Posts Tagged ‘doulas’

I’ve recently added interviews with doulas here on the blog, and a few of you have asked me to explain what a doula is. Here is my reply. Enjoy!

What is a (birth) Doula?

A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

Modern-day doulas serve in many roles including:

• providing objective, nurturing support and education
• making suggestions about maintaining maximum comfort with breathing, relaxation, movement, massage, and positioning
• keeping mom focused and confident in her ability to have the most positive birthing experience
• providing breaks and support for other members of the birthing team
• serving as an advocate for the birthing mom and her support team

Essentially, the doula’s role is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.

Interestingly, the word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “woman’s servant” and that is resonates for me in the context of service–women love to be of service, and women helping women is a powerful dynamic; especially when bringing little ones into the world. In the words of one devoted doula, she describes her role by saying, “The role of a doula is to mother the mother.”

Research has shown that when a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. When you are nurtured through a life-changing event by someone who genuinely cares about maximizing the experience–and possesses specific expertise–it can only be more rich.

Doulas provide a valuable service to new moms, their partners and the babies, ensuring a positive experience for all. To find a doula in your area, go to:

http://americanpregnancy.org/members/doulas

For our new interview series, we asked several doula’s the same questions, with the intent and desire to share with you the doula’s expertise and perspective as a birth partner, and to help you discern if a doula might be right for you in your own birth process. The questions we asked are as follows:

1. What are the top three things someone should consider when choosing a doula?
2. What tip or tips would you like to share with mother’s to be?
3. What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
4. And a “bonus” question: Is there an experience you’ve had as a doula that you would like to share?

This month’s interview is with Trella Dubetz, a Birth Arts International trained Doula. Douladonna is a full spectrum, holistic doula service including pre-natal, labor, and post-pardum care. Trella specializes in: Practical and Sacred Birth Planning, Ecstatic Birth, Natural birth support and advocacy, Hospital and home birth, Gentle self-hypnosis for birth, Flower Essence Treatments and so much more. Trella is a caring, compassionate, energetically in-tune, right-hand woman to assist you in birthing, shedding, cracking, tapping, manifesting, and creating what you desire in your life- AND / OR / BETTER YET, assist YOU in your understanding of your OWN SPIRITUAL MEDICINE so you can do it on your own!

She can be found at http://douladonna.blogspot.com/

What would you say are the top three things someone should consider when choosing a doula?
Do you feel fully supported in your choices for your pregnancy and labor by the doula?
Do you feel ultra-comfortable to LET YOUR GUARD down with the doula?
Are you able to express your fears as well as your excitement around your pregnancy, labor, and post-partum period with the doula?

What tip or tips would you like to share with mother’s to be?
SLOW DOWN! Enjoy the time~ you have everything you need to have a beautiful birth and to be a FABULOUS MOTHER!

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
The most humbling, magical, and wonderful thing about being a doula is standing along the mother as she give birth– as she becomes the gateway to life!! Every time, it is ALWAYS a miracle!

Is there an experience you’ve had as a doula that you would like to share?
The overall experience that I hold as a doula is that EVERY BIRTH IS GORGEOUS, AMAZING, and WISE- no matter what the circumstance or expectation was!!! From quick, natural home births to long and extensive births that eventually included cesarean, ALL THE BIRTH WERE INCREDIBLE and WISE. Open yourself to the wisdom of your labor!