As a parent-to-be, you strive to make giving birth as positive of an experience as possible — not just for you but for your baby too! In addition to following the recommendations of your trusted medical team, inviting additional professionals to support you through this journey can truly transform your experience. One such professional is a doula, or a trained birth coach — someone who not only encourages and empowers you with additional advice and resources, but also advocates for your birth-related wishes. They are equipped to provide you with bespoke tips and a more thorough, attentive form of care. Keep reading to learn more about birth coaching and whether hiring a doula is right for you.
What does a doula do?
Much like a mentor, a doula is there to educate you about techniques and provide you with tried and tested advice. They will often help you uncover methods for movement, positioning, breathwork, relaxation, and stress relief that make giving birth easier. While many are considered full-spectrum and specialize in all areas, some focus specifically on certain aspects of your birthing journey such as fertility, birth, or postpartum care. During your pregnancy, you can work together to create the ideal birth plan, including whether you want a natural birth, pain medications, which techniques you would like to use during labor, and how you would like to manage pain and stress.
Benefits of having a doula
Once you have designed your birth plan, a doula can help you advocate for your wishes with your family and medical support staff. This ensures that rather than losing track during the whirlwind of labor, you can be rest assured that your team will stick to your plan as much as possible. Not only can this help reduce anxiety for parents but it can also reduce the length of labor and, in some cases, even decrease the likelihood that additional medical intervention is needed. After the birth, your doula can help you through your healing process and with developing the necessary skills to care for your baby such as bathing, sleeping, diapering, bonding, and breastfeeding. Some doulas are also lactation consultants and can assist you in improving success with breastfeeding too.
Is a birth coach right for you?
The truth is, doulas can, and should, be for everyone! Birth coaches are an excellent resource for any expecting mother who is interested in having additional support. This is often true for single moms in need of an advocate as well as those who are interested in trying an unusual birthing method. For example, hiring a doula can be especially helpful for expecting mothers without a partner or whose partners are unable to attend the birth. They can be an excellent choice for moms who wish to have a natural birth, as it can cause additional stress and discomfort on the body and mind.
Hiring a doula
If you are still unsure, consider asking trusted members of your community about their decision whether or not to hire a birth coach and what experiences those who used one had. It can be really helpful to gain anecdotal information and even to discover an excellent referral! Before you officially hire a birth coach, be sure to verify their certifications and check with your health insurance provider to discuss the costs. Many states, including California help cover the cost!
At Ocean Pediatrics, our mission is to ensure that you and your child have the best possible experience leading up to birth and for countless joyful years to come. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of hiring a doula and whether or not a birthing coach is right for you, please feel free to connect with our expert team to discuss your wishes, explore your needs, and answer any questions that come to mind. To make an appointment, visit us at ocean-pediatrics.com.
