5 Reasons You Need a Doula at a Birth Center
So many folks I connect with share the same story that I thought it was worth it being my first blog post.
Here is the story: “I got pregnant and knew I did not want to be in a hospital so I found the amazing birth center. At first I didn’t think I needed a doula because I was in a birth center and had a midwife, but we have heard from the team and others that it may be helpful to having a doula with us. We’d love to learn more about you.”
So if you’re asking yourself “do I need a doula for a birth center birth?”
Let me share with you 5 reasons why you should have a doula at your birth center birth:
Doulas provide support IN YOUR HOME. I can’t speak for the entire country, however, in the Chicagoland area where I am practicing the midwives at the birth centers are focused on care at the birth center (this totally makes sense), however, it can be extremely helpful to have a doula with a vast knowledge of supporting folks through their labor to come into your home. Doulas will come prenatally for a visit and help you to navigate through the birth preparation. Additionally, doulas help you to navigate the early stages of labor at home. Many doulas will support you at home before the time comes to transfer to the birth center, they will help you (and your partner) identify when might be the best time to move, to rest, to connect with your midwife, and ultimately the best time to leave the house. Doulas will visit you at home after the baby arrives and help with breastfeeding and early postpartum care questions or concerns.
Doulas are an expert in supporting unmedicated births. For the most part our partners know us from the inside out, we know them on an intimate level and they know us in that way too. We expect a lot from our partners, but (and this is a big BUT here) how can we expect our partners to know what to do, say or think during the birth when they have little to no experience themselves, this is unrealistic. A partner is witnessing their loved one in a time of excitement, joy, and the build up of the last 9 months but with that may also come discomfort, anxiety, and potentially fear. When we see our loved ones having a difficult time fixing tends to be the first desire of the partner, and in this instance that may not be an option until the baby comes out. What we need is an expert in bringing calmness, comfort, tools, and awareness of the birthing process to bring normalcy to both the birther and the partner.
We want our partners to be set up for success in supporting us through one of the most momentous times of our lives, and a way they can be the best support person in the birth is to have an expert in the room. (If your partner has witnessed and supported you through a significant number of births (more than 5) then perhaps you can skip this one however every birth is different and you never know what to expect). Doulas understand the eb and flow of birth, they know how to help you breath when you feel like you can’t breath anymore, they know the right place to put pressure on your body or massage your back, and they know how to bring the partner into the birth as an active participant to boost the oxytocin in the room. And when it comes to change in labor most birthers are going to listen to the instruction of a doula who has years of experience supporting unmedicated births vs a partner who has a nice base knowledge of birth but little to no hands-on practical experience.
Now I don’t want to speak for all doulas in this category as some have a primary focus in epidural or cesarean births, but for those who have an expertise in unmedicated births this is where we shine.
Doulas provide continuous support. The emotional and physical support in the birth space is continuous through the entire labor. There are many overlaps and differences between midwives and doulas (this will be a blog post soon) but one major difference is when a doula is with you, they are supporting you in the room continuously. Doulas will work through every contraction with you, squeeze your hips as you need it, help you to emotionally open up to the phase of labor you are experiencing, doulas will analyze the room and assess if you or your partner need water or nourishment, doulas stay with you. Midwives are amazing, and at the the birth centers here they are top notch, however they are working sometimes with several clients at once, they are focused on the medical care of you are your baby and at times step out to ensure they are well rested, nourished, and replenished to be fully focused when its time to witness the birth of a new baby and make certain you will receive the best medical care you deserve.
Doulas will transfer with you. If for some reason a transfer is needed during the birth experience your doula is going to transfer with you. They have expertise in communicating with medical staff and will support you by navigating the hospital environment ensuring you are aware of what is happening and helping you advocate for your birth preferences. Doulas typically follow behind an ambulance, meet at the hospital, and after the midwife leaves will stay until the birth of the baby. Midwives will help transfer over medical records, ensure the health and safety of the birther and baby are cared for properly.
Doulas are the final piece to the birth team. An experienced birth center doula will grow a close relationship with you throughout your relationship through check ins and prenatal visits, making you feel comfortable and confident in the guidance and trust you build together. The doula also builds a relationship with the birth center team, gaining trust and awareness of how the doula supports clients during births. Prenatal care with the midwife team is also intimate and personalized for the birther throughout their pregnancy. With the doula as the final piece, who has solid relationships with both you and the medical team and the tools to help you and your partner, you can experience a calm and confident birth knowing you will be fully supported and cared for in both your medical and non-medical needs.
This is me supporting a client during active labor in the birth tub along side the partner and midwife
The only two freestanding birth centers in Chicagoland at this time are Birth Center of Chicago and Burr Ridge Birth Center. Check them out using the links attached to their names.
