Why Hire A Doula?
Shared with permission
Mother: Chantel Alexander, Doula: Brittany Lynch from The Doula Tree, Photo: Christina King
Since becoming a Doula I’ve found that people giving birth are in one of 2 camps:
Going with the flow of whatever the medical healthcare system recommends without questioning it
Wanting to do research and educate themselves
If you’re reading this, congratulations, you likely fall into the 2nd category. Whether you heard from a friend or family member about their experience with a Doula, or you have come to learn what we have to offer. This is a great place to start.
There are typically 3 reasons one would hire a Doula, and those are the 3 that I build my services on:
Education
Empowerment
Encouragement
A Doula is someone who compassionately serves those who are going to be experiencing birth (no matter how that might be happening). Unplanned pregnancy, planned pregnancy, surrogacy, Caesarean birth, hospital birth, home birth, birth outside of the medical system, we help them all. We aim to help you understand how birth works physiologically, what choices you have and that you have a right to informed consent, and ultimately help advocate for your preferences during labour. In addition to making sure the person giving birth feels supported, we also help support the partner. We make sure they are eating and drinking, getting rest when/if possible, and give suggestions how they can most effectively help the person giving birth.
One of my favourite quotes that I heard from my mentor (Brittany Lynch) this past year is “Your partner knows you intimately and we know birth intimately, so together we make the perfect team”. That’s the perfect mindset for when you go into the birth space, knowing that you are supported emotionally, physically, and all in a knowledgeable way. That doesn’t come without work though.
If you’re a stats kind of person, here’s some for the difference seen when you hire a doula:
- 15% increase in spontaneous vaginal birth
- 39% decrease in cesarean birth
- 10% decrease in the use of pain medication
- Less likely to have an instrumental assisted birth (forceps or vacuum)
- Shorter labour by average of 40 minutes
- Baby is less likely to have a low apgar score
- More likely to be satisfied with your birthing experience
- Less likely to have postpartum mood disorder
The biggest part to having an empowering birth is education & knowledge. I highly recommend attending a prenatal class. Whether it’s a group prenatal class, or a private one (which we offer here), make sure that you have a basic knowledge of how birth works, and how to cope with labour. From there I highly recommend reading these books (and/or listening to the audiobook):
The Doula’s Guide to Empowering your Birth by Lindsey Bliss
Ina May’s Guide to Child Birth
Holistic Hypnobirthing: Mindful Practices for a Positive Pregnancy and Birth by Anthonissa Moger
Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage by Rachel Reed
The first forty days by Ou, Greeven, & Belger (postpartum)
Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin
Between these books, and having a Doula that you trust, the difference through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is like no other. Sometimes when you don’t have a village, or women that surround you with positive birth stories and education, hiring your village and the knowledge that comes with a Doula is the best course of action.
Doula’s are your doctor Google with the evidenced based information. We are the sounding board if something your Care Provider says confuses you, or doesn’t sit well with you. We are your resource 24/7. Birth Work is my Soul Work, working with women and making sure they feel safe, supported, and encouraged. My calling is to make you feel powerful, loved, and like you can do anything, but also that you feel you can rest and recover.
If you would like more information on the services I offer, and how much they are worth, feel free to check out the Birth Support page here.
Love & Light,
Christina King
