As I studied and learned my desire to encourage women to learn about and have the birth they wanted began to grow.  This evolved into me helping friends; I started assisting in their births.  After doing this for about 5 years I came across the name ‘Doula’.  During some of the births I assisted with the nurses and doctors started referring to me as a doula.  So as I looked into this I began to realize this is what I am doing and not only was I passionate about it but I also was doing a very good job at assisting mothers through the birth process.  A couple of years later a midwife in the area that I live in told me she had started a school to certify doulas.  This seed was planted and with time grew. Finally, after sometime I thought to myself, “Why not get paid to do what I really enjoy so much.”  That is when I first became interested in becoming a doula.  Since then I have started my training and in doing so my desire to educate women so they can have a positive birth experience has increased.

May you please explain the role of a Doula in a birth to those who are not familiar with this term?
The main role of a doula is to be an advocate for the mother, not just a birth assistant, rather someone to take the fear out of the unknown.  Many times during a birth women are given options or even facts that the mother and/or the father do not understand.  A doula’s role is to explain everything, in easy terms, that is being presented and done.  Taking the pressure of the mom to figure everything out on her own: enabling her to do her main job, have a baby.  Of course the parents always have the the final say, but it easier to have it that way when parents are more educated about the birthing process and their choices.  As a Doula it is my job to empower parents to make decisions regarding the amazing miracle of life.

What education is needed to be Doula?
The requirements to become a doula can very from school to school.  Basically you need to have attended a certain amount of births, prenatal exams, and postpartum exams.  There is bookwork and papers that need to be done as well.  Schools help you learn medical terms and things that happen or can take place during a birth.  There are many schools out there, but honestly I prefer one-on-one attention and help.  After looking around I feel one with the most personal touch is Intuitive Doula (www.intuitivedoula.com).  I have been able to attend at my own pace and they work with me so I do not have to pay too much out of pocket.  As far a schools are concerned it really depends on the individual, I just wanted a more personal touch-the kind of touch I want to provide a client with.

What are some memorable experiences you have had as a Doula?
Every birch is memorable.  What I love to think about the most is the uniqueness of every birth.  For example in the latest birth I did I really loved being able to apply what I have learned through my doula school.  This particular client was giving birth to her first child and was experiencing back labor really bad. (In case you who do not know back labor is, it is when a mother has extreme and I mean extreme lower back pain during a contraction.  Not just a contraction but also an extremely painful lower back contraction almost as if nerves are being pinched.  The baby hitting the lower back on its way into the world usually causes this. ) As I was saying, one of the books I had to read for my doula class was about stopping this kind of labor.  I was able to try its technique which really did work.  I would have to say mainly though I really love getting to know people and the special relationship that comes out of assisting a birth.

You are passionate about the natural birth process…where does this passion come from?  There are many misconceptions about the natural birthing process and in particular home births…how do you respond to these as a Doula?
Yes, I am passionate about natural birth.  But more importantly I am passionate about a woman having the birth experience she desires.

Unfortunately our society has made the birth experience a scary ordeal that we must somehow get through to enjoy one of life’s greatest gifts - life.  Our society feeds us through media, doctors, and yes even other people’s horror stories of their own births.  The truth is birth can be scary but with the right education, mindset, and support it can also be one of the most positive, life affirming challenges that a woman can experience.

Let me give you an example.  Most of us drive a car, if we don’t yet, we want to.  Yet getting into a car on a daily basis is and can be dangerous.  But our society has taken the time to make sure every person is trained, educated, and informed before they are even allowed to drive.  (Now I know that there are no requirements to give birth.)  But think back to when you first started driving, how exciting it was, yet almost scary but you had been taught what to do so you knew you would succeed.  That is the same with birth.  With the proper knowledge and good support natural childbirth is not only possible but also most likely.  They have found that with a doula present the cesarean rate goes down by 80%.  A doula helps educate and support a mother so that the risk of medical intervention goes down by 95%.  It is like anything in life if you know what you are getting into it is easier to face the challenge and walk away victorious.

As far as home births… they are preferable, that is if you don’t want any intervention.  Also transitioning after the baby comes is usually easier for those who choose a home birth.  That does not make it necessary to have a natural birth and I believe my role, as a doula is to support whatever a mom wants.  Are there greater risks to home births?... not really usually during your pregnancy your midwife will know if you are at greater risk and therefore homebirth would not be an option if you were high risk.  So if your midwife feels you are safe to birth at home you are and believe me they would not let a mother risk her life or the life of her child.

Article Posted March 27th 2008..Italma

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