The Benefits of Hiring a Doula

Child birth is an experience that every woman is nervous and anxious about. Your child's birth is an experience that will stick with you forever, and especially if it is bad one. No one ever expects that their child birth experience is going to be a bad one. Ever since a woman is a child, she dreams of being a mom, and dreams of that moment when she is holding that baby in her arms for the first time. She is not dreaming about laying on an operating table with her guts cut open and watching everyone else hold her baby but herself.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes, and I stress that very lightly, sometimes cesarean sections are necessary to save the baby or the mother. I also believe many cesareans are totally unnecessary, mine being one of them. Many cesareans are being scheduled at the convenience of the OB/GYN and to decrease their liability.

So when I was pregnant with my second child, I hired a doula to help me with my attempt at a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Here are the benefits of spending a little extra money to get the most amazing birth experience of your life.

-Pre-labor mentoring. Before you go into labor, your doula keeps in touch to see how your doctors appointments went and some things you can be doing to help you along the way. For example, if your child is posterior or breech, they can tell you positions that you can be in and attempt to help move the baby into the desired birthing position.

-Laboring at home. When you begin laboring, your doula can come to your home and help you labor in a comfortable place until you absolutely feel the need to get to the hospital. I loved this! I was able to be in the comforts of my own home during the beginning stages of labor, instead of laying in those uncomfortable hospital beds being continuously monitored for endless hours on end. I was able to walk around the neighborhood and not the halls of a hospital.

-Giving comfort. Most times, your partner is unable to understand what you're going through when you're in labor, and in essence, they don't know how to comfort you. I was doing simple things like tightening my jaw during contractions, and just her telling me not to do that would give me added comfort. A doula can also do things like rub your back, talk to you in a soothing and comforting voice, and just honestly, help get you through the intensity of the labor. They help you focus on the rest and not the time of contraction.

-Taking pictures. This is one of my favorite things my doula did...she took endless pictures of me while I labored and delivered. This gives your partner time to focus on you and not worrying about taking pictures.

-Writing a birth story. This is my favorite thing that my doula did. All throughout the labor, from the second I called her to the second she left my side after my daughter was born, she took very detailed notes and then wrote up a birth story. It brought me to tears when I read it. Often, you forget all the little details of your labor because you are focused on the labor and then the joy of your new child. I'll cherish my birth story forever.

-Helping you keep your wishes. Many times during labor, you just want it to be over with, so you don't think about all of your wishes from your birth plan. Your doula makes sure that your nurses and your doctors remember your desires.

-Working with staff. Your doula will run for you when you need different things and talk with staff about your wishes and desires.

Overall, my doula experience was one I will never forget. I will never have a child without a doula again! I advise you that if you're planning on hiring a doula to do your research. Make sure that you get referrals and ask the doula how much experience she has and her certifications. Anyone can say they are a doula, but it is your job to make sure that they are a qualified one!

Good luck to all of you! I pray your experience is a wonderful one!