A Doula? - 6 Good Reasons Why
‘Pregnant In Belgium’ is all about guiding pregnant expats towards a positive birth experience. We understand giving birth in a country, far from your family and home can be daunting and how having a doula by your side can empower and support you to have the best birth experience for you, your partner and your baby.
Here, Jane Piot, a British born, Brussels-based doula and breastfeeding counsellor shares 6 key reasons why hiring a doula can positively impact your birth experience supporting you prenatally, on through labour and birth and beyond.
In Belgium hiring a doula during pregnancy is not very common, but our popularity is growing and it is possible to find trained and experienced English-speaking doulas who can accompany you on your journey into parenthood.
When I tell people I am a doula, their response is either along the lines of ‘Ohhh that’s so wonderful, I had a doula for my first baby’, or else a rather uncomfortable look of incomprehension and too shy to ask what a doula is! Happily, the possibility of having doula support for pregnancy, birth and into the postnatal period is becoming more widely sought after and it is often through word of mouth that our services are promoted.
So what is a doula?
A doula is a professional who can provide physical, emotional and partner support before, during and immediately after childbirth. There are also postpartum doulas, who can support you and your baby in the days after birth.
Doulas create a safe and loving pregnancy and birth environment for you. They empower you to use evidence-based resources when making decisions about your care (together with your caregivers) by facilitating communication and ensuring your birth preferences are respected as far as possible. In some ways it's like having a good friend by your side who also happens to know a lot about childbirth! Doulas provide comfort and reassurance and will always respect and support your choices.
So why should you hire a doula?
Top 6 Reasons for Hiring a Doula
1. Emotional and physical support during labour
Comforting continuous presence: Doulas are trained to provide continuous emotional and physical support during labour and birth. By offering reassurance and creating an atmosphere of calm during labour, they can make labour feel less overwhelming. There are no shift changes with doulas; your doula will stay with you throughout the entirety of your labour. This continuity of care has been demonstrated to have immense benefits as discussed below.
Provision of comfort measures: Doulas are skilled in teaching and practicing comfort measures with you and your partner such as massage, breathing exercises, and changes in positioning that will help you to manage the intensity of your labour. Your doula will adapt to your needs throughout labour and finding the measures to best help you during different stages of your labour.
2. Shorter labour and reduced likelihood of medical interventions
Encouraging your body to do what it needs to do: Having a doula by your side fosters an environment of calm confidence which in turn allows your body to lean into the natural process of giving birth. Multiple studies indicate that having a doula by your side can:
shorten the amount of time spent in labour
lower the likelihood of medical interventions, including induction, epidural, forceps delivery and caesarean birth
Increase your satisfaction with the overall birth experience
3. Building confidence
Informed decision making: Doulas offer evidence-based information to help you and your partner make informed choices about your labour and birth and postpartum care. This knowledge empowers you to feel more confident in your decisions. It also helps you to have confidence in alternative options and a ‘Plan B’ in case something does not go the way that you were anticipating.
Addressing any concerns and fear of the unknown: During your antenatal preparation with your doula you can ask as many questions as you like and voice any concerns you may have. Your doula is an experienced guide and will listen to your concerns and provide you with relevant information and support to make the birthing process feel more manageable and safe.
4. Personalised support and advocacy
An established relationship before the birth: Seeking a doula in the third trimester of your pregnancy (or before) means by the time you give birth; you have developed a trusting relationship with your doula; she will be fully in tune with your needs which in turn instills confidence and calm for the day of your birth.
Personalised birth plan: Your doula works with you to create a birth plan that reflects your personal preferences and values. She will help you to understand different options available to you and to ensure that your wishes are communicated with your caregivers.
5. Partner Support
Involving your partner: A doula not only supports you as the birthing woman she offers guidance and encouragement to your partner, helping them stay fully engaged and connected during labour. This ‘teamwork’ between doula and partner creates a wonderfully collaborative and supportive environment for you. Plus, partners will be emboldened by how reassuring their involvement is and by what a difference they can make to your birth experience.
6. Postpartum Support
Emotional support after birth: The postpartum period can be challenging, with hormonal shifts and adjusting to life with a newborn. A postpartum doula can provide you with nonjudgmental emotional and practical support, helping you navigate these changes and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
Breastfeeding support: Many doulas have training in lactation support and can help you with breastfeeding by addressing any challenges early on. This can go a long way towards avoiding common problems and helping you to achieve your breastfeeding goals.
If you are thinking of hiring a doula to support you on your journey to parenthood, take your time to find ‘your doula’ - the right fit for you, where the chemistry feels right and you can imagine them accompanying you through one of the most amazing journeys in your life. Read more about support in labour and birth on Pregnant In Belgium: ‘Who Cares for You’ and Labour and Birth Support
Find out more about Jane at: www.doula-jane.com and the support that she offers.
Jane Piot: accredited doula Association francophone des doulas de Belgique.
