10 Reasons to Hire a Doula

1. Birth Doulas empower women to make educated and informed choices
2. Birth Doulas decrease your chance of the unnecessary use of forceps by 41% and cesarean birth by 28%
3. Birth and Postpartum doulas help increase your chances of reaching your breastfeeding goals
4. Birth Doulas decrease the incidence of postpartum depression and increase birth experience satisfaction by 33%
5. Birth Doulas provide an objective third party at the birth
6. Birth Doulas allow partners to be as involved as they wish
7. Birth & Postpartum Doulas help support breastfeeding and mother/baby bonding while increasing confidence levels of mother
8. Postpartum Doulas help the new mother find her own parenting style while promoting a healthy family dynamic
9. Postpartum Doulas help the household to smoothly make the transition integrating the new family member
10. Postpartum Doulas help provide a buffer to extended family’s expectations

 

10 Natural Pain Management Techniques

1. Counter Pressure – in the area of the back/sacrum where discomfort is most intense
2. Ambiance – low lighting, comfortable room temperature, soft blankets and pillows, and music can all help to promote physical relaxation through relaxing the senses
3. Breathing Techniques – deep abdominal breaths help to keep you calm, relaxed and focused, which helps to alleviate pain
4. Water – Immersing in warm water has shown to be a natural pain reliever
5. Birthing Aids – such as birthing balls, hot rice sock, ribozos, and aromatherapy
6. Vocalization – in low tones gives mother the ability to respond to the pain while still staying relaxed
7. Visualization – allows you to fill your mind with positive images that allow you to relax
8. Self-Hypnosis – removes tension and fear, which allows for complete emotional, mental, and physical relaxation
9. Position Changes – changing position helps to allow your body remain relaxed and open, minimizing discomfort
10. Emotional Support – of a trusted partner, friend or family member

 

10 Labor Positions

1. Standing — allows you to sway and move, alleviating pain
   
2. Walking — activity helps the baby to descend
   
3. Sitting — allows gravity to assist in bringing the baby down
   
4. Sitting on toilet — helps you to relax the pelvic floor muscles which are crucial in allowing baby to descend down through the birth canal
   
5. Semi-sitting — sitting while reclining
   
6. Side-lying — can easily rest in between contractions
   
7. Leaning forward — on a wall, on to a partner, etc., helps relieve back pressure
   
8. Kneeling (leaning forward with support) — helps alleviate back pressure, allows your hips to be unrestricted and able to move and sway with contractions
   
9. Squatting — assists the pelvis in opening by as much as 30%
   
10. Hands and knees — great position when having back labor, also to help a posterior baby to rotate to the correct position
    

 

10 Questions to Ask Your OB

1. What is your surgical birth rate?
2. Do you support VBACs and how?
3. If you cannot attend my birth, who will, and can I meet them?
4. What percentage of your patients are induced? How long do you let your patients go before you recommend induction and how long do you let a mom labor before you suggest interventions?
5. What is your policy on ruptured membranes?
6. What do you think of doulas?
7. How open are you to alternative birthing positions, including squatting, standing, and all-fours?
8. What are your policies on episiotomies and do you require continuous monitoring?
9. Do you encourage your patients to labor at home before coming to the hospital?
10. How open are you to delaying cord clamping and cutting?