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FAQ

What is a doula?

  • There are typically two types of doulas. Birth doulas work with women providing continuous support during the labor and birth process.This includes emotional and physical support, education, information, and advocacy.
  • Postpartum doulas offer support to women after the birth of the baby. This postpartum support addresses the needs of the Mother-Baby dyad (meaning they are a unit one not being able to work without the other) and includes breastfeeding support, early parent education, newborn basics, easing into postpartum life, and mother-infant care.

Are childbirth classes really important?

InJoy eClass Preview: Understanding Birth

  • The value you place on childbirth classes depends on your commitment to prepare for your pregnancy and birth. If you want to make well-informed decisions with your midwife or doctor you should take a class.
  • A class will help you to learn what questions to ask, how to take care of yourself during pregnancy, how to prepare for labor, and newborn care and breastfeeding.
  • You can read about birth on the internet, but everything you read on the internet isn’t always helpful or true. In surveys women who participated in childbirth classes had fewer elective inductions and reported having a better birth experience. Your experience of giving birth is something which stays with you for the rest of your life. Our country believes childbirth classes are important enough to include them in its list of  Healthy People 2020 goals, “increase the proportion of pregnant women who attend a series of prepared childbirth classes.” (Healthy People 2020)

Is an induction healthy?

Inductions should only be used where the health of the mother or the baby are in danger. Do not use inductions for convenience. Spontaneous labor is safer. Spontaneous labor means that your body goes into labor when it’s ready to give birth. Unnecessary inductions increase the risk that you will have added medical interventions.This can potentially lead to a cesarean. Attending a childbirth class will help you understand this information more clearly and make healthy decisions. Watch this video about interventions.

What does the phrase “give your baby 39 weeks” mean?

  • Give your baby 39 weeks is a phrase used by the March of Dimes and health professionals who want you to understand that baby’s who are born after 39 weeks are healthier.
  • Babies born earlier than 39 weeks have a higher risk of breathing and respiratory problems. They may even suffer from developmental delays.

How do I select a doula?

When you interview doulas remember the quality of your relationship is just as important their fee and the number of births they have attended. This is someone you will share some of your most intimate moments with. In addition to the usual questions asked during an interview don’t forget about the interpersonal aspect of the interview.During and after the interview seriously consider:

  • Does this seem like someone I can build a trusting relationships with?
  • Do we have similar beliefs about birth?
  • Did I feel listened to and understood during the interview process?
  • Did my support person and I feel comfortable during the interview?
  • In addition to her educational background is she up to date on the evidence supported best practices and research related to childbirth?

Can I have a doula at a cesarean birth and what do they do?

Yes, at a cesarean birth a doula will offer support specific to the needs of a surgical birth including breastfeeding after a cesarean. You can learn about the best time to have your cesarean birth, what to expect during surgery prep, and what to expect during recovery. Resources and referrals are given to you to help with preparation, physical and emotional adjustments.


 

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