|
To Doula or
Not To Doula
What is a doula you
ask? It certainly is a funny word!
A doula is a person
who supports, but does not judge you and your partner in the
birthing experience. Your doula provides ongoing
information to help you make good decisions during birthing.
Doulas do not prevent you from getting an epidural, rather they
offer physical and emotional support to be well informed.
And many women who have doulas find that they don't need
epidurals.
Because your doula
is comfortable and familiar with labor and birth (unlike your
partner, friend or family member), your doula becomes a
valuable resource in a hospital setting, where one-to-one care
is hard to come by.
The doula helps the
partner to enjoy and participate fully in the birthing
experience, without the burden of having to remember everything
that was taught in childbirth classes.
A doula's unique
role is to encourage the woman's self-confidence, help her find
positions that are comfortable and effective for labor progress,
protect her privacy, and help her relax and focus on the natural
rhythm and progress of her labor.
Tracy Hartley of
www.bestdoulas.com provided us with this
belly scoop idea to help keep our big bellies informed.
Tracy loves being a Belly Scooper and is a member of DASC (Doula
Association of Southern California) and has participated in more
than 100 births.
|
