Labor and Postpartum Support
Historically,
women have given birth in the presence of and with the support of other
women. Throughout time, artistic representations have depicted laboring
women surrounded and supported by at least two women. A doula is the
modern equivalent of that woman who has knowledge, experience with, and
an innate desire to help the laboring couple to have a positive birth
experience.
Most partners feel more comfortable when a doula is
present because they can focus on what they are good at -providing
hugs, kisses, love and invaluable support based on all of the committed
time that they have already spent with the laboring woman. The doula,
then, can focus on helping the laboring woman through position changes,
massage, counter pressure and a knowledgeable account of the
physiological stages of labor and/or whatever medical interventions
might become necessary.
Having said that, in the late 1970s, Drs
John Kennell and Marshall Klaus, while investigating ways to enhance
maternal-infant bonding, found that "introducing a doula into the room
not only improved the bond between mother and infant, but also seemed
to decrease the incidence of complications". A doula remains present
with the laboring woman throughout the entire labor and usually assists
with breastfeeding in the first few hours after the baby is born. And
perhaps it is this presence and attention to the mother's needs that
reduces the incidence of complications.
After giving birth to their
baby with the support of a doula, most couples will exclaim, "I
couldn't have done it without you!" What they are really saying is that
they have felt the positive experience of birth. They didn't feel alone
or helpless or acted upon. A doula completes the community of people it
takes to allow a woman to give birth to her baby. The laboring woman,
ultimately, is the one who does the most important work, but her
partner, health care provider and doula are there to make sure that she
feels lifted up in an event that she will remember and refer to as the
most powerful experience of her life.
Typical labor support includes:
- On-call availability to answer any questions by email or by phone
- A prenatal visit to discuss intentions and hopes for the birth
- Continuous support throughout the entire labor
- Assistance with breastfeeding after the baby is born
- A postpartum visit in the hospital or at home
The cost of labor support services is $1,500
Typical postpartum services include:
- Facilitating infant care:
Bathing
Diapering
Holding techniques
- Breastfeeding support
- Running errands and shopping for groceries
- Assisting with household organization
- Preparing healthy and delicious food
- Offering a listening, non-judgmental ear
- Holding the baby so family can rest
- Phone contact as needed
The cost of postpartum services is $40/hr
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