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Hello parents-to-be and baby enthusiasts! This week’s article is about doulas, an extra service that may complement your birthing team.
In addition to choosing who your primary care provider will be during your pregnancy, there are other options available for supporting expecting parents including hiring the services of a doula.
Before this pregnancy, I didn’t understand what a doula's responsibilities are. I knew of a few friends who had hired a doula as a part of their birth plan, but never fully comprehended the need.
I’ve had the chance to chat with a few of the doulas in the Kelowna area to get an idea of their perspective of what kind of support and services they provide.
What is a doula and how does a doula differ from a midwife?
Doulas should never be confused with medical or clinical care. Tracy Armstrong, who has been practicing as a doula since 2009 says, “Midwives are medical care providers – they look after the health of the person giving birth and the baby while doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families during pregnancy, birth and the immediate postpartum.”
Most doulas will stay throughout the whole labour process. “We focus on helping the birthing mom stay positive, calm and breathing,” says Kris Loewen, a mother of four children and a brith and postpartum doula. “Although we may step out of the room for privacy, or let's be honest, coffee, we do not change shifts or go off call after a certain hour or amount of time.”
Often the duty of a doula overlaps with the medical practitioner. They provide massages to the birthing mom or other comforting touches that are known to be helpful in labour. “A doula is dedicated solely to the woman and her partner, helping to hear her preferences, says Loewen. “Most doulas continue supporting moms after the birth, with birth processing and support in the home.”
According to the Government of Canada’s Pregnancy and Women's Mental Health in Canada report, 7.5% of women reported depressive symptoms after giving birth. Armstrong believes that one of the benefits of working with a doula is the reduction of postpartum depression. “Well documented studies from around the world have concluded that having the support of a doula increases birther’s confidence and satisfaction in the process,” says Armstrong.
Loewen echos a similar tune. “Evidence actually shows that when a doula is present women feel more positive about their birth,” says Loewen. “Considering that most will remember their birth forever, that's significant.”
Capturing the moment
In addition to the typical support, some doulas also provide birth photography services. Being photographed while giving birth has gained popularity over the years with the improvement of women’s empowerment.
Krista Evans is a local resident who offers both doula support as well as birth photography. “Birth photography is highlighting the vulnerable and emotional beauty within all chapters of birth, says Evans. “Looking back on the intimacy of these moments is a great way to honour your birth experience and also heal through it.”
Evans’ photographs have been published in magazines worldwide and she captures birth stories in all of its raw and honest beauty. She says, “From the intensity of active labour contractions to the tenderness of partner support, pushing, your baby’s first breath earthside, and the beautiful bond afterwards, I capture it all!”
To Doula or Not to Doula
Deciding whether a doula is right for you takes time and since all pregnancies are different, it will depend on your situation. My best friend who is due five days before me has decided that because she has a c-section scheduled, she will have a sufficient birth team and will not be hiring a doula.
If you are planning to seek out a doula, you may want to interview multiple doulas so you can see who is the best fit. After all, this is a person who will be a part of one of the most important and intimate times in your life.
As always, I invite you to join the conversation! If you have had a doula as a part of your birth plan, how was your experience? Would you recommend having the emotional, physical and informational support?
If you have topic suggestions for this column, please reach out. Find me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or email me at KelownaNow.
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