Photo by John & Samantha Butler Photography
Let's explore some common myths:
Myth #1: "Doulas are only helpful if you want an unmedicated birth."
There's a common misconception that doulas only support people who want unmedicated home births, but that's just not the case!
Truth is, doulas support ALL types of births - whether you’re going for an elect Cesarean or if you want a home birth with as little intervention as possible, or if you’re planning a hospital birth with an epidural, or somewhere in between - ALL births and ALL families could benefit from having a doula as part of their birth team.
Physical support is only one aspect of a doula’s care, and the other aspects of emotional, informational and advocacy support may be all the more important in scenarios that require less of the physical.
Even if you end up getting an epidural, your doula can help you relax enough to sleep, use acupressure to help labour continue to progress and encourage baby to stay in an ideal position. She may also help you get into positions that make use of gravity but are appropriate for the limited mobility a labouring parent experiences during an epidural.
As your doula, I go where you want to go. Your birth is YOUR birth. I meet you where you are and support you in YOUR birth goals - whatever that looks like.
Doula Myth #2: “I’m hiring a doula to make sure I get the birth that I want”
While, yes, there is evidence that doulas improve birth outcomes, reduce the need for pain medications, epidurals and other interventions, no doula can guarantee a specific birth experience or outcome.
Listen, I would LOVE to walk alongside you and help see you have that VBAC, unmedicated birth, or empowered birth experience you want, but I can’t guarantee that that will happen, and that things will go as planned.
Having a trusted care provider, continuous labour and birth support (like that from a doula), becoming educated and informed about birth, and maintaining a healthy pregnancy are all factors that WILL increase your chances of having the birth that you want, though.
Doula Myth #3: "My doula will interfere with my partner's involvement"
Here's the thing - your partner has that intimacy, history and depth with you that nobody else has - they know you best, know what you like and what you dislike, etc - something your doula will never and could ever even try to replace.
And your doula brings their birth knowledge, labour tips and guidance to the table. We're constantly watching what's happening and preparing to step in or out as needed. We work WITH your partner, giving them guidance on how best to support you. I've helped partners do hip squeezes (which is great as you can tag team it for a long labour!) and gotten them involved in various position changes and tasks. It's a team effort and is lots of fun.
That's why doulas and partners make the best team - we complement each other and work together with the common goal of making sure you are supported, loved and your needs are met to the best of our abilities.
And let's not forget, partners need doulas too! We've all heard stories of poor dads fainting in the labour and delivery room as their baby is being born. I help ensure your partner is being taken care of too - that they are fed, hydrated, and given opportunity to rest so that no one is fainting when baby comes!
Doula Myth #4: "My doula will think I'm gross if I poop during labour"
Poop. Pee. Vomit. Mucus plug. Bloody show. Amniotic fluid.
Breasts. Butts. Vulvas. Vaginas.
We’ve seen it all and trust us when we say this:
WE.
DON’T.
CARE.
Pooping during labour is completely normal and probably happens 9 times out of 10. It’s actually a good thing as it's usually a sign your body is gearing up to push baby out. So yes, poop happens, and when it does, your nurse or midwife will discreetly clean it up and act like it never even happened.
And guess what, there is no need to apologize or act embarrassed!
So, no, your doula won't think you're gross for pooping during labour.
We'll just think you're quite normal.
Myth #5: "Doula support is just the latest overpriced trend.”
Fact: Doula support is not at all a new concept; it’s been around since the beginning of time. Women would give birth surrounded by others in their communities who had already given birth and would provide useful support to each other.
This only changed as birth became more medicalized (and more isolated and unsupported) and giving birth in a hospital became more of the norm in the west.
Thankfully, doula care is making a comeback and more are realising the importance of community support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
And doula support may seem overpriced to some, but I haven’t met a person yet who’s regretted investing in one.
And it’s actually such a modest investment compared to the health-related costs it could save you down the road.
We spend thousands of dollars on our weddings and don’t bat an eye, so why can’t we spend a small portion on something that will impact us AND our families for the rest of our lives? And just as people carefully plan, budget, and invest in their weddings, please also consider planning, budgeting for and investing in your birthing experience, postpartum, and your own body.
Hear me when I say - it is SO worth it.
YOU are so worth it.
Your mental and emotional health are so worth it.
Leave a comment below and let me know which one you loved the most!
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