Five babies later, my childbirth days are behind me so I have that 20/20 perspective that only hindsight can offer. I have learned SO much along the way. After my first baby was born by emergency C-section due to poor positioning, I launched into research mode to discover how I could avoid repeat abdominal surgeries. Little did I know, I would go on to have four unmedicated, successful VBACS – and that by the fifth one – I would feel confidant, empowered and fierce. As I poured over books, websites and local resources, all roads seemed to lead to the same place – HIRE A DOULA. It made sense. My husband was NOT going to become an expert birthing coach (and why should he?). Hospital labor and delivery nurses can be awesome – but it is the luck of the draw, there is NO opportunity to build rapport, no coaching beforehand, and no support once your bring baby home. Meanwhile, as I researched, I learned that women who have a doula experience the following benefits: (from dona.org )
So I visited Doulas of Greater St. Louis and read through resumes. I contacted several and found three who had availability in my birth month and seemed to be a good fit. I set up interviews at local coffee shops to interview them. I will never forget when my doula Gail Buzzota walked into Kaldi’s coffee shop. As soon as I met her I knew she was a very special person. She was experienced, nurturing, and had a very peaceful spirit. I hired her and right away she began to coach me for a successful birth experience. Here are the MOST important things that I learned from her.
- Nutrition is incredibly important. You are growing a human after all. It can be so challenging though if you are sick or caring for lots of other little children (as I was in my later pregnancies). I found shortcuts that really helped like plant based shakes and encapsulated powdered produce. I could eat these things daily even if I could otherwise only get down crackers and sprite.
- Exercise is a big deal. It makes all the difference on the birth day. My doula encouraged me to walk and to practice prenatal yoga daily.
- Having a doctor who supports natural childbirth is critical. This can be awkward, but I learned that I needed to ask my doctor a few questions (What is your C-section rate?, Do you perform routine episiotomies? Do you support natural childbirth? What is your policy for working with a doula? Will I be allowed to labor in a tub? Under what circumstances would you not allow me to labor in a tub? What is your policy on monitoring? Will you permit a hep- lock? Will you allow free movement during labor? What positions do you permit for pushing?) I actually had to switch doctors which took a lot of nerve, but everything was so much more positive afterwards because I found a doctor who was truly on the same page as me. This was incredibly empowering.
- Getting the baby into the best position makes for the most comfortable birth. This was the problem with my first baby. He was face up or “sunny side up” and got stuck. My other babies were facing to the side which led to prodromal labor. My doula introduced me to Spinning Babies and I practiced the recommended daily exercises to move the baby into the best position for birth. I even got to attend a Spinning Babies workshop on the due date of my 5th and final baby and help with demonstrations. At this workshop I learned more about using a rebozo and how a technique called the side lying release can help with stalled labor. It was very eye opening for me to learn that such simple techniques can help keep moms out of the operating room.
My doula educated and empowered me. She coached me regarding diet and exercise. When it was go time – she came to my house and helped me to labor for hours until it was time to head to the hospital. She did lots of things to make me more comfortable as I labored. She drew the bath, turned down the lights, had snacks,music and socks. She took pictures of my baby moments after birth so that my husband and I could just focus on new life. She helped me with nursing. Afterwards, she visited me at home to check on me and the newborn. Her nurturing presence and expertise freed up my husband to be there to support me, without having to really know what he was supposed to do. Ultimately, I found the information and support that I needed to welcome my children into the world without repeat surgeries. More than that – I found a forever friend.
**This March, my doula Gail Buzzota will be teaching a workshop called “Benefits of Hiring a Doula”. Contact First Breath Birth and Wellness for more information. **
