Category: Labour Doula

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Labour Doula

Not everyone needs a Doula.

This statement was recently sparked by a family member who made a comment about doulas. “You think everyone should have a doula,” said my cousin-in-law (a fantastic RN in L & D).

Wait!

Do I?

As the Director of a Canadian certification organization for Doulas and Childbirth Educators this statement seems face-value. Director + Doula Canada = everyone should have a doula.

Au contrarie mon amie.

An important tool we set precedent on at Doula Canada is the importance of removing bias. Knowing where our emotional reactions (insert bias) lay is an important discovery into well-rounded and professional “doula support solutions.”

So, here it is. The shocking doula statement du jour….

Not everyone needs a doula.
*insert gasps and dropped jaws*

Could most people benefit from a doula? Absolutely! Science has proven that shiz.

However, benefitting and NEEDING are two very different things.

A person who has a well-prepared partner does not need a doula. Could the partner benefit from the doula? Most likely. It’s all about teamwork!

A person who does not want to consider birthing options or alternatives, does not need a doula (they could benefit from one, but that is a different story birthy friends).

A person who is scheduling a repeat caesarean does not need a doula. They, for the most part, know what to expect. Could they benefit from extra support? Perhaps. Mind meets matter here.

A person who feels confident in their birthing environment and primary care does not necessarily need a doula.

However,

Birth, without a doubt, is the most unpredictable human experience.

A doula may not be needed, but our clients certainly benefit (emotionally, psychologically, and physically – proven by science) from our models of support. It is our non-medical care solutions and our ability to communicate in those moments our clients feel they can benefit from our goal of meeting their needs.

Categories
Labour Doula

I Doula because …

There is something to be said for the passion of a career. That burning desire to jump two feet forward and give it all that you’ve got, without hestitation and compromise.

For a number of years this was my muse. My profession as a career doula has largely been driven by my passion to support others.

I love it… and I have been told that I am good at it (after hundreds of births you hope to have found your doula groove). Thank you for the vote of confidence (talking to you Mom)!

But lately my zany-zest for passionate doulaing has been replaced with a different driver….

Purpose.

In the quiet moments of my day I often ponder…. why do I doula? Is it still passion, or is it something more?

So, here it is, my purpose for why I doula. Perhaps you will connect with some of what I have to share. Perhaps you also ponder why you do this thing you do(ula) . . .

I Doula because . . .
I like to meet other people.

I Doula because . . .
I never wanted a boss, I wanted to command my own ship (it’s a pirate ship – I like to swear).

I Doula because . . .
My daughter. I want to inspire her with the knowledge that you have choices as a strong woman in this world.

I Doula because . . .
I want to fill my life with spontaneity. Thanks birth. You’ve got “randomness” covered.

I Doula because . . .
Postpartum depression is a real thing, and after clearing the fog on my own PPD I realized others may not find the lighthouse.

I Doula so that …
I can be home for my kids when they get off the school bus (most of the time).

I Doula so that . . .
No one has to feel that they have to go through the journey of labour and postpartum transition alone.

I Doula so that . . .
I can save up and skip the yucky winter months by heading to Costa Rica for doula retreats (buh-bye January).

I Doula so that . . .
Our Doula Canada family has another mentor. A person who is hands on and feet forward in the Canadian perinatal world.

There it is. My purpose/s. My driving forces behind being a doula 24/7, 365 days a year. Living this Doula Life.

Passion + Purpose = Potential.

We would love to hear from you! What is your Doula purpose?

Comment below or email info@doulatraining.ca.

Curious about the exciting opportunities available through Doula Canada? Check out www.doulatraining.ca

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Labour Doula Members

A Comfort Measure & Traditional tool: The Rebozo

Kelly a student of Doula Canada and owner of Blossom Doula Services has a passion for supporting the labouring person. She wanted to share one of the many tools in her toolbox. Here is her take on using a traditional Mexican rebozo in labour and birth.

Picture

http://www.loheerebozo.com/birth-tool
Labour and Birth doulas are always trying to find different ways to help support a person in labour. A Rebozo is a great tool for a labouring person, the best part is that it can be used prenatally and in the postpartum period.What is a Rebozo?
​
A Rebozo is a woven piece of fabric used by Mexican women as a shawl, a baby carrier , and a comfort and positioning tool for pregnancy and childbirth.

It is generally long enough to wrap around a person’s body. It can be used with the help of your support people/person in labour, as not only a comfort measure but also it can help baby move into an optimal position. After baby is born it can then be used as a baby carrier.

​A Rebozo can be used between contractions during early labour, and early active labour.

While there are multiple different techniques used out there, some of the more common uses of a Rebozo during pregnancy and labour are listed below;

  • Sifting the belly
  • Supported squats
  • Abdominal lift
  • Hip squeezes
  • Rebozo used on a birth ball
  • Used with hot/cold packs
  • Used while pushing
  • Postpartum as a carrier for baby

A doula could help you with some of these techniques, and it would be optimal to discuss the uses and even try them out before baby comes! When trying out a Rebozo for the first time you should always use caution and use your resources to learn how to preform the techniques properly and always be aware of how the mom is feeling throughout. After a few demonstrations it will be easy for you and your partner to catch on.

​​During your third trimester you may find the “abdominal lift” very comforting to help lift the belly up, this could ease any back troubles you are having. Hot and cold packs are great during pregnancy and labour and the Rebozo can help keep them in place. A Rebozo can also help the partner and or the doula help hold positions for longer, (it may be easier than solely using your hands) which is beneficial for everyone.

Picture

http://www.loheerebozo.com/birth-tool
A Rebozo is a great option to help you relax during your pregnancy, labour, and delivery. As a Doula it is a great tool to add to your toolbox. Do your research, honour the tradition and find a tool that works for you.
Kelly became a doula because she is passionate about strong women, their families and welcoming those beautiful bundles of joy into the world with positivity and encouragement.
Her career in sonography led her to expand her education into the doula world, and how she could work more in depth with expecting mothers and their partners.
Kelly Elliott, Labour and Birth Doula Blossom Doula Services www.blossomdoulaservices.com
Categories
Comfort Techniques

Doula Little Dance…​ENCOURAGING COMFORT THROUGH MOVEMENT

Shaunacy King, BD, CBE & Director for Doula Training Canada

 

One of the my earliest Doula memories is from taking the Dancing for Birth program with the fantabulous Stephanie Larson.  In her program she discussed how elephant mothers do not lie on their back, with their feet in the air, awaiting the birth of their elebabies.

Over time I have taken this image with me and used to ask…

Have you ever seen a dog in labour, lying on its back with its legs straight up in the air?  No!  How about a cat?  A horse? A cow? Ok, ok…. how about any mammal?

The answer is a definitive NO WAY!

What is with the history and expectation that human women should labour and birth while lying down?  Blasphemy I say!

Nature dictates that it is most comfortable for animals (including human animals) to labour standing up, so that gravity and motion can work to facilitate progression and comfort.

Comfort?!  How is that possible you might ask.  Well, there is comfort in knowing that you are in control of your body.  That if you use motion and gravity to open the hips and bring the baby down that this experience (ahem, the fun of labour) could be over more quickly.

Paulina Perez in “The Nurturing Touch at Birth” states it perfectly when she write “changing positions frequently is a very important labour support technique.  Changing positions frequently and using positions such as standing, walking, and hands-and-knees stimulates the joint receptors, which are large receptors that adapt slowly but are also slow to habituate.  Usually the mother changes positions spontaneously,”  (pg. 100).  In other words…. SCIENCE tells us that moving around isn’t just a comfort technique, but that it is necessary.

Encourage your clients to get their birth bottoms shaking, moving and grooving.  And if none of those ideas seem to resonate here are some other suggestions:

Walking
Standing
Stair climbing
Sitting
Leaning
Side-lying
Squatting
Hands and knees

Categories
Labour Doula

Just a Doula. 

 

 – By Michelle Stroud –
​
I have a long history of working with prenatal women with my maternity reflexology practice. For a long time I hesitated to take doula training even though I knew I would always work with pregnant and birthing women. Why? Because I often wondered if being a doula would be enough to satisfy my strong desire to work with birthing women. I am extremely passionate about pregnancy and birth. I want to be able to help women as much as possible and the thought of squeezing hips and wiping brows left me feeling like I might not be fulfilled in my pursuit to contribute to beautiful birth experiences with my clients.Would this be a stepping stone into midwifery for me? I was not sure. Now I fully understand how
significant and important our role is. It is so much more than I originally thought.

As a doula we are often the first go to person when a client has small concerns. I find my moms will text me with questions and I like being in that role. I take much fewer clients than midwives do every month and much, much fewer clients with Obstetricians. I really enjoy the intimate relationship that I build with my clients.

We are not regulated and that has some major advantages. We get to dodge the radar and avoid the politics for the most part. As long as we are well intended and staying within our scope of practice, no one besides our clients really tells us what to do. That makes a doula practice very woman centered, which is nice. I am free to create my doula business and within reason, do with it what I want.

Midwives, Nurses, Obstetricians all have paperwork to take care over, insurance companies to answer to, a ridiculous amount of documentation to keep (even throughout the duration of labour) where I can focus completely on my client and her needs. I am frequently asked “If I have a midwife, do I need a doula?” Absolutely! I can free your midwife to take care of essential clinical tasks, if counter pressure is working for you, I don’t have to stop doing it to take your blood pressure or listen to your baby’s heart rate. Doulas and midwives work really well together.

Birth is safest and easiest for mom when it is really hands off. The fewer interventions from the start, the better the outcomes are statistically. As a doula, I am not trained to intervene anyway. So in birth’s purest form, I am able to be witness to one of life’s greatest miracles. I get to be a teacher, a servant and a coach and hold space for mom to have the best birth she can have.

I love the freedom and intimacy of being a doula.

Categories
Labour Doula Loss

A moment of pause: a doulas memory of loss

Being a birth worker is such rewarding work.  Unfortunately we live in reality where every birth is not a joyous, momentous celebratory event.  There are down sides to being a birth worker, emotionally connected to the clients we serve.  And today I’m going to touch on one of the real sides of being a birth doula.

I’m not very good with knowing the date.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’m usually working on things in my calendar that are days or weeks ahead, or if being self employed just means I’m not looking at the calendar in the same way I did when I went to an office job each day, but regardless, I very rarely know what TODAY is unless I look it up.  This means sometimes I miss important dates unintentionally (sorry Mom!!).  And when you have attended many births over the course of time, it does become pretty hard to remember all the dates of birth for your clients, no matter how much you would like to.  Especially in instances where the birth is longer, spanning one or more days.  But I digress……

Sometimes, regardless of knowing the actual date, I have a nagging feeling that “today” is significant.  A date forever etched in my mind.  Last week was one of those times.

Four years ago I supported a couple through the birth of their child.  Only the birth was also the death.  There wasn’t a rhyme or reason.  One day things were going great and the next day my client was not feeling movements, went to the doctor and it was confirmed that at 36 weeks gestation their child had passed away.

Its not easy to be a doula all the time, but especially under tragic circumstances.  Supporting a healthy mom, who wanted to have an unmedicated birth and watching her go through the painful experience of an induced birth knowing that at the end she would not be able to take her baby home with her, instead she would be planning a funeral once he was born.  Sitting alongside her amazing partner through the long process, both of us talking to her about the benefits of using medical interventions in this situation, even knowing that her birth plan didn’t include these options because of the potential risks to babe, but since babe was not at risk…………what interventions were best for her to get through this ordeal?  Remembering that a fetal heart monitor wasn’t being used because there wasn’t a fetal heart rate to monitor.  Navigating with family members who were also grieving and wanted to be with their daughter (sister, niece…).

That day will forever be etched in my mind and on my heart.  I tried my best to be strong for that couple, but their strength surpassed us all and I learned so much from them through the experience.  I grew, learned and changed that day.  And no matter how emotional and difficult, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  The one thing about being a doula is that it is a career of love and passion.  It’s a heart-centered service.  And whether that results only in supporting a couple through life, or periodically means supporting them through death, the support is given through the love you build for your clients.

I had the pleasure of working with these clients again.  And helping them greet their daughter into this world.  That bright beautiful being just turned 3 and brings them so much joy.  But their son will always be a shining reminder of strength we all hold within.

I love being an instructor and helping others fulfill their dreams of working with people through birth or postpartum, but I know that sometimes as an instructor I forget to share the full picture of what this work means.  The quiet side of the role we sometimes are required to play when we support a loss instead of a birth.  But it’s important we talk about this side of our work too!  It’s not always joy and celebration.

But it is always rewarding.

Tanya