Pregnancy and Childbirth Support, Birth Doula, Breastfeeding & More
A birth story characterized by love and respect is worth remembering.
Your child's birth is a story you will remember for a lifetime, and tell hundreds of times to friends, family and even strangers. There are many types of birth stories being told. There are stories of quick births and births that took many hours. There are stories of happy births and sad births. There are stories of medicated or un-medicated births. There are stories of joy despite the pain, and then there are some of fear, dis-respect and lack of control. When telling their birth stories, most women relive the event in their mind. It can bring up excitement and joy, sadness and tears, and for some anger and resentment. When you think of your birth story, how do you want to tell it? How do you want to feel when you tell it? How do you want to remember it?
As you are the author and the lead character of your birth story, your birth doula (labor assistant) is one of your supporting characters. It is the doula's job to help you keep your birth experience as much in line with your birth plan as is safe for you and the baby. She provides physical and emotional comfort and support to you during your labor and delivery. She is your advocate to help you find your voice if things get confusing or when your birth plan is not being observed by medical staff. She is your personal assistant and keeps record of the labor and delivery; finds a warm blanket; helps with the visitors, etc.
A birth doula does not take the place of a birth partner that wishes to take part during the labor and delivery. It is her job to stay in the shadows and appear when she is needed. She supports the birth partner as well emotionally, providing re-assurance and suggestions on how to take care of the laboring woman. She provides him or her breaks when needed. She finds him or her a snack, a warm blanket or a cot to sleep on.
A doula does not leave until the baby has been delivered. Unless otherwise specified, she stays by the mother's side for a little while after delivery. Only then does she leave the family to celebrate with her promise to follow up in the next day or two.