Labor Doula Makes Motherhood a True Career

Jessica Bejot is a woman with a mission--to ensure a comfortable, confident pregnancy and birth for every pregnant woman and her family. Jessica is a doula based in Colorado; her career field involves offering her maternal expertise and support to women bearing children.

Jessica describes what a doula can do for a client and explains why a woman should consider hiring a doula.Her experiences have taught her the importance of understanding and enjoying pregnancy and childbirth and the joy found in this natural process.

In your own words, what is a doula?

A doula is a person that offers non-clinical support for a woman and her family during the childbearing year.

There are three types of doulas: antepartum, labor or birth, and postpartum.

Labor doulas offer emotional, physical and informational support from pregnancy through labor, birth and postpartum.

What is the most important thing a doula does for a woman who is expecting?

What a doula does varies from individual to individual. For some, doulas are a strong foundation that gives strength to a birthing woman and her partner to achieve the birth they want; for others, a doula is an extra pair of hands to give physical support through a long or trying labor, and for others still a doula is a wealth of knowledge that assists by providing her expertise and training. So for me the most important thing a labor doula does is to be aware at all times of their clients needs and to provide individual care to address them.

Does your job change from client to client? Do some women want to focus more on certain things than others?

In the broad sense my job does not vary from client to client. I offer the same level of care to each woman and her partner. I will give each client the same number of prenatal and postnatal visits, continuous informational, emotional and physical support throughout labor, unlimited support through phone and email, on-call starting at 38 weeks through 3 weeks postpartum, a written birth story and photographs, and referrals and resources given as needed.

But from client to client my role may change. Each birth would have different planning and support whether it were an all-natural birth, an induction, an elective cesarean, vaginal birth with pain management, a home birth or a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). The family's emotional needs can change from client to client as well. There are women who look forward to birth, who are scared of pain, who have suffered trauma, who want a different experience from the last birth, single parents, overbearing parents, etc. The types of clients are as varied as the people of this world.

Doulas are trained to work with the whole spectrum. Every woman and her family deserve a doula no matter where they are emotionally or how they plan to birth their baby.

When did you realize you wanted to be a doula?

It was about three a.m. on a cold December morning that I knew I wanted to be a doula. My friend had just given birth. I was sitting in a bed next to her feeding her yogurt and granola while she breastfed her baby. Her husband was glowing with pride and teary-eyed.

I assisted them throughout their labor. I massaged her feet while he held her through contractions. I read birth blessings her friends had written, between contractions. I made sure they both drank their water and a marveled as she worked to bring her baby into the world. As I drove home, leaving them to be alone, I envisioned myself present at more births. It is in my nature to be a caring, supportive person and I have a passion for birthing women and their families. To do it as a career is truly a blessing.

Do you help your clients locate resources and products according to their needs?

Yes, this is a major portion of my prenatal work. I am a font of knowledge and information. I work to know the best health care providers, stay up to date on medical research and literature that pertains to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and baby, and I am always on the look out for the most up-and-coming baby related items. If I don't know an answer or the right person, or the best baby gadget I will do my best to find it for you. I know that preparing for baby, birth, and beyond is a lot of work. I like to help make it light work.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

Watching a woman and her partner become empowered to trust in their bodies, to become informed of their options, to own their birth, and witness them becoming parents and a new family. Pregnancy and birth are one of the few amazing experiences we get to do as humans and I strive to help them achieve the best birth possible.

What does the 'CLD' certification mean and what type of schooling does it entail?

CLD means Certified Labor Doula. This certification title is held by CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) trained individuals. In order to become a certified labor doula, one must complete 16 hours of comprehensive class time with an accredited, certified labor doula trainer. Requirements also require the student to read a variety of books focused on pregnancy, birth, doulas, and breastfeeding. One must also work as a doula at three births with good evaluations, attend a childbirth class at least 12 hours in length, pass a test, and agree with the scope of practice. To maintain certification, doulas are required to attend continuing education courses, work with at least three clients a year, maintain professional membership with CAPPA, and work within their scope of practice.

There are other certifying organizations such as DONA (Doulas International). Their certification title is simple CD or certified doula. Their training standards are similar to those of CAPPA.

What do your husband and children think about your work?

Joel, my husband, is very supportive. He and I both suffered trauma from the birth of our first daughter. It took us many years to fully understand the ramifications it had on us as a couple and as parents. We both agree that if we had a doula for her birth, things may have turned out better. We both want to help birth families fully understand, own, and love their births.

Our daughters probably know more about birth than most two- and four-year-olds, but that doesn't seem to bother them. Our oldest has already mentioned that she might be a doula or a midwife when she grows up. In her own words, "I think it is everything nice!" Both have seen live birth on video and think it is "cool" and that babies are "cute." I hope that my profession will allow them to have a healthy normal view of birth.

In your opinion, who needs a doula?

Every pregnant birthing woman and her family needs a doula. Doulas are there for every member of the birth team, to offer guidance in an unfamiliar situation, to give support where needed, and to empower families to have the birth they deserve. By no means does a doula take the place of a doctor, the nurses, a father, a partner, a mother. They enhance and empower these relationships and special moments to be what they were meant to be.

Do you advertise? If so, where?

Yes! Here is a list of the places you can find more about my labor doula services:

www.cappa.net

www.coloradodoulas.com

www.doulamatch.net

www.doulanetwork.com

www.birthingnaturally.net

www.houseofdoula.com

You can also become a fan on Facebook. Search Jessica Bejot, CLD

I also have ads on Facebook and with Google.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A midwife is a person trained to assist a woman in childbirth. There are many different types of midwives. The difference mainly lies in the type of training they receive. The three main ones are CNM, certified nurse midwife; a CPM, certified professional midwife, and Direct Entry or Lay Midwife. Midwives generally operate under a midwifery model of care that generally approaches birth from a philological, (meaning birth is normal) whole woman perspective. Midwives generally work with healthy normal pregnancies. They are an excellent option for a Health Care Provider during pregnancy, often offering safer births, fewer interventions, and more satisfied women.

A doula may operate under the midwifery model of care BUT will not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure, vaginal exams, or fetal heart monitoring. They are solely continuous informational, emotional and physical support.

It is not uncommon for a birthing woman and her family to have hired both a doula and a midwife or a doctor; both working together to support the entire needs of their clients on all levels.

If you are interested in learning more about Jessica's services, please visit her Web site: Jessica Bejot, LD