41074499•12/06/11
Unexpected Choices: How Having a Doula May Help in Special Circumstances
When I found out I was pregnant in March of 2010, I was so excited! The first thing I knew I needed to do was hire a doula (professional labour support person). I had already done a lot of research at this point and had some idea of what kind of birth I wanted and thought that if I had a doula by my side it would raise my chances of having a smooth birth experience.
Our doula met with us on a monthly basis which helped us further research the things we wanted to know about labour and delivery as well as helped us practise different labour techniques. She also made us feel extremely comfortable with the decisions we had made and we knew that she would support us 100 per cent. Even with all of the education and skills we had gained, we were not prepared for what happened next.
I went into labour five weeks early and I was extremely scared. Our doula helped me and my fiancé feel calm and reassured us we could still have the birth we wanted! She massaged my back during contractions and applied counter pressure on my hips which helped relieve the pain. Unfortunately I did have to make some decisions that were not in my plan, but our doula helped us with making these decisions and made sure we had all the information we needed. I was still able to achieve a drug- free vaginal birth and I feel I owe that to having a doula!
After our son was born we found out he had a cleft in his soft palate. This made breastfeeding (something I was very passionate about) impossible. My doula reassured us that we could still give him what was best for him
by pumping breast milk! She supported me throughout my pumping journey as well as my struggles with Post Postpartum Depression. I struggled a lot with pumping, it was extremely frustrating and saddening to not be able to nurse my child directly. I feel this played a big part in my PPD, but my doula helped greatly with showing me I was doing my best. I am so thankful I decided to hire a doula and am proud to say I accomplished most of my birth plan; and, I am still pumping breast milk for my son a year later!
Having a doula attend our birth and support us throughout labour and delivery as well as postpartum helped me decide to become one myself. I was previously a nursing student; however, I felt this was my calling in life. I believe that every woman deserves to have the birth she wants and deserves! I took my doula training in Calgary in May of 2011 and am so excited to further my career in birth work. I look forward to assisting many different moms- to-be throughout pregnancy and labour. I ultimately would like to become a midwife as I feel there are not enough of them working in Alberta!
Where can you learn more about doulas?
The following is a list of training organizations that currently provides education to doulas in our part of the world. A doula may or may not be certified through one of these organizations. What is important to ask is whether or not she has been trained and when and whether you may speak with some of her
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references. Please note, only doulas that have chosen to maintain certification are available on most organizations reference lists. Do your research as your perfect doula may not be listed online.
ALACE/IWBP -
www.alace.org/ Aviva Institute -
avivainstitute.org/ Birth Arts International -
www.birtharts.com/ Birthing From Within -
www.birthingfromwithin.com/ Birthworks International -
www.birthworks.org/site/ CAPPA -
www.cappacanada.ca/ Childbirth International (CBI) -
www.childbirthinternational.com/ DONA –
www.dona.org ICEA -
www.icea.org/
For a beautiful birth & a warm welcome home.
From Womb to Cradle
Doula Services, Inc.
www.wombtocradle.ca
403.580.9478
KAITLIN YOUNG
From Womb to Cradle Doula Services, Inc.
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