Purpose and Value of Labor Support - Slightly Revised

 

Undoubtedly, women deserve access to and benefit from continuous labor support. No matter at what point a doula or labor support professional accompanies a woman in labor, her presence alone, can bring calmness, confidence, and normalness to the labor process.  The doula’s specific set of skills and experience balance the mom’s worries and concerns of labor’s unknowns, helping her maintain a sense of control throughout the process allowing her to trust in her baby's and body's inherent wisdom of birth. 

The health and safety of mom and baby are among the doula’s top priorities. Being able to identify when and where mom is in the labor process, understanding the needs of each individual laboring woman during each of the stages of the labor process, helping mom labor in ways that feel natural to her, and keeping her well informed empowers mom to follow her instincts, keep perspective, and advocate for herself. When women receive continuous support and make decisions about the course of labor that are evidence based, women need less medications and interventions. Healthier outcomes for both moms and babies usually tend to follow. 
  

I’ve found great importance in supporting the laboring mother’s partner as well, and encouraging his/her involvement in the labor process. The doula’s experience with labor and understanding of mom’s needs, pair beautifully with partners and the rest of the birth team. Women who feel connected to their partners during labor, who feel they are seen in a positive and beautiful way, seem happier and more relaxed, they remember their births in a more positive light. When love is in the air, more Oxytocin is released in the brain which we all know encourages labor progression!  

Doulas tend to mom with kind emotional and physical support, medical advocacy, and celebration in the abundance of love and joy that comes with birth and becoming a parent. Most doulas provide some postpartum care, when needed connect her to helpful resources, and encourage mom to reach out and surround herself with loving, helpful family, friends, and mommies groups. 

My experience has shown me the immense gratitude women and families have for the doula’s presence and help in achieving their goals. Commonly, I hear the phrases, “I couldn’t have done it without you!”  Or, “I couldn’t have imagined what it would have been like without you!” Truth be told, there is no replacement for a doula. Just like dad, partner, mom, or friend, just like the health care provider and her assistants, the doula has a special place before, during, and following labor. Those of us who have labored with a doula, (myself included), we have found value in: her expertise, the anticipation of, and ability to tend to mom’s needs, the ability to remain calm and objective, her kind, loving nature, and her ability to keep us informed, in the moment, feeling safe, secure, and confidently achieving our goals of positive birth experiences and healthier birth outcomes.