I used a birth doula with my first baby, born at the hospital. She was my Bradley Method teacher (and inspired me to become a Bradley teacher and doula). She helped so much, I just can't imagine what my experience would have been like without her. My husband (who was completely wonderful at the birth) loved having her there. He didn't feel as scared and didn't feel the pressure he would have if we were alone. My labor was fast and furious and Rebecca kept reassuring us where we were on the labor path. She recognized when I was in transition (just 1/2 hour after 5 cm) and when I was pushing and convinced a reluctant and busy nurse to come and check on me. Luckily the dr got paged just in time to catch her. Her cord had been compressed for a few minutes and she needed a lot of help. It was very frightening for both of us (no medical people in the room were saying anything to us). Thankfully Rebecca explained just what was happening and that she would be ok because she heard a nurse say she had a heart beat (she looked very very blue, limp and my first thought was that she was dead). I felt this huge wave of relief because I trusted Rebecca so much. It was so wonderful to have her support. It was great later to talk about our birth with her too.
When I had my second daughter, at home, we couldn't find a doula (Rebecca had moved). But we really felt that Rebecca's influence was still with us. My husband felt very calm, even when I began pushing before our midwife arrived. He knew how to handle everything and felt confident because she had taught us so well. And I felt completely safe and into my labor because I had had such a good experience the first time. My midwife got there just in time, and joked that we didn't really need her.
I didn't experience any PPD with either baby (other than one crying jag!), and I consider myself very lucky with that, but I also think it's because of the wonderful supportive birth experiences I had. That doula support really helped me transition to motherhood.
I advise all pregnant couples to find a doula who is a perfect fit for them. Interview lots. She can make all the difference in the world, no matter what kind of birth you want for your baby.
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I used a birth doula with my first baby, born at the hospital. She was my Bradley Method teacher (and inspired me to become a Bradley teacher and doula). She helped so much, I just can't imagine what my experience would have been like without her. My husband (who was completely wonderful at the birth) loved having her there. He didn't feel as scared and didn't feel the pressure he would have if we were alone. My labor was fast and furious and Rebecca kept reassuring us where we were on the labor path. She recognized when I was in transition (just 1/2 hour after 5 cm) and when I was pushing and convinced a reluctant and busy nurse to come and check on me. Luckily the dr got paged just in time to catch her. Her cord had been compressed for a few minutes and she needed a lot of help. It was very frightening for both of us (no medical people in the room were saying anything to us). Thankfully Rebecca explained just what was happening and that she would be ok because she heard a nurse say she had a heart beat (she looked very very blue, limp and my first thought was that she was dead). I felt this huge wave of relief because I trusted Rebecca so much. It was so wonderful to have her support. It was great later to talk about our birth with her too.
When I had my second daughter, at home, we couldn't find a doula (Rebecca had moved). But we really felt that Rebecca's influence was still with us. My husband felt very calm, even when I began pushing before our midwife arrived. He knew how to handle everything and felt confident because she had taught us so well. And I felt completely safe and into my labor because I had had such a good experience the first time. My midwife got there just in time, and joked that we didn't really need her.
I didn't experience any PPD with either baby (other than one crying jag!), and I consider myself very lucky with that, but I also think it's because of the wonderful supportive birth experiences I had. That doula support really helped me transition to motherhood.
I advise all pregnant couples to find a doula who is a perfect fit for them. Interview lots. She can make all the difference in the world, no matter what kind of birth you want for your baby.
July 17, 2008 - 7:19amThis Comment
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