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John & Doris
We joined parent profiles.com in June 2004 and on Dec. 11 of the same year a birthmother contacted us. She also lived in MD and since the holidays were fast approaching and we were going to go out of town we agreed to meet on January 2. The meeting went well and after one more e-mail she asked us to be the adoptive parents of her baby and she asked me (the adoptive mother) if more ...
Doulas
A doula is a woman who is experienced in childbirth and provides a number of things to the mother in labor. She provides knowledge, both physical and emotional support and will provide her with the support she needs just after birth as well. The doula will stay by the mother's side throughout the entire birthing process providing the support that she need as well as the support that the father needs. She offers an objective opinion and helps you to make good decisions, not emotional ones. She will help with determining needs of the parents and providing the communication necessary to the clinic or hospital staff.
Why Do I Need A Doula?
During the months prior to birth, the doula can play an important role. She can help provide a trusting friend to the mother that can help them find the information that they need to educate themselves and to help them make the decisions that they need to make.
During labor, there are many benefits to having a doula by your side. For example, you will have someone there that knows the family's wishes and that you trust that can make decisions for you with a clear head. She provides you with a mothering experience that can truly be beneficial emotionally to the mother. She can also help to make sure that labor goes the way that you want it to.
The doula can also make sure that the mother does not get unnecessary treatments such as drugs that she doesn't want or need. She will help with interventions with doctors to make sure that the most natural of births happen, if this is what you want.
After birth, the doula can provide help with bonding as well as with breastfeeding.
Becoming A Doula
Doulas have various roles in the birth of a child. In most cases, the doula should take classes to help prepare them to handle the needs of the mother. In some cases, she can be certified. Others are simply volunteers. Working with other doulas can help you to become one yourself.
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