while the partner practices some self care, but I could never replace them. Providing physical, emotional, and educational support is my expertise, but that doesn't only apply to the laboring woman. Partners need support too. My role isn't take away from the partner's birth experience, but to enhance the dynamic between the laboring woman's support team of choice.
Alecia Miller, CD
Breaking Birth Barriers
Let's be real for a second, a doula isn't just for the laboring mother. Allow that to sink in. Doulas can play a vital role and helping your birth partner fulfill the primary support person role to their highest potential. How you may ask? Simple, a doula and the chosen partner are both experts on two important parts of the task at hand. A doula is well versed on comfort measures and laboring options, while the partner is a expert on the laboring woman. Put those two skill sets together and you have a rock solid team.
Some of the most fulfilling labors I have supported, I did little more than reassure the partner while I gave mom some sips of water. Seriously, those were my main roles. The partner took the lead and tried comfort measures we had discussed prenatally, while I reminded mom to hydrate and empty her bladder. Occasionally I'd equip the partner with a new affirmation, suggest another technique as one lost its effectiveness, or offer some positions to provide relief. As they say, two heads are better than one, so as the partner focused on the current technique, I was able to focus on thinking what options to suggest next,we made a great team. From there, I watched the bond between two people, who were in this together, transform. It was beautiful.
A doula isn't going to take the place of anyone in the labor process. It just isn't in our nature. I'm not saying I'm never hands on, I absolutely get in there and assist with double hip squeezes, positioning, and hand holding. I can step in while the partner practices some self care, but I could never replace them. Providing physical, emotional, and educational support is my expertise, but that doesn't only apply to the laboring woman. Partners need support too. My role isn't take away from the partner's birth experience, but to enhance the dynamic between the laboring woman's support team of choice.
Alecia Miller, CD
Breaking Birth Barriers