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It seemed like yesterday that I helped deliver a baby, a beautiful baby girl. It took two long days trying to keep her calm and comfortable, which gave me a whole different perspective on labor and delivery. As a mother of two, I knew what pregnancy, labor and postpartum was from a pregnant woman’s angle; this time I was on the outside looking in. It was harder than I expected to assist a pregnant woman, but nonetheless when I look back, it was the most exciting experience of my life. I was there from her very first cramp to the actual delivery.  I helped her get to the point where they would admit her into the hospital. She originally wanted an unmediated birth, but she was not prepared or trained to deal with each contraction. After this glorious experience I decided I wanted to help other pregnant woman, I would become a labor assisted. After researching the idea, I found out that a labor assisted is a Certified Doula.

First I enrolled in a course, learning what exactly a certified doula does, after certification I looked to Holistic healers, Chiropractic practices and Massage Spas to spread the word to their clients’ enlightening them to positive empowering of a Doula, during their pregnancy.

 In a presentation that I did recently I explained how a doula could make the entire process an empowering experience for both the mother and her partner. I make it very clear that I do not replace their partner nor do I speak to their doctors; I do however give them the facts about induction, the epidural and other “routine” practices that are done at the hospital.

 While an epidural helps the mother to relax and reserve her energy for when the time comes to actually push and deliver her baby, it does have a few negative effects, just as induction has its pros and cons as well. Many Doulas help a mother to focus on a completely medically free birth, that is not my intention. I want the parents; the mother to have the birth experience they desire. We live in a country where induction and cesareans are on the rise and both of these routine practices can have negative effects on the baby, but more so on the mother.

I usually meet with the pregnancy couple during the sixth month, interviewing each other, she want to know about my experience; and I need to know we are compatible, if things work out after a contract is signed, is when I put my knowledge to work.  First thing we work on is a birth plan; which tells her doctors and me exactly what they want and do not want during labor. Then I introduce them to different relaxation techniques to get them through each wave; I discourage the words contraction or pain.

When her waves begin to get very strong, I then go to their home, or meet them at the hospital. I remind them that this is their experience; I am there for moral support, and helping the new family adjust. Once the mother and her baby go home, I meet with her twice, once to see how everyone is doing. Then I come back for my final visit, I check on her and the baby. I ask her about her birth experience and what she enjoyed most, I ask her if there was one thing I could do better as a Doula, what would that be, upon leaving I tell them any question, or situations feel free to call me.

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