Doula

Stacey asked about our doula. What do they do, why do we need one, does everyone need one, etc.

Hm. Doulas are awesome. They provide support during labor. Ideas. Suggestions. Encouragement. During my labor with D, I was having tons of back labor (ouchie). Our doula suggested that we try lunges followed by the use of a rebozo (you can Google that if you want, but it's basically a big piece of fabric that is wrapped around mom and kind of wiggled to help the baby change positions). Anyway, 5 minutes later (well, okay, so the serious work came in with the doula trying to talk me into getting out of the bathtub to try these things), my labor had moved around the to the front, and within 20 minutes, I was pushing. Pretty great.

So, that's kind of a snapshot of what doulas do. They aren't medical people. They are support people.

Whether or not any particular person needs one is kind of up to what that person wants or needs during labor. I wanted a natural, med-free birth. With my first baby, I went into the hospital thinking that if I just did what I was told, it would all turn out well. But, well, it didn't. With my second baby, I had a doula. And I had a natural birth. And it was awesome.

I don't know, but I think a doula would also be great in any kind of situation where Dad needs to go with Baby, so Mom won't be left alone. Or if Dad can't be there, for whatever reason. Or just to give Dad a chance to hit the bathroom without Mom feeling abandoned.

One of my very favorite things about having a doula is what it says. You don't have to pause in the middle of a contraction to tell every nurse and doctor what you want, or expect them to read your birth plan (though you hope they do). A doula's presence (though not her mouth, because she can't speak for you) says that you want a less medically-managed birth.

Here are the stats doulas offer:
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in oxytocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery

So, what kind of frugal person pays for a doula? Well, the kind of person who realizes how much cheaper a doula is than an epidural or c-section.

To address Stacey in particular, does someone having their 6th baby need a doula? Only if you want one. But, to me, it's right up there with the car seat in the necessity category.

As to why someone might want a natural birth (though you don't need to want that to benefit from a doula), well, that's an entirely different topic.