what does a birth doula do, really?
If you've been researching birth doulas, you've probably read that "doulas provide physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy and childbirth". Amiright?
But what does doula support ACTUALLY look like on the big day (or days...sorry) of birthing?
But what does doula support ACTUALLY look like on the big day (or days...sorry) of birthing?
physical support
I might do things like help you into different labour positions, wipe your brow, apply warm packs to your back, squeeze your hips (trust me, it feels good), remind you to breathe, offer water, massage your back, catch vomit, get you a Popsicle, offer acupressure, walk the halls with you or snap mediocre photos.
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emotional support
I may help your partner feel confident in supporting you, offer words of encouragement, be a shoulder to cry on, offer a gentle hand on your shoulder, be a calming presence, tell jokes (only during the "jokes are still funny" part of labour, of course), listen, offer reassurance or watch Friends with you during early labour.
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information support
I will be there to answer all your questions, hold space so you can make decisions, inform you about possible interventions, help you decide when yo go to the hospital, assure you that everything is normal (or alert you when something might not be), help distinguish between stages of labour and time contractions.
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