Cassandra Forsythe

For my recent pregnancy, I had made the decision to hire a doula, and she was very important and helpful through my entire baby-growing journey. There was a time when I didn't know what a doula was, or why I needed one, so I'll explain that to you here:

Definition:

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

While I was pregnant, I did a LOT of reading and learning about the unnecessary interventions that some women experience while birthing their babies. Things like unwarranted c-sections, forced epidurals, and suctioning. A lot of these interventions depend on the hospital you birth at (or place you birth at) and the doctors involved. These interventions were not what I wanted for my baby if they weren't needed and I was worried that while in the process of labor, I wouldn't be able to resist them if they were forced on me.

Now, please hear me out: I do understand there are many situations where a c-section or epidural are necessary. For example, just a few weeks ago, my good friend had to have both and they were needed. In her case, her water broke earlier than it was supposed to while she was trying to go to the bathroom. The doctors let her wait 12 hours to see if she would start the process of labor on her own, but nothing happened, so they induced her with pitocin. This drug, pitocin, brings contractions on, but they're MUCH worse than any unmedicated labor contractions. My friend had to deal with these harsh contractions for 8 hours with NO dilation happening what-so-ever, and finally gave into an epidural (I'd probably do the same). After another 6 hours, she still didn't dilate AT ALL, so the doctors felt it was safest to bring the baby into the world via c-section. Through all of this, she had gone more than 24 hours since her water broke and by then it can be dangerous for the baby, so in her case, this was the best option.

So, to protect my rights, I felt a doula was the best advocate for me. You see, I don't have any family, other than my husband's around me here in CT. All my family is in Northern British Columbia Canada, and so, I didn't have the luxury of my mother or sister being here to stand with me when labor decided to happen. On my husband's side, his mother passed away from cancer 8 years ago, and his sister, although wonderful, was younger and had not had any children yet.

Thus, the doula was also for me to have another female companion there with me when I would normally just have my husband.

Overall, my choice of a doula was a great one. Deby was my doula and I found her through Birth Partners of Connecticut. Deby helped answer questions of mine during the pregnancy and just listened to me when I needed someone to talk to. Then, during my labor, she was the one I woke up at 4am in the morning to figure out if I was actually in labor or not (I still feel badly about calling her at such an early hour). She talked me through the process and was there in a flash when I finally made my way over the hospital.

Since my labor was so fast, I didn't have the pleasure of her helping me find comfortable positions to labor in, or breath comfortably when the pain got intense. Normally, a doula would be there to help a woman get through the long stages of labor, but in Deby's case, there was no time for that since my baby was sprinting out of me faster than I could've imagined.

After the birth, Deby stayed with me in the hospital for several hours. She helped me with breast-feeding, which went very well, and still is. And, she gave my husband a break to leave the room with his family (Dad and sister) afterwards for breakfast while Baby and I rested and relaxed with Deby (I had baby at 8am in the morning after a labor that started at midnight).

Post-partum, Deby has been there to help me figure out what to do with a bout of diaper rash baby April experienced, and enforced me to sit still once I had re-tore my stitches a few days after the delivery. She's also answered other nagging questions when I needed it.

In my opinion, having Deby there as my doula was an invaluable opportunity. If you're a woman who is looking for someone well-experienced in the process of labor and delivery to support you and knows what to do in every situation, a doula is an excellent option. You can find a doula in your area online or in the phone directory. Interview her to make sure she's the right fit for you, and ask for references if you deem it necessary.

With Deby, I felt comfortable with her from day one. AND, she had also been there in the labor of another boot camp instructor, so she knew how crazy us fitness ladies really were.

Doulas are great! Thank you Deby!

Posted Apr 27, 2010 by Cassandra Forsythe.
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