Your memories of labor will stay with you for the rest of your life. In particular, you will remember whether you felt loved and cherished, or the opposite. This type of emotional support is provided best by those you are closest to. As a secondary support person, I am available to provide transparent, unbiased wisdom and advice about progressing through labor so that together you can flow with changes and work to relieve stress in such a way that will only enhance the connection that is taking place between you and your birth partner, not replace it.
Here are some of the benefits a labor professional will provide a birth partner:
- Accessible Resource
You are probably thinking, "Don't childbirth preparation classes teach my partner how to do labor support?" Although I strongly recommend taking childbirth preparation classes, when actual labor comes, many find it difficult to recall all they have learned. As a doula, I provide easy access to these resources so you and your partner don't forget key points that will be needed during birth.
- Support for the Father (or other birth partner)
Fathers need nurturing and care during this major life transition too. During long labors, if dad needs to take a moment to grab a drink or a small break to rejuvenate, as your doula, I will stay with mom so she is never left alone. - Be prepared if more is needed.
During intense periods of labor, more than one constant set of hands may be needed to help mom transition and relax. - Experience
Personal womanly experience is something a doula provides and passes on to a laboring mom that can't be provided by male birth partners. Knowing that I have personally walked through the same transitions the laboring mom is experiencing, her partner can relax knowing that the wisdom and suggestions given to him are effective and the mom will be able to complete the birth process with his help.
An Analogy For The Father
A birth partner's role during labor is similar in comparison to the role an NFL coach would play in the Super Bowl; the biggest and most important game in an NFL coach's career. From a birth partner's perspective, labor and delivery is one of the most important "games" of his and his partner's life.
When navigated alone, the birth process can be consuming and confusing. In a short amount of time, a birth partner is unfairly expected to know every aspect of labor and delivery. Being the "head coach" in the labor room without continual support, would be like sending an NFL head coach to a Super Bowl game without his assistant coaches. Take dallas cowboy's head coach, Jason Garrett, for example. He has constant support from more than 17 offensive, defensive and specialty assistant coaches that help him to know details about every position on his team and the challenging team. Having a doula on your labor team is equivalent to having the constant support you need for your 'big game'. Your doula will be available through the entire process to offer you recommendations on the offensive (how to help labor progress so it is shorter for mom and baby), the defensive (how to help avoid as many side effects and complications as possible) and specialty information (such as positioning to help mom be more comfortable based on the type of pain she may be experiencing). All of this information provides the birth partner (aka. head labor coach) with the ability to bond more with the mom, baby and birth experience while also providing comfort and giving the and the baby the best labor experience possible.