#birth doulas

[harmonyhealinghub]

Birth Doulas: Empowering Support for Expectant Families

Shaina Tranquilino

December 12, 2023

Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes, uncertainty. During this transformative time, many women seek additional support to ensure a positive birth experience. Enter birth doulas – compassionate professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational assistance before, during, and after childbirth. In this blog post, we will delve into what birth doulas are and explore their invaluable role in empowering expectant mothers.

Understanding Birth Doulas: A birth doula is a trained individual who offers non-medical support to expectant mothers throughout the entire childbirth process. These dedicated individuals are typically experienced in various birthing techniques and possess extensive knowledge of the physiological and emotional aspects of labour and delivery.

Their Role: 1. Emotional Support: Birth doulas provide unwavering emotional support during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum periods. They assist expectant mothers by actively listening to their concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams surrounding childbirth. By offering empathy and reassurance, these caring professionals help alleviate anxieties while fostering confidence.

2. Continuous Physical Comfort: Doulas employ an array of comfort measures to ease discomforts associated with labour pains such as massage techniques, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, positioning suggestions, and more. Their presence ensures that the mother's physical needs are addressed consistently throughout the birthing process.

3. Advocacy & Communication: One significant aspect of a birth doula's role is to act as an advocate for the mother's preferences and desires when communicating with healthcare providers or medical staff. This may include discussing pain management options or ensuring the mother has access to accurate information about procedures being performed.

4. Informational Support: Birth doulas empower expectant mothers by providing evidence-based information on various aspects of childbirth like different birthing positions or breastfeeding techniques. They ensure that the mother is well-informed, enabling her to make educated decisions regarding her birth plan.

5. Partner Support: Birth doulas also extend their support to partners or other family members involved in the birthing process. By guiding them on how best to assist and comfort the labouring mother, doulas help create a harmonious environment where everyone feels included and informed.

Benefits of Hiring a Birth Doula: The advantages of having a birth doula during childbirth are numerous:

1. Increased Satisfaction: Studies have shown that women who receive continuous support from a birth doula report higher levels of satisfaction with their birthing experience.

2. Reduced Interventions: Research indicates that with the presence of a doula, there is often a decrease in interventions like cesarean sections and epidurals, leading to more positive outcomes for both mother and baby.

3. Emotional Well-being: The emotional support provided by birth doulas significantly reduces stress levels for expectant mothers, promoting overall emotional well-being throughout pregnancy and beyond.

4. Lowered Risk of Postpartum Depression: Women supported by birth doulas tend to have lower rates of postpartum depression due to the consistent guidance and nurturing they receive during the vulnerable post-birth period.

Birth doulas play an essential role in ensuring positive experiences for expectant mothers during childbirth. Their unwavering support, knowledge, and advocacy empower women to navigate this transformative journey confidently. By providing physical comfort, emotional reassurance, informational assistance, and acting as an advocate, these dedicated professionals contribute significantly to creating fulfilling and empowering birthing experiences for all involved.

[tani-b-art]

Aftershock (2022)

[feminist-furby-freak]

Random question as a wannabe future doula and a feminist; have you found that a lot of doulas call women “birthing people” for the sake of inclusivity? It’s such a minor thing but it bugs me

It totally depends. Short answer is yes. Also, it’s not really a “minor thing” forcing us to use dehumanizing language is so fucking degrading and demoralizing. When I did my first training the instructors used all the hyper-woke language (birthing person, chest feeding, etc). Prominent online doulas/midwives do too, there was one who didn’t and came out as gc and was cancelled. Many go to even bigger extremes propagating the trans women men can breastfeed if they want and abortion is gender affirming care bullshit. There are essentially two birth justice/doula camps: the ultra woke and the Christian fundamentalists. I hang with the former and keep my mouth shut. In actual practice, working with midwives and pregnant women clients, we get to speak normally. I’ve never had a problem with that in practice just working with doula organizations/grant and nonprofit stuff we have to do the charade.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Currently feeling a bit feral over the fact that Natalia means Christmas Day - as in the birth of Jesus Christ and Bucks story is so heavily leaning into the birth death and resurrection of Christ - the saviour - as a central part of his narrative arc. Her presence is literally about the birth of buck - as in processing his grief about why he was born - as a saviour baby.

[lila-rae]

After the unexpected labor I experienced this weekend, now more than ever my wish is for every Black birthing person to be in a position where they can work with a doula.

My doula is an absolute rockstar and I probably would be sitting here a lot more traumatized if she wasn’t by my side from the moment I called her until the early hours of the morning after she’d made sure I was okay both physically and mentally and comfortable.

She brought stew and rice she’d made with her so that I would have a hearty meal to sustain me while I labored. She wiped my tears, encouraged me, advocated for me, and laid out all my options when it became clear my birth plan needed to change. She helped my husband (who honestly deserves his own love letter for his support) with new and better ways he could be there for me. But mostly she never let me believe I couldn’t do it even when I wanted to give up.

(Note: This is a stock photo, not me)

[doulayogimama]

Hey everyone!

I’ve come to the end of my LC + PP Doula course and the final requirement is volunteering to help two families who are either about to have a baby or who just had a baby within the last 4 weeks.

If you or anyone you know fits into this criteria and you think they could benefit from Zooming with me to chat about whatever they want (when to breastfeed and why, what thrush looks like, when to reach out to a local LC for lip or tongue tie evaluations and referrals, someone to chat about statistics re: circumcision vaccines etc) I would genuinely love to help them and give any insight I can 🙏🏽

If they happen to be in the Miami / NYC area, I’m also happy to meet up IRL!

Would really appreciate if you could like, reblog this post, and spread the word. I’m offering F R E E counseling to any new parents ☺️🫶🏽

[loveblackculture]

This group that I’m so proud to be a part of is called Speak, Move, Change and we curate two virtual series’ to address the crisis in reproductive health in the United States. As part of our collective work, Speak, Move, Change hosts virtual events during Black Maternal Health Week in April and we curate a week-long virtual series for an initiative that we launched in 2023 called the National Postpartum Awareness Week for BIPOC birthing people. The National Postpartum Awareness Week (PAW) was created by our collective and is designed to heighten awareness for stakeholders around the country so that comprehensive, equitable, trauma and culturally relevant care are provided to BIPOC mothers, birthing people, their babies and partners during the 4th Trimester. We believe that “postpartum is forever” and that everyone deserves to receive care that honors their humanity

[prolifeproliberty]

Hi, I'm 38 weeks pregnant with my first. I'm very healthy, and my pregnancy has been extremely low risk. I'm starting to get nervous, as labor will be any day now. What is your opinion on an epidural? Having something inserted in my spine scares me; I have a high pain tolerance, but the idea of tearing/episiotomy is almost as scary as the epidural. Generally, I'm leaning towards having a natural birth. Any advice would be appreciated ❤️

Hi!

That’s so exciting - you’re almost there! :D

I know many moms who got their epidural and loved it, and I know others who didn’t have such a great experience or had side effects/complications. There’s no easy answer here!

Epidural doesn’t lower your risk of tearing (in fact, sometimes it raises it if you aren’t feeling the urge to push and have to do directed pushing). There are a lot of things you can do with the help of your nurses/midwife to avoid or minimize tearing, like using warm compresses and doing perineal massage (the latter you can start doing now before you go into labor!). It’s becoming much less common for doctors to do episiotomies except in extreme emergency situations, but definitely ask your OB their policy. The research shows that episiotomies do not prevent tearing (in fact, they may increase the risk), so there’s no real reason to do them routinely.

There are a lot of ways to cope with labor pain without an epidural, such as using movement, different labor positions, massage, counter pressure, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, a warm bath/shower, and so on.

If possible, consider getting a doula for your birth. DoulaMatch.net is a good place to start. If you can’t get a doula (or even if you can), it’s a good idea to let the nurses at your birth location know that you are trying to avoid pain medication and need their support with comfort measures. At a recent birth I attended, because the mom came with a birth plan focused on a natural childbirth, they assigned the nurse who is really passionate about natural childbirth to her, and that nurse was awesome, almost like having a second doula!

The two biggest things to remember:

1. Don’t go to the hospital too early! With your first, labor tends to last longer, and without the context of prior births many moms think they are closer to delivery time than they are. When you get into early labor (sporadic contractions that don’t stop you from talking/focusing on other things), try to take your mind off the contractions by taking a nap, eating a good meal (definitely eat a good meal before going to the hospital!), watching TV, taking a walk, or some other activity. Don’t go until it’s really time, or you’ll spend more time than you need to getting poked and prodded by nurses.

2. When you do go to the hospital, remember that women are not designed to labor laying on their backs! Gravity is your friend, as is movement. The two together will help your baby descend and engage in the pelvis. Walking, sitting on a birth ball, slow dancing with baby’s dad, and getting on hands and knees can all help baby move while also reducing the tension in your body. I recommend changing positions every 30 minutes or so (but if a position isn’t working for you, don’t wait!)

A great book to get (probably if you can get quick shipping or find it locally) is The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin. Lots of great info about pain medication options and comfort measures to cope with pain naturally!

[panb1mbo]

the disrespect it is to call a white woman the founder of the doula movement like it’s some new age concept instead of ancestral care work that has been around since before we started claiming white people are at the forefront of birth work movements

[greentea-honeyeyed]

I’m watching an online workshop for potentially becoming a doula! I thought after years of people telling me to become one, maybe I should consider it finally. That was last month, today a doula friend of mine messaged me and said I should become one out of the blue! I think it’s a sign…

[harmonyhealinghub]

Finding her Calling as a Doula Shaina Tranquilino August 6, 2024

Michelle had always known she was meant to help people, but it wasn't until she stumbled upon an article about doulas that her purpose truly crystallized. The idea of supporting women through the transformative experience of childbirth resonated with her deeply. She enrolled in a training program, immersing herself in the world of birth support. After months of preparation, the day finally arrived for her first real birth. The call came at dawn. A woman named Clara was in labor, and her midwife, aware that this would be Michelle's first experience, reassured her that she had full confidence in her abilities. Michelle's heart raced as she grabbed her bag of essentials and rushed to Clara's home.

When she arrived, Clara was pacing the living room, her partner, Jake, by her side. The midwife, Nancy, greeted Michelle with a warm smile and introduced her to the expecting couple. Clara's face was a mixture of pain and determination, and Jake's eyes were filled with a combination of excitement and fear.

"Hi, Clara. Hi, Jake. I'm Michelle, and I'm here to support you through this. Whatever you need, I'm here," she said, her voice as steady as she could make it.

Clara nodded, gripping Michelle's hand tightly as another contraction took hold. Michelle guided her through breathing exercises, her calm presence a balm to Clara's frayed nerves. Time seemed to blur as the contractions came and went. Michelle's world narrowed to the rhythms of Clara's labor, the ebb and flow of her breaths, the strength and vulnerability in her eyes.

As the hours passed, Clara's labor intensified. She moved between different positions, with Michelle and Jake providing constant support. Michelle wiped Clara's brow, whispered words of encouragement, and held her hand through every surge of pain. She marveled at Clara's strength, the primal power of her body bringing new life into the world.

At one point, Michelle found herself alone with Clara in the dimly lit bedroom. Clara's eyes locked onto hers, a silent plea for reassurance.

"You are doing so amazing, Clara. Your body knows exactly what to do. Just trust it," Michelle whispered.

Clara nodded, tears of pain and gratitude mingling on her cheeks. In that moment, Michelle felt a profound connection, not just to Clara, but to all the women who had ever given birth, to the timeless cycle of life.

Finally, the moment came. Clara, with a fierce determination, pushed one last time, and a cry filled the room. The baby, red and wrinkled, emerged into the world, and Michelle's heart swelled with awe. Clara collapsed back onto the pillows, exhausted but radiant, as the midwife placed the baby on her chest.

Michelle watched, tears streaming down her face, as Clara and Jake gazed at their newborn with wonder and love. She knew, in that instant, that this was her calling. To witness such raw beauty, to support and empower women through one of the most profound experiences of their lives—there was nothing else she wanted to do.

As she stepped outside into the cool morning air, Michelle felt a sense of peace and purpose she had never known before. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the world. She took a deep breath, the crisp air filling her lungs, and smiled. She was a doula, and she had found her place in the world.

[elipsi]

instagram has decided that i'm interested in """natural pregnancy influencers""" and let me tell you that shit is wild

[jamesunderwater]

the yellowjackets s2e6 ending -- i was already so triggered just hearing the baby cry because he was starving and just shauna's desperation to feed him, i had to mute parts of it. then when she became conscious again...i... i just wish more people watching that scene understood how real it is. how it happens to birthing people all the time even today, not just in a freezing cabin in the middle of the woods, and how shauna's reaction was.....it was just.....it was very much what happens. she does still hear him crying. idk, i'm just sitting here still crying over it, and i can't stop. because people experience this loss and their brains have to make sense of it and it comes up with something that is as much real to them as the loss is, but no one around them understands, everyone wants to just shove the truth at them because they think it will be better. let her talk about him crying. let her talk about how it felt to feed him, to hold him. tell her you believe her. fuck, i'm just so fucking sad.

[innervoiceartblog]

[denovo4me]

DOULA - At Your Cervix T-Shirt

DOULA - At Your Cervix flowery design.

https://www.zazzle.com/