 Traditional Birth Support
Traditionally women experienced in childbirth - either having birthed themselves or as women who accompanied experienced birth supporting women - have always provided the physical and emotional support a woman and her partner needed during the birth of their child. Today she also needs to provide resources for informed-decision making and facilitate communication between the parents and careproviders as more and more births take place in a medically managed model. Today the catch-all term for birth support is "doula" however we continue to use the term "labor assistant" or "traditional birth support" as we remain independent to share our entire range of knowledge and experience.
A labor assistant's physical support usually ranges from the most basic skills of reminding mothers of positioning changes to non-pharmacological coping mechanisms such as birth massage, aromatherapy and traditional rituals. Her suggestions will be based on her experiences with laboring mothers as well as any certified training she may have received.
Generally you should interview more than one labor assistant to find someone whose approach to birth and personality best melds with yours. Services usually include prenatal consultations, support during labor and birth and a postpartum visit. At the time of the interview you may wish to discuss her availability, fees and experience, as well as her style and philosophy. In general healthy birth is at the heart of training from any individual organization however the degree of involvement that you may desire your birth assistant to have in your birth is a necessary exploration and discussion that must take place.
Your birth assistant should have in-depth knowledge of your local birth careproviders and birthplace options. She may or may not be experienced as a childbirth educator or provide additional services such as postpartum care or breastfeeding support. However, she should be knowledgeable about these services in your area and be able to provide excellent referalls.
Many couples find themselves trying to decide if they wish for a birth assistant who can also provide childbirth education, one who provides comfort measures only or hiring her for comfort measures and additionally exploring birth planning and labor knowledge with an experienced independent childbirth educator. If you are in an area with very limited birth options (i.e. homebirth is illegal or stand alone birth centers are not available) we do recommend that parents seek every available opportunity for information and birth support.
All evidence available regarding birth assistance supports the positive immediate impact we have on mothers and a healthy birth experience including the decreased need for both drugs, augmentation (i.e. induction) and a decreased rate of surgical birth (cesarean). |
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