Doula

After reading a bit about how a Doula can help during labour, I decided to try to convince Aaron that we should get one. He didn't go for it at first. He was insulted that I was trying to "replace him", even though that was obviously not the case. After talking about it for a bit, he started to see that this could be a good thing... the pressure would be off him having to know how to help me during labour and he could participate as much as he wanted to instead of being responsible for everything.

For those that don't know, a Doula is a certified birth attendant that helps the mom with the pain and endurance of labour. She is not a nurse and doesn't do any sort of medical procedures, she's just there for emotional and physical support. She meets with you a few times during pregnancy to see how things are going and to go over with you what your "ideal" birth would be like, and goes over exercises and positions to practice before labour. Then she comes to your house when labour starts and helps you be comfortable there for as long as possible before going with you to the hospital. She stays with you through the entire birth and leaves about an hour afterwards, after she is sure that feeding is going ok. Then she visits you at home about a week later to see if you have any questions or if you need help with anything. Here are a few interesting facts on Doulas:

When a Doula is present it results in:

• a 25% reduction in the length of labour
• a greater than 50% drop in c-sections
• a 60% drop in the mother's request for an epidural
• a 30% drop in the mother's request for other drugs
• a 40% drop in the use of oxytocin and forceps
• a higher incidence of breast feeding success

After interviewing a few Doulas by email, we met with the one we liked the best and then decided to hire her. She will even take some (tasteful) pictures during labour and then write you up a birth story to give to you at your home visit after the birth!