Doula What?

Well, it's almost official.

As many of you may already know, I feel my calling in life is to be a midwife. I know it seems rather out of the blue and random but I can't even begin to describe how passionate I am about encouraging women to have the birth of their dreams, when possible.

For now though, since we're moving to Japan and we are planning on starting a family in the next couple of years, becoming a doula is the next best thing for me to do.

I will begin the certification process immediately, starting with an extensive reading list and a Birth Doula Workshop in January in Alabama. I will then need to attend several births and birthing classes...

Some people may find it strange that someone who has never experienced child birth on a personal level would have any inclination to this career field. All I can say to that is this. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed about having the ultimate birth experience. Weird? Maybe. :-) My Mom has inspired me to some degree by having all 5 of us girls naturally. I can remember with our youngest sister, while my Mom was laboring, she was getting our lunches ready for our school day. When she had a contraction she'd stop and work through it. Then a minute later it was like nothing had happened. It amazed me. She knew her body so well that they were able to stay at home for quite some time before needing to really get to the hospital to deliver. I do believe that the American culture has created a stigma of fear, terror and unmanageable pain to go along with natural child birth. Women have been birthing children for a millennia with the support of other women and a knowledgeable midwife. Of course I don't say all of this to discount the importance of Obstetricians!!

What is a doula? The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. A Birth Doula Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth Stays with the woman throughout the labor Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Why use a Doula? Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for. Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals Research shows parents who receive support can: Feel more secure and cared for Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics Have greater success with breastfeeding Have greater self-confidence Have less postpartum depression Have lower incidence of abuse

Anyway... :-)

Please keep my endeavors in your prayers as I finally embark on a career journey that will ultimately affect the lives of many women and babies!