"You're a what??"

 Often times, this is the reaction I get when people ask me if I work outside the home and I answer with, “Yes, I’m a birth doula.” I have also gotten a head nod and an “Oh…okay…”. I think I’ve even received a blank stare. But, most of the time I get, “You’re a what?”

Yes, that’s right. I’m a birth doula. No, I’m not a doctor.  I’m not a midwife. I don’t get to catch the baby (but that would be fun!) I am [simply] a birth doula. 

For the sake of time I copied and pasted what is on my website to tell you exactly what a doula is.

~~Doula is a Greek word meaning "woman servant". A Birth Doula refers to a supportive companion, professionally trained and experienced in childbirth. The Doula's role is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to women and their partners during the prenatal period, during labor and birth. A Doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, massage and positioning. A Doula’s role is to nurture and protect a woman's memory of her birth.~~

Let me answer a couple common questions/comments: 

I'm having an epidural for sure, do I still need a doula?
 I have had 4 out of 8 clients have an epidural. I don't only assist in pain coping (without an epidural). I assist the partner too! I am a go-fer. I am a rational mind in the room. I can explain things to the partner, and my client. I am not a medically trained doctor or nurse so I can't tell them what to do or give them medical advice, but I can say things like, "Lisa, would you like to take a few minutes and discuss it with Jim first?" It gives the client and her partner a chance to get the doctor out of the room and think about their options rather than make a snap decision [that they could regret later]. As a 3rd party I am not on any side. My client, her partner and I have discussed their birth desires before labor and I know their desires. (And yes, they can change in the labor room and I know that.) Also, I don't step in in an emergency.

I have a midwife, do I need a doula?
 If you are in a hospital than yes, a doula is a great asset. In the hospital, the midwives are certified nurse midwives and they are in and out of the room just as much as the nurses are - out more than in.
 I have also been told that nurses really appreciate a doula in the room. They usually have 2 or 3 other patients that they're watching on their shift. They also have tons of paperwork to do. When there is a doula with a patient they are able to not stress as much - knowing they have help when they're not in the room.

I'm not having a home birth. I don't need a doula...

 I don't only do hospital births. I would LOVE to do a home birth. I have done a birth center birth though and I feel like my role was just as important as a birth at the hospital. I am able to stay with my client the entire time. Midwives have to do paperwork. (I do too, but not nearly as in depth.)

I absolutely love being a doula. I attended my first birth in April of 2009 and have attended 7 others since then. Bear with me while I geek out and throw some facts to you :)

Fun Facts about the 8 Births I’ve done:

• The 3^rd birth I attended was on my birthday :)

• Five of them were girls

• I’ve helped one client twice (and can’t wait for her 3^rd)

•  Four clients have been complete strangers who I met through an interview process – Yes, I have to go through the interview process for each potential client.  (Mitch Coleman, thank you! Ag Sales was the death of me, but I learned something! – We did mock interviews all the time. And he always got mad when I told the person who was interviewing me that I wanted to be a stay at home mom…that wasn’t what I was supposed to say. I was supposed to act like I really wanted the job I was ‘applying’ for. Oops!)

•  Four babies came before their due date (10 days early was the earliest)
•  Four babies came later than their due date (3 days late was the latest)
• The average is 1.6 days early

•  No babies were born in the same month. I haven’t done a birth in Feb, March, July or September.

•  Two births were cesarean births

• The longest baby was 21”, the shortest was 19.5” and the average was 20.18”

• The heaviest baby was 9lbs 1oz, the lightest was 4lbs 13oz and the average was 7lbs 4oz  

Geeky enough for you? Anyway, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. 

Thanks for reading!

Simply Sarah