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DADS AND DOULAS: KEY PLAYERS ON MOTHER’S SUPPORT TEAMArticle written by Doula's of North America (DONA International)

4/19/2017

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There was a time when expectant fathers were portrayed as anxious, floor-pacing, cigar smoking men who were tolerated in hospital corridors until the long-awaited moment when a nurse or doctor would announce they were the proud father of a daughter or a son. Today’s expectant fathers are different.

When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting, today’s father may want to share everything with his partner. He may want to be actively involved; ease his partner’s labor pain, welcome his baby at the moment of birth and help care for his newborn at home. A birth doula can help a father experience this special time with confidence.

Studies show that when doulas are present at birth, women have shorter labors, fewer medical interventions, fewer cesareans and healthier babies. Recent evidence also suggests that when a doula provides labor support, women are more satisfied with their experience and the mother-infant interaction is enhanced as long as two months after the birth. With doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather than pull away in times of stress.

Today, a father’s participation in birth preparation classes or his presence at prenatal visits and in the birth suite is a familiar occurrence. Yet, we sometimes forget that the expectations of his role as a labor coach may be difficult to fulfill. Sometimes it is also culturally inappropriate for an expectant father to be so intimately involved in the process of labor and birth.

The father-to-be is expected, among other things, to become familiar with the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and hospital protocols and to advocate for his partner in an environment and culture he may be unfamiliar with. A doula can provide the information to help parents make appropriate decisions and facilitate communication between the birthing woman, her partner and medical care providers.

At times a father may not understand a woman’s instinctive behavior during birth and may react anxiously to what a doula knows to be the normal process of birth. He may witness his partner in pain and understandably become distressed. The doula can be reassuring and skillfully help the mother to cope with labor pain in her unique way. The father-to-be may be asked to accompany his partner during surgery should a cesarean become necessary. Not all fathers can realistically be expected to coach at this intense level.

Many fathers are eager to be involved during labor and birth. Others, no less loving or committed to their partners’ well being, find it difficult to navigate in uncharted waters. With a doula, a father can share in the birth at level at which he feels most comfortable. The doula’s skills and knowledge can help him to feel more relaxed. If the father wants to provide physical comfort, such as back massage and change of positions, and help his partner to stay focused during contractions, the doula can provide that guidance and make suggestions for what may work best.

Physicians, midwives and nurses are responsible for monitoring labor, assessing the medical condition of the mother and baby and treating complications when they arise; but birth is also an emotional and spiritual experience with long-term impact on a woman’s personal well being. A doula is constantly aware that the mother and her partner will remember this experience throughout their lives. By mothering the mother during birth, the doula supports the parents in having a positive and memorable birth experience.

The benefits of doula care have been recognized worldwide. The Medical Leadership Council of Washington, D.C, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the World Health Organization are among the many healthcare organizations that value the benefits that doulas provide to women in labor.

The father’s presence and loving support in birth is comforting and reassuring. The love he shares with the mother and his child and his need to nurture and protect his family are priceless gifts that only he can provide. With her partner and a doula at birth, a mother can have the best of both worlds – her partner’s loving care and attention and the doula’s expertise and guidance in birth.
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What is a Doula and why should I hire one?

12/3/2016

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'Doula' is a Greek term for 'female/woman servant', which was appropriated millinea ago to describe the women who lend themselves to serve birthing mothers. Doula’s have also been referred to in terms like; birth coach, labor coach, labor companion, part of the support team, labor support, labor support professional and sisterfriend, among many others. There are many reasons for hiring a doula, but I’m just going to explore a couple of the reasons: the support they provide, and their knowledge and training to prepare mom and dad prenatally, in childbirth and beyond. If you ask me, a mom of three, the next reason is enough to investigate a labor companion further-the presence of a doula tends to, like magic, make birth easier.   What is this magic that labor support professionals seem to bring to improve outcomes for moms and babies?


   A doula "mothers the mother." She offers continuous support for the laboring mother. After attending so many births, these coaches have deep wisdom, comfort and encouragement to offer and they serve as liaisons between the doctors, nurses and your partner during the process. They serve as educators, advocates and cheerleaders for the laboring mother while keeping the family calm.  A doula is trained in the birth process and in how to help alleviate extra stress of the unknown.  Penny Simkin, a famous doula and co-founder of DONA International, writes in her book, The Birth Partner that when you replace knowledge with fear, pain diminishes.  This is one of the main roles of the doula; however the doula also provides continuous physical, emotional and spiritual support before, during and after childbirth. 


   The doula can coach the laboring mom in breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. She also assists families in gathering information about the course of their labor. Labor support usually includes prenatal and postpartum meetings or home visits, 24-hour on-call support, massage and counter-pressure during labor and help with positioning for the mother’s comfort. Not to mention photos of your baby immediately after birth!
    Birth coaches help facilitate an easier birth. According to Mothering the Mother, by Marshall Klaus, John Kennell and Phyllis Klaus, studies have shown that the physiological effects of continual support during labor reduces:
  • chances of needing a c-section by 51%
  • length of labor by 25%
  • use of analgesia by 35%
  • Pitocin augmentation by 40%
  • epidural anesthesia use by 60%
  • use of forceps and vacuum by 30%
Moms who work with doulas report greater satisfaction with childbirth, fewer incidences of postpartum depression, increased self-esteem, better mother-infant interaction and improved breastfeeding success. A birth coach will stay with you during your labor until your baby is about an hour or two old, in addition to a few prenatal visits and one postnatal visit.  Most labor support coaches charge between $500 and $2,000, depending on experience and certification. You can get labor coach recommendations at birth centers, ob-gyn offices, yoga studio community boards and via DONA International.  
DONA has more than 6,000 members and is one of the most well respected networks of doula’s available.  Find the doula that is right for you.  You don’t have to pick the first one you meet with.  Ask many questions, especially about her philosophy on birth and support women and their partners through birth.
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What Is HypnoBirthing?

10/2/2013

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Hypnobirthing is a form of hypnotherapy designed to ease pain and make the birthing process easier and more natural. Women don't take drugs but instead are encouraged and guided through the birthing process by an expert hypnotherapist.

Hypnotherapy is a way to influence your health and well being through the power of suggestion. This can be in a variety of forms and for a variety of reasons. Basically it helps block pain receptors and puts the patient in a more calm, receptive and Zen-like state of mind. Hypnobirthing lets the mother's body relax, lets nature more or less take over and do what human beings have done for thousands of years without drugs or C-sections.

Marie Mongan (and MEd and MHy, a hypnotherapist and hypnoanesthesiologist) is the founder of HypnoBirthing, a process she developed now called the "Mongan Method". Dr. Mongan says that we've convinced ourselves that labor is risky, and because of fear we tense up, which causes all sorts of bad things to happen. 

When we're in fear, our fight or flight reflex is activated. This sends stress hormones through the body (these are called catecholamines). These hormones are good when we're truly in danger for our lives but not during the birthing process. They make digestion slow down, the heart rate speed up and cause blood to flow to the arms and legs, preparing us to run or do battle with an enemy. This is bad because ultimately that blood isn't in the uterus where it's needed, which leads to uterine pain and really throws a monkey wrench into the whole labor process.

The HypnoBirthing process soothes the woman in labor. It's all about relaxation; rather than the hormones created by fear we get different chemicals like oxytocin, prostaglandins and endorphins. These awesome hormones combine to give a feeling of ultimate relaxation which is sorely needed during labor. Not only do they relax muscles but they give the woman an overall feeling of comfort and safety.

The Mongan method involves breathing and visualization techniques as well as soothing audio. Training sessions happen well before the delivery of the baby where affirmations like "I relax and my baby relaxes" are a repeated mantra. Each session the woman can get into a deeper and deeper relaxation, making it easier to get into that state once labor happens.

Contrary to traditional birthing where nurses encourage people to keep pushing, HypnoBirthing is about the mother going with the flow of her body. After all, pushing can cause a tear. With HypnoBirthing much of the time the mother can feel the contractions but they "go with", eading to shorter contractions.

Many mothers that go through labor in this way say they would do so again, that it is the best way to do it. It's not easy, and it's not for everyone, but we (and many mothers) feel that it's one of the most natural and best things you can do for your baby.

Here is one such testimonial: 

"This was by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," says Wall, who admits she did feel intense pain during childbirth, though it was not sharp. "But my experience was perfect. People see my son at the grocery store and say what a peaceful baby he is, and I feel HypnoBirthing contributed that to him." [Full Story]

Check out the rest of our site, read the testimonials and if you're interested please contact us! Thanks for reading!

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